CROMEY AUTUMN WINE PICKS
We have been looking through our cellars to see what we should bring up for year-end parties and special occasion meals. We’ve found a clutch of gems. A couple dozen in fact that will be drinking well for the coming holiday season.
WE GUARANTEE YOU A SELECTION OF SMALL-PRODUCTION ESTATE-BOTTLED BURGUNDY WINES THAT DRINK WAY ABOVE THEIR APPELLATION AND THAT ARE RIPE AND READY NOW.
A mixed case includes 2 bottles of each red and white with GROUND SHIPPING INCLUDED
REDS
Domaine Borgeot Santenay 1er Cru 'Les Gravieres' 2021
Not surprisingly, this Borgeot Santenay 1er Cru 'Gravieres' red comes from the same vineyard as their Santenay 1er 'Gravieres' white, just further down the slope where the soil becomes denser and red. ‘Gravieres’ is one vineyard with two different soil types, apt for two different wines. Sadly, many producers have succumbed to the temptation of the bottom line, and have replanted Chardonnay where there should be Pinot Noir. But not the Borgeots! Their 'Gravieres' red is their signature Pinot, with ripe dark fruits tinged with chocolate and coffee, rich, powerful and fat right through the lingering note of pure blackberry.
Jean-Claude Rateau Beaune 1er Cru ‘Les Reversées 2020
From young and old vines, on brown limestone subsoil and clay topsoil, in biodynamic agriculture. Long, slow day fermentation with manual pigeage, aged 18 months in not-new oak. Rich, showing deep aromas of blackberry, violets and earth with hints of citrus, plum and spice. The palate is round and ripe with firm acidity and deep black fruits ripe plum and earth going to a lovely long finish. While this can be enjoyed young it will be best after 5 to 7 years of aging.
Gabin and Felix Richoux Irancy 2018
The village of Irancy, one of the prettiest in all of Burgundy, is also famous for its black cherries. We’re not sure if it is subliminal, but this Irancy from Thierry Richoux always has a deep backdrop of black cherry. Floral and fine, it is a masterful wine from one of the great domains of Burgundy. Remember who told you that
WHITES
Domaine Germain Pere et Fils Saint Romain Blanc 2022
With admirable yields (45hl/ha), this Saint Romain white is taken seriously right from the start. Add 30% new oak and 8-9 months of aging and batonnage, and you get a very classy Chardonnay with the unique and superbly subtle Saint Romain minerality, full, rich and dense, with elegant floral notes, good acidity in its youthful charm. We found this wine on a restaurant list in Santenay and were so impressed we went the next day and became friends with the producers.
Jean Dauvissat Pere et Fils Chablis 2021
Chalky Chablis minerality makes you immediately think that this village Chablis comes from vines on the left bank of the Serein. Many of the Dauvissat holdings are there, near Milly, the hamlet at the foot of the Cote de Lechet. Here, deep berry fruit and lemon drop (orange, really) acidity produce a big, concentrated wine which is wide open on the palate, with a long rich finish driven on by that minerality. There’s a new kid on the block!
Domaine Jean Féry Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune 'La Petite Heulée 2021
Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune " La Petite Heulée " shows a pale yellow robe that glistens with silver. The nose is citric, with ripe white-fleshed pear. The toastiness of the oak comes next. And then a note of struck-match. The mouth is incisive, crystalline, fresh, with notes of ripe citrus, ending with a long generous finish. This Hautes Cotes de Beaune is vinified in French oak barrels with a part in ceramic egg-shaped vats. The maturation continues in these different containers until 12 months. At the end of the maturation, a light lenticular filtration is carried out before bottling.
Note: These wines are sourced from small producers, and so quantities are very limited. If ever we run out of a particular wine, we will substitute a wine of equal or greater value.