The second tasting of 2021 was conducted again via Zoom and we had a phenomenal turnout of 140 people over three nights for the Teddington and Richmond Wine Societies.
Burgundy always generates a keen interest and a top line-up of wines beckoned. It is a hallowed wine region where some of the worlds finest whites and reds can be found and yet it can also be frustratingly complicated.
It is definitely not a place to look for bargains and there is rarely a clear line that defines the relationship between price and quality.
However, it is the subtleties, nuances and moments of supreme joy that these wines can elicit that keeps people returning to Burgundy.
We kicked off with a excellent example of classic Chablis from the up and coming Sebastien Dampt. He has established an excellent reputation in a very short time and his wines express the perfect balance of crisp fruit and minerality.
Heading to just south of Dijon, we took in a rare Marsannay Blanc 2016. Only 27 hectares of Marsannay are planted with Chardonnay and this was superb. Full of ripe fruit, well balanced oak and with a long finish.
This was followed by an utterly sublime Santenay 1er cru Passetemps. This spent 10 months undergoing a long slow fermentation with indigenous yeasts and 19 months in oak. Fabulously rich and complex, it fully deserved its £40 price tag.
Both the Marsannay and Santenay were from the J-C Boisset estate that is producing some stunning wines under the tight control of the legendary Gregory Patriat.
Onto the reds and a gentle start with a Bourgogne Rouge – or so we thought. This was a tour de force that blew away the notion that a simple AOC Bourgogne Rouge was straightforward. This was a superb example from the acclaimed George Glantenay family estate that oozed ripe fruit, amazing intensity of flavour and fabulous length. At £25 a bit more than average but worth every penny!
The Mercurey 1er Cru 2017 les Puillets showed a pleasant maturity and illustrated the lighter style of the Cote Chalonnaise before we moved onto the stunning Chorey-les-Beaune from Tollot Beaut. This fabulous family estate has put this little village just north of Beaune on the map. Amazing intensity of fruit, superb balance and an utter joy to drink.
We rounded off the evening with a superb Nuits St Georges from Mongeard-Mugneret – another fabulous family domaine. This was deep and intense with great structure that was just starting to demonstrate its complexity. A wine for keeping without doubt, though at some damage to your wallet…
All the wines are listed in the wines we have tasted page.
