Burgundy 2010 – Vintage Review by James Goodhart.

It is most definitely a vintage for ‘Burgundy lovers ‘ No hype’ like in 2009. On the whole the quality of the 2010s varies a lot more between producers and villages. Where the 2009’s were luscious, seductive more fruit driven, the best of 2010s are elegant, refined more precise in balance between the acidity and the fruit and we think have the potential to lay down for longer. Reminds me of a beautiful, well educated, classy, long legged filly with plenty of staying power!

It was a vintage with many problems, challenging growing conditions which started with temperatures of minus 20 degrees in December 09 which killed an average 5% of vines and weakened numerous more. Cold and wet conditions during the crucial flowering resulted in loss of crop due to coulure and millerendange. The Summer was very wet giving more problems of rot and disease. September was dry and cool which saved the vintage however this resulted in concentration of the grape must and very small grapes. Sorting tables to select the best bunches was essential.

Back at the winery the low yields meant a high ratio of skin to juice which can result in high tannins, body and colour unless monitored correctly. The 2009 vintage in comparison almost made itself whilst the 2010 vintage needed an expert hand and gentle guidance.

My overall view is that the 2010 is richer and riper than the 2008 and 2007 vintages and more in-line with the 2006 and 2002 vintage. Commenting on the 2010 vintage, Arnaud Mortet (Domaine Denis Moret) says “ A great vintage and one of the best for 10 years. I prefer 2005. There is not the same weight, but the balance is very nice. 2009 was fruity and flattering, but for me the 2010 has more freshness, elegance and is more Pinot Noir”.

For me it’s more about the acidity balance, more typical classic burgundy, that will offer more longevity than the 2009’s. We have tasted many wines over the last month and have selected the producers we feel have made the best wines of the vintage, our highlights include: Domaine Faiveley, Rossignol Trapet, Nicolas Potel at Maison Roche de Bellene and Bertrand Ambroise.

Investment Wine

The Grand Cru Red Burgundies are increasingly becoming more front line / first grade investments. With China showing more interest in the better Burgundy Domaines and more sophisticated, they are looking for investments outside of Bordeaux. Prices are starting to move, allocations are under more and more pressure with is a good sign.

The 2010 Grand Cru and 1er Cru are all down on allocations due to the lower yields and increase in international demand. Many of these have been sold on allocation.

See our full list of Burgundy 2010, or you can see the wines we have available from the producers we have bought from this year -

Domaine Faiveley

Domaine Faiveley with 115 hectares split between an estate of 78 hectares in Mercurey and 37 hectares in the Cote d’Or is one of the largest vineyard owners in Burgundy. Now under the guidance of Erwan Faiveley who took over in 2004 he mixes the principles of modern oenology with tradition maturation in French oak barrels, in their 19th C vaulted cellars. The vineyards are run with dramatic precision, nothing is left to chance, from selecting the vines, Faiveley replant around one/thirtieth of the vineyard each year, to ensuring low yields though guyot-pruning and strict ebourgeonnage and if necessary a green harvest further reduces the crop. The quality of the 2010’s is without doubt a vintage of classic excellence, the Domaine has achieved great consistency throughout each of the villages.

Maison Roche de Bellene – Nicolas Potel
It is always a pleasure to see Nicolas his passion for Burgundy wine is tremendous and very infectious. Maison Roche de Bellene’s philosophy is to select only the best grapes working with the vineyards to produce outstanding wines, to produce what he calls the “Haute Couture” of wine. Nicolas is a great believer in biodynamics and is working towards Organic status in the vineyards.

“Not the richness of the 2009, more the style of 2002 with good acidity and not too much tannin” Nicolas Potel

Nicolas has matured some of some of his wines in 600 litre demi cask to make sure the wines don’t get over oaked / dry out. The 2010 vintage, is a vintage of subtly.

We met Nicolas in London so we didn’t have the chance to taste all his wines but both Samantha and I walked away grinning ear to ear, In one word Nicolas’s 2010 are ‘stunning’ and he offers some of the best value in the Côte de Nuits. It is no surprise that he is now selling wines in 42 countries around the world.

Rossignol Trapet
Quality has soared since brothers Nicolas and David Rossignol converted the domaine to biodynamic viticulture. In particular, the wines display significantly more depth and concentration than when they took over from their father in the 1990s. In 2010, they picked late, starting on 29th September, in order to obtain the maximum ripeness and maturity. The yields are the lowest since the early 1990s and the wines have unusual richness and structure as a result. It’s getting harder and harder to get an allocation. They impressed me greatly.

Bertrand Ambroise
Bertrand and his son François own just over 16 hectares of vines in Nuits St George and Corton. In 2010 yields were low after poor weather during the crucial flowering period reduced the potential size of the crop. Harvesting, however, took place in good weather at the end of September and beginning of October. Ripeness was perfect and not a single wine required chaptalisation. Bertrand will bottle the 2010 reds a few months earlier than last year in order to preserve the maximum of fruit.

I was hugely impressed by Bertrand Ambroise 2010 and actually prefer them to the 2009’s which were glitzy and more fruit driven. His 2010 are more classy and elegant with a tremendous acidity / fruit balance. Both Bertrand and myself think they will cellar for longer. Bravo.

Bertrand described his wines as “almost perfect, great concentration, really good balance with ripe tannins and longevity”

For further informtion contact Bon Coeur Fine Wines Ltd – Tel: 01765 688200

Alex, one of our Trade Sales Managers has been busy building a fort for his son (probably for his school project!) Alex is rather proud of it so we thought we just had to give you a look at this handy work!

Bravo Alex! Fantastic up-cycling effort.

Greetings from a very wet and wild Yorkshire. We have managed to go through all the orders from our Christmas wine tastings and here are the results for our Top Ten Selling Wines as chosen by you the customer.

I hope you find it useful. We still do sell a lot of Mapu Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon  (£6.49) from Mouton Rothschild Chilean winery but we haven’t been pushing it as stocks are low until the 19th when our next shipment arrives. We have about 10 cases of each left. 

You can go to the website and view these top selling wines or click on the individual links below.

Top Five Selling White Wines

1. Sauvignon Blanc, Olivier Thierriaz 2010 - £6.99

This is made by one of our Sancerre producers. Very close to Sancerre quality.

2. Pinot Grigio Sentito 2010 – £6.49

This has made a good impact – even ordered by some big hitters who normally buy £20+ wines

3. Chablis, Billaud Simon 2009 – £12.99

This is our top Chablis. We showed it along side the Seguinot Bordet Chablis (£10.99). and 2/3rd reckoned it was worth the upgrade.

4. Wild Rock ‘Infamous Goose’ Sauvignon Blanc 2011, New Zealand – £8.49

This is made by Craggy Range which in our view is one of the top 5 NZ producers.  Fresh, young and full of passionfruit.

5. Sancerre, Olivier Thierraiz 2009 - £11.99

Two wines in the top Five !! Need I say more.

Top Five Selling Red Wines

 

1. Chateau La Roca, Cotes de Roussillon 2008 – £6.99

Just drinking really well. Warm, juicy fruit from near the Spanish border

2. Viña Palaciega Rioja Reserva 2006 – £9.99

New Rioja – showed really well. Two years in American oak barrels

3. Chateau Pomies de Agassac, Cru Bourgeois 2002 – £10.99

We decanted this at the tasting as it has a bit of sediment. Lovely mature claret with surprising fruit for its age.

4. Kaiken Malbec, Argentina 2010 – £7.99

Rich, luscious modern styled red with some creamy, vanilla oak. 45 cases sold last week !!

5. Cotes du Rhone, Ferme du Mont Premieres Cotes 2009  – £8.99

This was actually top selling wine at the Newmarket tasting. 90 points from Robert Parker.

See below for one of our latest special offers  – great wines from Marques de Murrieta in Spain. 

Marques de Murrieta is a family run business, their vineyards stretch to almost 300 hectares in the southernmost part of the Spanish wine region of Rioja Alta.  Here the temperatures are higher than in the neighbouring sub-regions of La Rioja.  This, along with the fertility of the soil provides a high quality vine.  The wines are produced with 100% of their own grapes (one of the few Spanish wineries to do this).  Thus ensuring the high quality standards of winemaking from the vine, to the grape, to the wine, to the glass. 

 Castillo Ygay, Gran Reserva 2001                              £29.99 per bottle                              
“The 2001 Catillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial was previously slightly underrated. This cuvee is sourced from a single

 plot called La Planta planted over 1500ft of elevation. It is made up of 93% Tempranillo and 7% Mazuelo chosen for its acidity. The wine is aged for 10 months in new American oak followed by 21 months in seasoned oak. It is held in bottle for 3-4 years prior to release. Deeply coloured, spicy, elegant and complex, the wine has great volume and grip as well as expectional length. It can be approached now but will easily have a 30-year life span” 94 points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate Issue 195 30/06/11

14% in alcohol

Price Check
LOWEST ON THE MARKET.  – Bordeaux Index are next best value at £31.67 and the Wine Society is at £34.
It comes in a wooden Presentation case (6x75cl)

Also do NOT miss the

Marques du Murrieta Reserva Rioja 2005                  £12.99 per bottle was £14.99 SAVE £24
“Bright red. Fresh red berry and spice aromas suggest a higher percentage of garnacha. Suave, energetic red berry flavors stain the palate, nicely braced by tangy mineral and spice qualities. The finish repeats the red fruit note and hangs on tenaciously” Stephen Tanzer 91 Points
Price Check
LOWEST ON THE MARKET Roberson’s are priced at £13.17 equivalent by the case.

My Personal thoughts on the 2009 Port Vintage

Samantha and I tasted all the 2009 Ports at the London International Wine Trade Fair (LIWTF) in May at Excel. We tasted some single Quinta (Vineyard) wines from Warres (only about 200 cases produced) and Quinta do Vesuvio. Incredibly small volumes, hugely concentrated with slightly raisons / dates characters. We went on to taste the Fladgate Partnership ports which consists of Taylors, Fonseca, Croft and Skeffington. We tasted them with Adrian Bridge, CEO at The Fladgate Partnership.

 

The Fladgate Partnership ports are in a totally different class. Impressive, mega sweet fruit, juicy, concentrated with power, structure but also with a fantastic acidity / lift that put them in a different sphere in my view. I asked Adrian why have they made a first class vintage and yet Dow’s and Graham’s haven’t declared. He didn’t really want to answer in case he was seen to be slagging off the competition (Fair enough), however reading between the lines either they either mis-read when to pick or they simply picked too late.

“In over three centuries of making great ports, we have seldom seen four outstanding vintages come along in a decade. Like the great landmark vintages of the early twentieth century, the ‘09s are built for long term ageing” Adrian Bridges

“we have not seen colour intensity and tannic grip like this over twenty years. In addition the quality of the fruit is impressive and the wines are supported by excellent acidity” David Guimaraens The Fladgate Partnership’s head winemaker.

 

Taylors 2009

12 x 75cl                      Taylors Vintage Port 2009                                            £390 In Bond

6 x 75cl                        Taylors Vintage Port 2009                                            £200 In Bond

Going back and forth, the Taylor’s 2009 has a lighter nose than the 2007 with precise dark cherry, Seville orange, fresh fig and a hint of scorched soil. The palate is full-bodied packed with ripe black cherries, fresh fig and white pepper; very harmonious and focused although I feel that the 2007 has a little more depth and persistency. Very pretty and very pure, this Taylor’s may well put on weight with a couple of years in bottle and merit a higher mark. Tasted May 2011” Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, June 2011 95 POINTS

Taylors ‘Quinta de Vargellas Vinha Velha 2009

Limited – still waiting to see if I have an allocation. Let me know and I will do my best. One for the Wine collector.

3 x 75cl                        Taylors ‘Quinta de Vargellas Vinha Velha 2009           £270 In Bond

“The Taylor Vargellas Vinha Velha 2009 has a more introverted than Taylor’s Vintage, an earthy bouquet with touches of orange essence developing in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, good backbone, quite reserved and composed at the moment. This is not a flamboyant Vinha Velha, but there is a very attractive, slightly biscuity quality towards the finish. Superb. Tasted May 2011” Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, June 2011 94 POINTS

 

Fonseca 2009

12 x 75cl                      Fonseca Vintage Port 2009                                          £380 In Bond

6 x 75cl                        Fonseca Vintage Port 2009                                          £195 In Bond

“The Fonseca 2009 has a very ripe sweet prune and fig-tinged bouquet that is very precocious. Touches of smoke, raisin and dark plum begin to emerge with time, though it needs to evolve a little more cohesion. The palate is full-bodied with saturated tannins, luscious dark berried fruit, touches of pomegranate, fig and dates that lead to a gently grippy, persistent finish. This is a fine Fonseca, but I wanted it to give me more flamboyance and brio. Tasted May 2011” Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, June 2011 93 POINTS

 

Croft 2009

12 x 75cl                      Croft Vintage Port 2009                                                £310 In Bond

6 x 75cl                        Croft Vintage Port 2009                                                £160 In Bond

“The 2009 Croft has a very pure pretty bouquet with ripe blueberry and dark plum-scented bouquet. Fine definition although not quite as complex as I remember the 2007 at the same stage. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe, supple tannins, moderate acidity, harmonious with a plush blackberry, crème de cassis and spice-tinged finish. Good potential, although I think the 2007 has an intellectual edge. Tasted May 2011” Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, June 2011 93 POINTS

Finally, One for the Children, Grand Children and God Children

 

Vintage Collection Tri-Pack 2009

This contains 1 bottle of each Taylors, Fonseca and Croft in a wooden presentation box

3 x 75cl                        Vintage Collection Tri-Pack                                         £110 In Bond

Current Duty level on Port is £28.94 ex vat per 12x75cl, £14.47 ex vat per 6x75cl and £7.24 ex vat per 3x75cl bottles. VAT is at 20%. The Port will arrive in Bond in January 2012. There is a chance it may arrive before Christmas but the ‘time window’ is small and difficult to guarantee.

These wines are under allocation.  If you would like to buy these please contact us - 01765 688200 

Jamie Goodhart, Managing Director, Bon Coeur Fine Wines

A review of Yesterday’s releases. A brace of Pauillac’s and a big gun St Julien.

Pontet Canet has just come out….trying to get allocations and I will try and offer it to those who bought last year first

Gruaud Larose, St Julien 2010 £530 per case. This works as it’s a big name and the quality has taken a jump up to warrant the price. Very Limited be quick

Haut Batailley, Pauillac 2010 £320 has also moved through the ranks (and so has the price) but the rise in quality has justified the price increase. Best Haut Batailley and Xavier Borie thinks it is the best since the 1961 – It’s very good. RECOMMENDED

Finally we have the Haut Bages Liberal 2010, also at £320 – all Tasting notes are on the website – I have included my tasting notes for these En Primeur 2010 - JG below.

Gruaud Larose, St Julien 2010                                              Released at £530

Tasted at the UGC Tasting at Branaire Ducru. 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot. Abundant blackberry and cassis. Sweet, ripe fruit black fruit, Luscious, almost juicy fruit with nice minerality and subtle tannins which mean that it can be drunk early. Drink 2015-2028. (April 2011) JG

Haut Bages Liberal, Pauillac 2010                                         Released at £320

Tasted at the UGC tasting at Branaire Ducru. Chateau on the up. With neighbours of Latour and Pichon Baron. Black currants and bilberries. Excellent structure on the palate, silky tannins, luscious fruit with minerality and an elegant acidity balance. Excellent Pauillac. Drink 2018-2027.  (April 2011) JG

Haut Batailley, Pauillac 2010                                                £320

Tasted at Grand Puy Lacoste. Blackberry fruit with a touch of summer fruits, graphite. Very precise, like a slightly toned down GPL – similar in style. Xavier Borie thinks it’s on par with the 1961. One of the best Haut Batailley that I have tasted. Very good. Drink 2018 to 2028. (April 2011) JG

Ch de Fargues, Sauternes (considered to be Yquem’s little Sister) was released yesterday at £900

I haven’t bought any as I think the Suduiraut 2010 (£550), Doisy Daene 2010 (£315) and Clos Haut Peyraguey 2010 (£365) are the star buys at the top end of Sauternes and for an good entry level Sauternes the Ch Liot 2010 is hard to beat at £149.

Today’s releases

Denis Durantou from Eglise Clinet has released his other right bank wines that are always superb value for money. Slightly modern in style, very well made. You just can’t go wrong with them. They are all recommended. The Les Cruzelles is worth the upgrade – Tim Atkins has described it as a ‘mini Eglise Clinet and given it 93 points.

 

Chateau La Chenade, Lalande de Pomerol 2010                             £120

“Bright fruit with plum and chocolate with violets and berries. Full and bright with firm tannins. Intense. Wild fruit” 91-92 Points James Suckling JamesSuckling.com

 

Chateau Saintayme, St Emilion 2010                                                £120

“Denis Durantou’s pure Merlot from Saint Emilion was picked between 6th and 9th September has a precocious nose with super-ripe plum, mulberry and a touch of fresh fig. The palate is medium-bodied with a rounded velvety texture, low acidity, very caressing on the vanillary finish. Plush and seductive. Tasted April 2011” 88-90 points Neal Martin, eRobertParker.com

 

Chateau Les Cruzelles, Lalande de Pomerol 2010                          £180

“From the proprietor of the well-known Pomerol estate of L’Eglise Clinet, the 2010 Les Cruzelles, a sleeper of the vintage, is an amazingly constituted effort that transcends its humble appellation. Aromas of black raspberries, licorice, truffles and camphor are followed by a sweet, round, opulent, generous wine that should be consumed over the next decade” 90-93 points Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (194)

“This is pure Merlot. So much chocolate and vanilla character. Full and velvety, with lovely fruit.” 90-91 Points James Suckling JamesSuckling.com

Other Releases today

Personally I struggled with the Potensac however it’s hugely popular and everyone else seemed to like it . The Fombrauge never really goes up much in value – modern styled but good.

Chateau Potensac, Cru Bourgeois, Medoc 2010                         £180

Tasted at Leovilles Lascases (and owned by Leoville Lascases). Very popular claret on the UK market. To be honest struggled to taste – Too much tannins, tasted slightly raw, possibly green but surely not from this vintage – Judgement reserved” (April 2011) JG

“Traditionally made, yet exhibiting some modern touches such as ripe fruit, the 2010 Potensac is another sleeper of the vintage from this estate, owned by Jean-Hubert Delon, the proprietor of Leoville Las Cases. Classic Bordeaux notes of red and black currants, earth, and spice box are well-presented in this deep ruby/purple-colored, medium-bodied wine, which should drink nicely for a decade or more.”  87-89 points Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (194)

“The Potensac ’10 is a blend of 42% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot including 9.3% vin de presse. It offers 13.6% alcohol with a pH of 3.55. There is just a slight sense of sur-maturité on the nose perhaps from the Merlot, just a hint of prune. Not over the top but it is just there. The palate is full-bodied with succulent grippy tannins…a huge Potensac that is redeemed but very silky finish. Long in the mouth, one of the few 2010′s that actually reminds me of the 2009. Tasted March 2010.”   92-94 points’. Neal Martin, eRobertParker.com

“This is one of the fruitiest Potensacs that I remember, with loads of blueberry and currants. Full and velvety. Plenty going on underneath” 91-92 points’.James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com

“Very dark crimson. Rich and scented and very ripe black fruit on the nose. Loose texture – much more so than I would have imagined for this property in 2010 – with tightening tannins only on the very end. Almost painful levels of tannin and acidity on the finish. Bit of a trial to taste at this stage. Were stones macerated in the fermentation vat? A lesson in austerity.” 16/20 points. Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com

“Dense blackcurrant fruit, still backward, but much more class than its Médoc neighbours and a very good future. Drink 2015-25” 16.5/20 points Steven Spurrier, Decanter.com

Chateau Fombrauge, Pessac 2010                                                                £200

Tasted several times in April. Modern style, polished black fruits with liquorice and touch of graphite. Good Fombrauge from Bernard Magrez. Drink 2017-2022. JG

“From the largest estate in St.-Emilion (130 acres), the opaque purple-colored 2010 Fombrauge was produced from late harvested fruit (the harvest finished on October 21). It possesses fresh notes of blueberries, red and black currants, lead pencil shavings and espresso roast. Medium to full-bodied and rich with sweet tannin, it should drink nicely for 10-12 years” 90-92 points Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (194)

 

 

Celebrate Laurent Perrier’s Garden winning gold at the Chelsea Flower Show with our special offer of £38.40inc VAT a bottle.  Minimum order 12 bottles see our website to buy online or call us on 01765 688200.

The Laurent Perrier Garden was designed by Luciano Giubbilei.  Featuring the rare multi-stemmed Parrotia trees, the garden is understated using a restricted palate of plants which are repeated throughout.  The effect of this beautiful design is a flowing tapestry of colours that echo the tints in the Laurent Perrier Rose Champagne -

So why not celebrate their gold win and enjoy a glass of Laurent Perrier Rose at our special price.

For more special offers from Bon Coeur Fine Wines please go to http://www.bcfw.co.uk/store/offers/

Chateau de Sours Bordeaux Rose 2010 has been nominated wine of the week by Matthew Jukes writing in Money Week.  He is certainly a fan ”Beautifully balanced and incredibly mouth watering, 2010 de Sours Rose is a fabulous wine and it is certainly the finest vintage to date”.

We recently stayed at Chateau de Sours, the owner Martin Krajewski and his team have been doing some tremendous work at the Chateau – they are also doing their bit for the planet by using the underground cellars as a natural cooling system for the new cellars – a considerably effective and efficient air cooling system.  An extensive replanting programme has been underway for the last few years and the team are making better and better wines.  Bravo Martin its all coming together rather nicely.

If you would like to buy some Chateau de Sours Bordeaux Rose 2010 at our online wine shop.  Currently in stock at £9.95 a bottle whilst stocks last! 

Fancy trying the Chateau de Sours Sparkling Rose – lovely and refreshing, full of red berry and summer fruits – on offer now at £7.99 (was £9.99).

Great summer drinking – even Alan Titchmarsh on his ITV show called it “Probably the best Rose in the world” – well its in my fridge chilling for lunchtime!

Samantha Goodhart, Bon Coeur Fine Wines

Please click here for our Bordeaux En Primeur 2010 Review – written by James Goodhart, Managing Director of Bon Coeur Fine Wines.  James went out to Bordeaux at the beginning of April to the En Primeur Bordeaux 2010 tastings and has not only included the wine critic notes from the likes of Robert Parker, Neal Martin and Jancis Robinson but has also meticulously written his own tasting notes and review of the 2010 Bordeaux vintage.

To summarise James says “The Bordeaux 2010 is without doubt an excellent vintage and a unique vintage. A vintage of extremes, fantastic fruit, acidity, tannins and alcohol. To my knowledge we have never had a vintage with so many extremes, therefore it is hard to compare to another vintage. In terms of fruits it has the power and concentration of the 2005. The cool nights in August and September have resulted in higher acidity levels which often gives the wines a refreshing lift. The tannins are more apparent than the 2009 vintage however the fruit levels are more than a match and when all these components are blended well it is without doubt a fabulous vintage.

If you would like to follow our En Primeur campaign please follow us here on our Wine Blog or on Twitter @BonCoeurWine

If you are thinking of buying En Primeur 2010 do Contact Us

Thanks.