Cherisey bottles Premier Cru Chardonnay's and Pinot Noir's only. He believes, as do all the producers we visited today, that extended fermentation equals unbelievable clarity. That is why we were trying barrel sample's of 2008 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and not 2009. They allow fermentation to shut down in the winter and happen naturally, rather than raising the temperature in their cellar and speeding up fermentation, thus making a cloudy wine which requires filtration. Martelet told us that 2008 was not a classic year in Burgundy because of an early flowering and a lot of rain in summer. This allows for one to see different styles produced from vigneron to vigneron and from vineyard to vineyard.
Tasting order:
2008 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Chalumeaux-Malolactic fermentation did not finish until the '09 harvest (this is normally unheard of) This wine was exquisity..bananas, perfect minerality. The oak, fruit and malo were all in perfect harmony.
2008 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru 'Hameau de Blagny'-Orange Blossom, kiwi and lime with a creamy lush finish-again, perfect balance
2008 Meursault-Blagny 1er Cru 'La Genelotte'-a 'Genelotte' is the hen that the peasants used to offer the land owners. Toasty with apricots and mangos, very lush
2007 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Chalumeaux-lighter on pallette than the '08
2007 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru 'Hameau de Blagny'-I am noticing the '07s have a similar flavor profile to the '08's, but are more refined and elegant. I am not sure if this has to do with a year of bottle age or if it is because of vintage.
2007 Meursault-Blagny 1er Cru 'La Genelotte'-higher acidity than '08
2008 Blagny 1er Cru 'La Genelotte' Rouge-35 cases to US-75 year old vines-strawberry, rhubarb, cola
2007 Blagny 1er Cru 'La Genelotte' Rouge-unfined and unfiltered...much more earthy...didn't show the fruit that the '08 showed.
All Blagny, whether on Meursault or Puligny is called Blagny. All the deposits from the hillside vineyards settle to the bottom where the Blagny vineyards are. His vineyard is on the Meursault side.
Laurent Martelet
Domaine Amiot Guy et Fils
Thierry Amiot has been making wine for the Domaine since 1990. We tried a lot of wines from this producer. He has been know for his awesome B.G.O., but his premier Cru's ended up all running together and tasting the same, a fact that could either be from tasting too many at once, or the fact that they indeed did all taste the same. Others had similar comments in the group.
Tasting order:
2008 Bourgogne Aligote-undergoes malolactic, creamy, good, long finish, classic vintage
2008 B.G.O. Chardonnay-stainless elevage, really good for the money, still
2008 Bourgogne Blanc-1/3 in barrel;2/3 in tank...more minerality than B.G.O. nice balance between fruit and acid
2008 Chassagne-Montrachet Vielles Vignes-Really clean and beautiful, great fruit, good minerality
2008 Saint-Aubin 'Remilly' 1er Cru-only 5 barrels made-didn't care for this one
2008 Chassagne-Montrachet 'Macherelles' 1er Cru-35 year old vines, tons of green apples, only 12 barrels made.
2008 Chassagne-Montrachet 'Champgains' 1er Cru-10 barrels-more tropical fruits than the last
2008 Chassagne-Montrachet 'Les Bodine' 1er Cru-vineyard is on a hill, old vine blended in
2008 Chassagne-Montrachet 'La Maltroie' 1er Cru-much more lively on nose than the last three, more wood, more acidity
2008 Chassagne-Montrachet 'Clos. St. Jean' 1er Cru-fuller bodied, more lush fruit
2008 Chassagne-Montrachet 'Vergers' 1er Cru-Really good, subtle fruit up front-very seductive, little butterscotch
2008 Chassagne-Montrachet 'Les Chaumes' 1er Cru-real high on the hill, more minerality than last, buys grapes from Philippe Colin
2008 Chassagne-Montrachet 'Caillerets' 1er Cru-tender, young, supple wine, fresh young fruit, not much finish
2008 Puligny-Montrachet 'Les Demoiselles' 1er Cru-Lush with loads of lavender
2008 Le Montrachet Grand Cru-Really incredible with strong minerality!!! To put this in perspective...this bottle would cost anywhere from $7-800 in a retail store...over $1000.00 in a restaurant! WOW!!!
Thierry Amiot
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