PLANET OF THE GRAPES 2014 BURGUNDY EN PRIMEUR OFFER Introduction Unlike many merchants we have never produced en primeur offers as a matter of course; to do that you need to take the poor vintages to get offered the good vintages, and you need to take the lesser wines to get offered the great wines. Somehow the idea of having to sell bucket loads of wines that we wouldn t personally want to buy doesn t appeal. We prefer to wait for the good vintages, and offer wines only from producers we buy from throughout the year; that way we don t have to buy a pallet of Aligote to get a few cases of something sexy. In Burgundy 2014 was the vintage that was saved by a remarkable late summer. By the beginning of September many producers were saying that if it didn t stay dry until harvest they could have a disaster on their hands. Stay dry was exactly what the weather did, with barely a drop of rain until the grapes were safely in the cellars. What s more, it wasn t hot, as so many recent vintages have been. Long cool sunny days ripened the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay gently, with excellent acidity levels and ripe fruit the order of the day. Whites are probably more consistent than reds, but if carefully chosen there are some exceptional Pinot Noirs as well. Most producers consider 2014 to be the best vintage since 2010; some say since 2009. These are wines that are attractive already, but in many cases will repay medium term cellaring. The Producers All of the producers offered are favourites of ours; previous vintages of their wines have been sold by Planet of the Grapes in our bars and shops. We have tried to offer a range of the wines available from each domaine, but space doesn t allow us to offer everything. If there s any wine that you particularly want, we re happy to ask. Terms and Conditions All prices are quoted for cases of 12 x 75cl. In Bond prices are quoted lying in our bond at Seabrooks Barking. All release costs or transfer to other warehouses are the responsibility of the purchaser. Inc VAT prices include duty, VAT, and delivery to a central London address when the wine arrives in the UK. Delivery to other addresses will incur a further charge. Some of these wines are in very short supply and on allocation. We will try to be as fair as we can if a wine is oversubscribed, but we can only sell the wines we can secure from the domaines.
Domaine Gaëlle et Jérôme Meunier (Mercurey) With their startlingly minimalist labels and vineyards in Puligny-Montrachet, Domaine Meunier have never been an ordinary Cote Chalonaise domaine. Rumour has it that the 2014 wines will be more conventionally labelled; just as we ve got used to the old designs. The bulk of this domaine s tiny production is of Mercurey; the whites are clean and balanced, and the reds are fruit-driven and approachable. All of them are great value. However, it s from their vineyard holdings in Puligny that the sparks really fly; both the village wine and the premier cru are excellent, and represent great value for white Burgundy. Mercurey Blanc 115.00 in Bond 170.00 Inc VAT Mercurey 1er Cru Blanc 136.00 in Bond 195.00 Inc VAT Puligny-Montrachet Village 187.00 in Bond 255.00 Inc VAT Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Champs Gain 240.00 in Bond 320.00 Inc VAT Mercurey Rouge 112.00 in Bond 165.00 Inc VAT Mercurey 1er Cru Rouge 136.00 in Bond 195.00 Inc VAT Domaine Catherine et Claude Marechal (Bligny-Les-Beaune) This small domaine is proof that you don t need holdings in the greatest vineyards to make a name for yourself. Domaine Marechal doesn t even have any premier cru vineyards, but that hasn t stopped La Revue du Vin de France rating the domaine as highly as some of Burgundy s greatest names, and the wines selling out every year. Claude Marechal s mentor as a winemaker was the late Henri Jayer, and he faithfully follows the formula of low yields, total destemming and natural fermentation in open wooden vats. The results are superb; wonderfully expressive Pinots with silky tannins and cool velvety fruit. Bourgogne Blanc Cuvée Antoine 130.00 In Bond 185.00 Inc VAT Bourgogne Rouge Cuvée Gravel 130.00 In Bond 185.00 Inc VAT Ladoix Les Chaillots 165.00 In Bond 230.00 Inc VAT Chorey-Les-Beaune Village 165.00 In Bond 230.00 Inc VAT Auxey-Duresses Village 165.00 In Bond 230.00 Inc VAT Savigny-Les-Beaune Vieilles Vignes 260.00 In Bond 345.00 Inc VAT Volnay Village 260.00 In Bond 345.00 Inc VAT Pommard La Chanière 260.00 In Bond 345.00 Inc VAT
Domaine Christian Bellang & Fils (Meursault) This 9 hectare domaine has probably been our best find in the last couple of years, and if Planet of the Grapes has a House Meursault, then Christian Bellang s Meursault is it. Christian took over his father s Meursault domaine forty years ago, and immediately added his father-in-law s Savigny vineyards to his holdings in Burgundy vineyards still play a role in affairs of the heart More vineyards have been added over the years, and Christian s son Christophe now manages the domaine. The house style is relatively modern and elegant, with well-judged oak and clean stylish fruit to the fore. These are generally not wines for long-term cellaring, and are at their best when young and fresh. Bourgogne Chardonnay 98.00 in Bond 150.00 Inc VAT Savigny-Les-Beaune Blanc 136.00 in Bond 195.00 Inc VAT Meursault Village 195.00 in Bond 265.00 Inc VAT Meursault Les Tillets 215.00 in Bond 290.00 Inc VAT Domaine Denis Carré (Meloisey) Burgundy writer Clive Coates regards Domaine Denis Carré as one of the best values in Burgundy, and it s easy to see why. From its origins in the Hautes Cotes de Beaune the Domaine has put together an impressive array of vineyard parcels in some of the most prestigious Cote de Beaune villages without ever losing sight of either quality or value. The domaine is now run by Denis son and daughter, but the wines remain as good as ever. This is one of the rare domaines that is equally well respected for both reds and whites, with the Meursault Les Tillets a Planet of the Grapes favourite for many years now. Hautes Cotes de Beaune Blanc 99.00 in Bond 150.00 Inc VAT Bourgogne Blanc Sous la Velle 115.00 in Bond 170.00 Inc VAT Auxey-Duresses Les Vireux 162.00 in Bond 225.00 Inc VAT Meursault Vieilles Vignes 203.00 in Bond 275.00 Inc VAT Meursault Les Tillets 210.00 in Bond 285.00 Inc VAT Hautes Cotes de Beaune Rouge La Perrière 95.00 in Bond 145.00 Inc VAT Saint Romain Le Jarron 140.00 in Bond 200.00 Inc VAT Savigny-Les-Beaune Vieilles Vignes 140.00 in Bond 200.00 Inc VAT Beaune 1er Cru Les Tuvilains 207.00 in Bond 280.00 Inc VAT Pommard Village 207.00 in Bond 280.00 Inc VAT
Domaine Arnoux Père et Fils (Chorey-Les-Beaune) Pascal Arnoux is a fourth generation winemaker at this respected Cote de Beaune domaine which now comprises 20 hectares, spread over five villages. Winemaking is traditional; the wines are classic expressions of their terroir, with oak influence kept firmly in the background, and fruit to the fore. For the quality Domaine Arnoux s wines are exceptionally well priced, and the premier and grand cru reds will reward cellaring for some years. With the village wines starting at 15 per bottle with all taxes paid, this domaine is a great place to look for affordable traditional Cote d Or Burgundy. Chorey-Les-Beaune Blanc 125.00 in Bond 180.00 Inc VAT Savigny-Les-Beaune Blanc 136.00 in Bond 195.00 Inc VAT Pernand-Vergelesses Blanc 145.00 in Bond 205.00 Inc VAT Chorey-Les-Beaune Rouge 125.00 in Bond 180.00 Inc VAT Savigny-Les-Beaune Rouge 136.00 in Bond 195.00 Inc VAT Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er Cru Les Peuillets 175.00 in Bond 245.00 Inc VAT Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er Cru Les Guettes 175.00 in Bond 245.00 Inc VAT Beaune 1er Cru En Genet 195.00 in Bond 265.00 Inc VAT Beaune 1er Cru Les Cent Vignes 195.00 in Bond 265.00 Inc VAT Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru Les Fournières 355.00 in Bond 460.00 Inc VAT Corton Le Rognet Grand Cru 465.00 in Bond 590.00 Inc VAT Domaine Remoriquet (Nuits-Saint-Georges) Gilles Remoriquet took over this 10 hectare domaine some years ago from his father Henri, and vinifies his wines in the Nuits-Saint-Georges cellars that formally housed Domaine Francois Chauvenet. Domaine Remoriquet has impressive holdings in Nuits-Saint-Georges, including no less than four premier crus, as well as a plot in the Vosne premier cru Au Dessous des Malconsorts. Gilles Remoriquet prefers to ferment his wines in concrete tanks, feeling that they are easier to keep clean than wood, and prone to less variation in temperatures than stainless steel. He uses a small proportion of whole bunches, and never more than 30% new oak. The results are classic Nuits-Saint- Georges with firm tannins and the backbone to age gracefully. Bourgogne Pinot Noir 92.00 in Bond 140.00 Inc VAT Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits 110.00 in Bond 162.00 Inc VAT Nuits-Saint-Georges Village 185.00 in Bond 252.00 Inc VAT Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Allots 232.00 in Bond 310.00 Inc VAT Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Bousselots 310.00 in Bond 405.00 Inc VAT Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Damodes 310.00 in Bond 405.00 Inc VAT Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Rue de Chaux 310.00 in Bond 405.00 Inc VAT Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Saint Georges 375.00 in Bond 480.00 Inc VAT Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Au Dessous des Malconsorts 375.00 in Bond 480.00 Inc VAT
Domaine Bertrand Ambroise (Premeaux-Prissey) Bertrand Ambroise is an old friend of Planet of the Grapes, having hosted a highly entertaining tasting in the old Holborn shop; he is something of a character. His domaine is a true family enterprise. Bertrand and Martine Ambroise have built the domaine to 21 hectares, ably assisted by their son François and daughter Ludivine. The estate is organic and one of the few Côte d Or domaines to make equally fine white and red wines, all at great prices for the quality of the wines. White Wines: Bourgogne Chardonnay 118.00 in Bond 173.00 Inc VAT Ladoix 1er Cru Les Gréchons 270.00 in Bond 355.00 Inc VAT Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 800.00 in Bond 995.00 Inc VAT Bourgogne Pinot Noir (screwcap) 105.00 in Bond 157.00 Inc VAT Beaune 1er Cru Les Tuvilains 235.00 in Bond 315.00 Inc VAT Vosne-Romanée Aux Damaudes 308.00 in Bond 400.00 Inc VAT Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Vaucrains 510.00 in Bond 645.00 Inc VAT Corton Le Rognet Grand Cru 510.00 in Bond 645.00 Inc VAT Domaine Berthaut (Fixin) Amélie Berthaut took over the reins at her father s Fixin-based domaine for the 2013 vintage as well as inheriting some holdings in Vosne-Romanée from her mother, and has made an immediate impact. Domaine Berthaut s Fixin and Gevrey-Chambertin have always been well regarded, but even in the difficult 2013 vintage Amélie Berthaut has managed to get noticed. The wines of the northern Cote d Or have always been seen as more solid than sensuous, and as recently as the 2010 vintage that was true of this domaine s wines, but Amélie s aim is to produce a more elegant and feminine style; perhaps less suited to long ageing, but more expressive and forthcoming in its youth. This is certainly a domaine to watch. Bourgogne Pinot Noir 92.00 in Bond 140.00 Inc VAT Cotes de Nuits Villages 120.00 in Bond 175.00 Inc VAT Fixin Village 145.00 in Bond 205.00 Inc VAT Fixin Les Crais 173.00 in Bond 240.00 Inc VAT Fixin 1er Cru Les Arvelets 240.00 in Bond 320.00 Inc VAT Gevrey-Chambertin Village 207.00 in Bond 280.00 Inc VAT Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Cazetiers 330.00 in Bond 430.00 Inc VAT Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaux St. Jacques 378.00 in Bond 475.00 Inc VAT Vosne-Romanée Village 275.00 in Bond 360.00 Inc VAT Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Petits Monts 415.00 in Bond 530.00 Inc VAT Echezeaux Grand Cru 670.00 in Bond 835.00 Inc VAT
Domaine Michel Magnien (Morey-Saint-Denis) Frédéric Magnien is the fifth generation to run the family estate based in Morey Saint Denis. He joined his father, Michel in 1993 and has gradually tempered the style, reducing the amount of new oak and producing wines with more aroma, fruit and elegance without losing the trademark Magnien depth and richness. The domaine has expanded from 4 hectares in 1967 to 19 hectares today with the whole estate being farmed biodynamically since 2010. Fixin Village 165.00 in Bond 230.00 Inc VAT Morey-Saint-Denis Le très Girard 260.00 in Bond 345.00 Inc VAT Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Les Chaffots 440.00 in Bond 560.00 Inc VAT Clos-Saint-Denis Grand Cru 1000.00 in Bond 1230.00 Inc VAT Clos de la Roche Grand Cru 1000.00 in Bond 1230.00 Inc VAT Domaine Heresztyn-Mazzini (Gevrey-Chambertin) The old Domaine Heresztyn which we regularly bought from has moved on to the next generation; Florence Heresztyn and her husband Simon Mazzini, and the results are enormously encouraging. 2014 is only their third vintage, but the direction seems clear; balanced attractive wines with pure fruit and well-judged oak. This certainly seems to be a domaine to watch. Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 345.00 in Bond 445.00 Inc VAT Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru La Perrière 525.00 in Bond 660.00 Inc VAT Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Les Millandes 540.00 in Bond 680.00 Inc VAT Domaine Confuron-Gindre (Vosne-Romanée) When I first tried this domaine s wines from the difficult 2013 vintage, I wondered how a domaine making such good wines, and with such great vineyard holdings could have passed me by. The answer seems to be twofold; many of their vineyards are very small, and most of their wine is sold in France. Small allocations of the 2014 vintage will be available, but there s no guarantee that anyone will get everything they want. The style is quite traditional and classic, but the wines are very classy. Bourgogne Rouge 90.00 in Bond 140.00 Inc VAT Vosne-Romanée Village 275.00 in Bond 360.00 Inc VAT Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Chaumes 475.00 in Bond 600.00 Inc VAT Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Brûlées 475.00 in Bond 600.00 Inc VAT