Our first tasting was in Chassagne Montrachet at Domaine Paul Pillot. Thierry was his usual cheery self despite losing 70% of his 2016 crop! Very depressing for all but the wines did taste very well. The 1er Crus are delicious, particularly Grand Montagne and Grand Ruchottes.
Then on to Domaine Joseph Voillot in Volnay where we had a fabulous tasting with Jean-Pierre Charlot. As with so many domaines, his stock is hugely down in volume, on average 70%, but his Village Volnay is down 90%. There are some lovely wines but the Pommards showed the best on the day.
Down to the bottom of the Côte d’Or to our brilliant new producer, Justin Girardin in the appellation of Santenay. We tasted some glorious Santenays and a wonderful 2015 Chassagne 1er Cru Morgeot. We also discovered a lovely red 1er Cru Santenay which was very pretty and a great find.
Lunch was at the Le Cellier Volnaysien. We drank a 2014 Puligny Montrachet from Benoit Ente. As you would expect from the 2014 vintage it had great mineral drive. It was followed by a fabulous bottle of 2001 Pommard 1er Cru Rugiens Domaine Joseph Voillot.
Next stop was a fabulous tasting at Domaine Drouhin Laroze in Gevrey Chambertin with both Nicolas and Caroline. They had some frost damage but the Gevrey vineyards weren’t hit as hard as those further south. All the wines showed very well indeed. Their Village Gevrey was delicious, as were the Premier Crus, but Chambertin Clos de Beze was the star of the show.
Off to Domaine Fourrier, in their tasting room overlooking the fabulous vineyards in the evening sun. Always such a pleasure to run through his wines; the 1er Cru Gevrey Chambertins were fabulous with the Champeaux showing particularly brilliantly.
The final tasting of the day was with Domaine A F Gros in their cellars in Beaune. The wines were very impressive with lovely sweet fruits and concentration. Four village wines all showing very well, a beautiful Echezeaux and finally their Richebourg was absolutely gorgeous. What a way to finish the day, a very special wine.