DOMAINE DENIS MORTET Mes Cinq Terroirs, Gevrey-Chambertin

Just after Patrick Landanger purchased Pousse dOr in 1997 he sold the Santenay Les Gravières but acquired a massive 3 hectares of Corton, Clos du Roi. Half of this is leased out to Louis Latour who exploited all 3 hectares previously. Aged in French oak barrel (30% new) for 18 months with minimal sulphur addition and bottles, unfined and unfiltered, this is modern corton; relatively approachable in its youth but can be cellared long term too.

Bright, intense colour and complex aromas evoking violet and black cherry with notes of truffle and game. Good balance between texture and acidity with a long aftertaste.

DOMAINE HENRI MAGNIEN Gevrey Chambertin 1er cru Champeaux , Gevrey-Chambertin

DOMAINE HENRI MAGNIEN Gevrey Chambertin 1er cru Cazetiers , Gevrey-Chambertin

DOMAINE HENRI MAGNIEN Gevrey Chambertin 1er cru Lavaux St Jacques , Gevrey-Chambertin

LAURENT PONSOT Cuvée de la Violette, Chambolle-Musigny

Cuvée de lAulne Gevrey-Chambertin A blend of grapes purchased from seven or eight growers, across 10 to 12 different communal parcels smattered throughout the village. Again, this is the approach that Ponsot advocates in order to glean the essence of the regional terroir, in this case that of a single lauded village. Red and dark fruit essences mesh with the smoked meat parlayed by Gevreys heavier, ferrous limestone. A richer wine in the context of Burgundy, without the edges and creases that need too much smoothing with time in the cellar. Accessible across the earlier to mid-term.

HIRSCH VINEYARDS West Ridge Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast