A mixed case (6 each) of the two great wines of Burgundy from a
historical vintage. Chassagne Montrachet (Chardonnay) and Bourgogne
(Pinot Noir) both from "98" Rated 2005...$510.00
The '05 Vintage in Burgundy has been unanimously hailed as the finest
in 30 years. The great wines of the region have always been
expensive...prices for the 2005s' are through the roof.
Those of us with limited financial depth need not write off this
vintage as one which is solely reserved for the high-end income
bracket. A responsible retailer will go the extra mile by finding
wines which exemplify the year while not setting their customer's
check-book on fire.
These are some of the most sought after wines on earth
Chateau de la Maltroye is considered something of a superstar in the
Cote de Beaune yet is not well known on this side of the pond. The
winery has always produced wines of great depth and muscular
structure. Owned by the Cournut family, the estate was purchased in
1940 (not the greatest time to start a new winery in central Europe)
when the small vineyard behind the "Chateau" had been converted to a
French version of a Victory Garden. Through hard work and a timely
growing appreciation of the wines made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
in the U.K. and America the Cournuts' turned their property into what
is today considered a quintessential example of a small Burgundian
Vineyard/Winery jewel.
Growers in Burgundy slyly call the summer of '05 as one of
"misfortune"...limited tonnage, maximum flavors.
The families winemaker, Jean-Pierre Cournut (an ex-aeronautical
engineer) began the harvest of 2005 by first thinning the bunches in
his vineyards in order to concentrate the nutrients and intensity of
the fruit remaining on the vine. Had he owned a crystal ball, he
would have been able to predict a hail storm near the end of the
growing season which further eliminated a significant portion of his
surviving grape clusters (in some portions of the property by as much
as 50%) thus producing final yields of only 2 tons/acre. The
remaining fruit benefited by receiving disproportionate amounts of
nutrients and sugars. The limited amount of wines produced from these
incredible grapes are massively extracted, thick and weighty...some of
the finest Chardonnays and Pinots to ever come from the property.
I had the privilege of tasting some of the Maltroye 2005's last week
and selected two which I felt represented the quality and depth of the
vintage.
*6-2005 Chateau de la Maltroye Chassagne Montrachet..."94"/RC
Gorgeous transparent yellow/gold color; nose of ripe apple and other
orchard fruits, caramel, sweet woods and a touch of coffee; the
texture is unbelievably sexy and silky with flavors of ripe golden
delicious apple, peach, sweet caramel, wild flowers, tangy citrus and
a touch of mineral. The finish goes on and on...the acids are
perfectly matched to the rich and dimensional texture...wow! What a
Chardonnay!"
*"91" Burghound..."Moderate wood influence frames floral and
relatively high toned and ripe orchard fruit aromas that dissolve into
rich but refined and detailed medium full flavors that are textured,
intense and tangy on the impressively long finish. This is not as
powerful as the Morgeot but there is real verve and personality here"
*6-2005 Chateau de la Maltroye Bourgogne..."92"/RC "A classic French
Pinot Noir; very ripe and fruit driven yet with that unique Burgundian
character which includes a touch of earthiness and tar. There are
subtle, integrated tannins and a touch of licorice in the round, rich
finish. While the fruit is the dominant factor, this wine has so many
competing elements its difficult to put your finger on the one
over-riding flavor...a very complex and intriguing Burgundy that will
only get better with a few years under its grapey little belt".
Here is a chance to buy, taste and cellar the two treat varieties of
Burgundy from the greatest vintage in decades at a very reasonable
price. (By Burgundy standards, these are bargains!) These wines are
selling out all over the world and our allocation will not last long.
$510.00/Case of 12...6 Bottles of each
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