PLANET OF THE GRAPES 2014 EN PRIMEUR OFFER

Introduction

Unlike many merchants we have never produced en primeur offers as a matter of course; to do that you need to take the poor vintages to get offered the good vintages, and you need to take the lesser wines to get offered the great wines. Somehow the idea of having to sell bucket loads of wines that we wouldn’t personally want to buy doesn’t appeal. We prefer to wait for the good vintages, and offer wines only from producers we buy from throughout the year; that way we don’t have to buy a pallet of Aligote to get a few cases of something sexy….

In Burgundy 2014 was the vintage that was saved by a remarkable late summer. By the beginning of September many producers were saying that if it didn’t stay dry until harvest they could have a disaster on their hands. Stay dry was exactly what the weather did, with barely a drop of rain until the grapes were safely in the cellars. What’s more, it wasn’t hot, as so many recent vintages have been. Long cool sunny days ripened the Pinot Noir and gently, with excellent acidity levels and ripe fruit the order of the day. Whites are probably more consistent than reds, but if carefully chosen there are some exceptional Pinot Noirs as well. Most producers consider 2014 to be the best vintage since 2010; some say since 2009. These are wines that are attractive already, but in many cases will repay medium term cellaring.

The Producers

All of the producers offered are favourites of ours; previous vintages of their wines have been sold by Planet of the Grapes in our bars and shops.

We have tried to offer a range of the wines available from each domaine, but space doesn’t allow us to offer everything. If there’s any wine that you particularly want, we’re happy to ask.

Terms and Conditions

All prices are quoted for cases of 12 x 75cl.

In Bond prices are quoted lying in our bond at Seabrooks Barking. All release costs or transfer to other warehouses are the responsibility of the purchaser.

Inc VAT prices include duty, VAT, and delivery to a central London address when the wine arrives in the UK. Delivery to other addresses will incur a further charge.

Some of these wines are in very short supply and on allocation. We will try to be as fair as we can if a wine is oversubscribed, but we can only sell the wines we can secure from the domaines.

Domaine Gaëlle et Jérôme Meunier (Mercurey)

With their startlingly minimalist labels and vineyards in Puligny-Montrachet, Domaine Meunier have never been an ordinary Cote Chalonaise domaine. Rumour has it that the 2014 wines will be more conventionally labelled; just as we’ve got used to the old designs.

The bulk of this domaine’s tiny production is of Mercurey; the whites are clean and balanced, and the reds are fruit-driven and approachable. All of them are great value. However, it’s from their vineyard holdings in Puligny that the sparks really fly; both the village wine and the premier are excellent, and represent great value for white Burgundy.

White Wine: Mercurey Blanc £115.00 in Bond £170.00 Inc VAT Mercurey 1er Cru Blanc £136.00 in Bond £195.00 Inc VAT Puligny-Montrachet Village £187.00 in Bond £255.00 Inc VAT Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru ‘Champs Gain’ £240.00 in Bond £320.00 Inc VAT

Red Wines: Mercurey Rouge £112.00 in Bond £165.00 Inc VAT Mercurey 1er Cru Rouge £136.00 in Bond £195.00 Inc VAT

Domaine Catherine et Claude Marechal (Bligny-Les-)

This small domaine is proof that you don’t need holdings in the greatest vineyards to make a name for yourself. Domaine Marechal doesn’t even have any premier cru vineyards, but that hasn’t stopped La Revue du Vin de rating the domaine as highly as some of Burgundy’s greatest names, and the wines selling out every year.

Claude Marechal’s mentor as a winemaker was the late Henri Jayer, and he faithfully follows the formula of low yields, total destemming and natural fermentation in open wooden vats. The results are superb; wonderfully expressive Pinots with silky tannins and cool velvety fruit.

White Wine: Bourgogne Blanc ‘Cuvée Antoine’ £130.00 In Bond £185.00 Inc VAT

Red Wines: Bourgogne Rouge ‘Cuvée Gravel’ £130.00 In Bond £185.00 Inc VAT Ladoix ‘Les Chaillots’ £165.00 In Bond £230.00 Inc VAT Chorey-Les-Beaune Village £165.00 In Bond £230.00 Inc VAT Auxey-Duresses Village £165.00 In Bond £230.00 Inc VAT Savigny-Les-Beaune ‘Vieilles Vignes’ £260.00 In Bond £345.00 Inc VAT Volnay Village £260.00 In Bond £345.00 Inc VAT ‘La Chanière’ £260.00 In Bond £345.00 Inc VAT

Domaine Christian Bellang & Fils (Meursault)

This 9 hectare domaine has probably been our best ‘find’ in the last couple of years, and if Planet of the Grapes has a ‘House Meursault’, then Christian Bellang’s Meursault is it.

Christian took over his father’s Meursault domaine forty years ago, and immediately added his father-in-law’s Savigny vineyards to his holdings – in Burgundy vineyards still play a role in affairs of the heart… More vineyards have been added over the years, and Christian’s son Christophe now manages the domaine. The house style is relatively modern and elegant, with well-judged oak and clean stylish fruit to the fore. These are generally not wines for long-term cellaring, and are at their best when young and fresh.

White Wine: Bourgogne Chardonnay £98.00 in Bond £150.00 Inc VAT Savigny-Les-Beaune Blanc £136.00 in Bond £195.00 Inc VAT Meursault Village £195.00 in Bond £265.00 Inc VAT Meursault ‘Les Tillets’ £215.00 in Bond £290.00 Inc VAT

Domaine Denis Carré ()

Burgundy writer Clive Coates regards Domaine Denis Carré as one of the best values in Burgundy, and it’s easy to see why. From its origins in the Hautes Cotes de Beaune the Domaine has put together an impressive array of vineyard parcels in some of the most prestigious Cote de Beaune villages without ever losing sight of either quality or value.

The domaine is now run by Denis’ son and daughter, but the wines remain as good as ever. This is one of the rare domaines that is equally well respected for both reds and whites, with the Meursault ‘Les Tillets’ a Planet of the Grapes favourite for many years now.

White Wine: Hautes Cotes de Beaune Blanc £99.00 in Bond £150.00 Inc VAT Bourgogne Blanc ‘Sous la Velle’ £115.00 in Bond £170.00 Inc VAT Auxey-Duresses ‘Les Vireux’ £162.00 in Bond £225.00 Inc VAT Meursault Vieilles Vignes £203.00 in Bond £275.00 Inc VAT Meursault ‘Les Tillets’ £210.00 in Bond £285.00 Inc VAT

Red Wines: Hautes Cotes de Beaune Rouge ‘La Perrière’ £95.00 in Bond £145.00 Inc VAT Saint Romain ‘Le Jarron’ £140.00 in Bond £200.00 Inc VAT Savigny-Les-Beaune Vieilles Vignes £140.00 in Bond £200.00 Inc VAT Beaune 1er Cru ‘Les Tuvilains’ £207.00 in Bond £280.00 Inc VAT Pommard Village £207.00 in Bond £280.00 Inc VAT

Domaine Arnoux Père et Fils (Chorey-Les-Beaune)

Pascal Arnoux is a fourth generation winemaker at this respected Cote de Beaune domaine which now comprises 20 hectares, spread over five villages. Winemaking is traditional; the wines are classic expressions of their terroir, with oak influence kept firmly in the background, and fruit to the fore. For the quality Domaine Arnoux’s wines are exceptionally well priced, and the premier and grand cru reds will reward cellaring for some years. With the village wines starting at £15 per bottle with all taxes paid, this domaine is a great place to look for affordable traditional Cote d’Or Burgundy.

White Wine: Chorey-Les-Beaune Blanc £125.00 in Bond £180.00 Inc VAT Savigny-Les-Beaune Blanc £136.00 in Bond £195.00 Inc VAT Pernand-Vergelesses Blanc £145.00 in Bond £205.00 Inc VAT

Red Wines: Chorey-Les-Beaune Rouge £125.00 in Bond £180.00 Inc VAT Savigny-Les-Beaune Rouge £136.00 in Bond £195.00 Inc VAT Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er Cru ‘Les Peuillets’ £175.00 in Bond £245.00 Inc VAT Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er Cru ‘Les Guettes’ £175.00 in Bond £245.00 Inc VAT Beaune 1er Cru ‘En Genet’ £195.00 in Bond £265.00 Inc VAT Beaune 1er Cru ‘Les Cent Vignes’ £195.00 in Bond £265.00 Inc VAT Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru ‘Les Fournières’ £355.00 in Bond £460.00 Inc VAT Corton Le Rognet Grand Cru £465.00 in Bond £590.00 Inc VAT

Domaine Remoriquet (Nuits-Saint-Georges)

Gilles Remoriquet took over this 10 hectare domaine some years ago from his father Henri, and vinifies his wines in the Nuits-Saint-Georges cellars that formally housed Domaine Francois Chauvenet. Domaine Remoriquet has impressive holdings in Nuits-Saint-Georges, including no less than four premier crus, as well as a plot in the Vosne premier cru ‘Au Dessous des Malconsorts’.

Gilles Remoriquet prefers to ferment his wines in concrete tanks, feeling that they are easier to keep clean than wood, and prone to less variation in temperatures than stainless steel. He uses a small proportion of whole bunches, and never more than 30% new oak. The results are classic Nuits-Saint- Georges with firm tannins and the backbone to age gracefully.

Red Wines: Bourgogne Pinot Noir £92.00 in Bond £140.00 Inc VAT Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits £110.00 in Bond £162.00 Inc VAT Nuits-Saint-Georges Village £185.00 in Bond £252.00 Inc VAT Nuits-Saint-Georges ‘Les Allots’ £232.00 in Bond £310.00 Inc VAT Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru ‘Les Bousselots’ £310.00 in Bond £405.00 Inc VAT Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru ‘Les Damodes’ £310.00 in Bond £405.00 Inc VAT Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru ‘Les Rue de Chaux’ £310.00 in Bond £405.00 Inc VAT Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru ‘Les Saint Georges’ £375.00 in Bond £480.00 Inc VAT Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru ‘Au Dessous des Malconsorts’ £375.00 in Bond £480.00 Inc VAT Domaine Bertrand Ambroise (Premeaux-Prissey)

Bertrand Ambroise is an old friend of Planet of the Grapes, having hosted a highly entertaining tasting in the old Holborn shop; he is something of a character. His domaine is a true family enterprise. Bertrand and Martine Ambroise have built the domaine to 21 hectares, ably assisted by their son François and daughter Ludivine. The estate is organic and one of the few Côte d’Or domaines to make equally fine white and red wines, all at great prices for the quality of the wines.

White Wines: Bourgogne Chardonnay £118.00 in Bond £173.00 Inc VAT Ladoix 1er Cru ‘Les Gréchons’ £270.00 in Bond £355.00 Inc VAT Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru £800.00 in Bond £995.00 Inc VAT

Red Wines: Bourgogne Pinot Noir (screwcap) £105.00 in Bond £157.00 Inc VAT Beaune 1er Cru ‘Les Tuvilains’ £235.00 in Bond £315.00 Inc VAT Vosne-Romanée ‘Aux Damaudes’ £308.00 in Bond £400.00 Inc VAT Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru ‘Les Vaucrains’ £510.00 in Bond £645.00 Inc VAT Corton ‘Le Rognet’ Grand Cru £510.00 in Bond £645.00 Inc VAT

Domaine Berthaut ()

Amélie Berthaut took over the reins at her father’s Fixin-based domaine for the 2013 vintage as well as inheriting some holdings in Vosne-Romanée from her mother, and has made an immediate impact. Domaine Berthaut’s Fixin and Gevrey-Chambertin have always been well regarded, but even in the difficult 2013 vintage Amélie Berthaut has managed to get noticed.

The wines of the northern Cote d’Or have always been seen as more solid than sensuous, and as recently as the 2010 vintage that was true of this domaine’s wines, but Amélie’s aim is to produce a more elegant and feminine style; perhaps less suited to long ageing, but more expressive and forthcoming in its youth. This is certainly a domaine to watch.

Red Wines: Bourgogne Pinot Noir £92.00 in Bond £140.00 Inc VAT Cotes de Nuits Villages £120.00 in Bond £175.00 Inc VAT Fixin Village £145.00 in Bond £205.00 Inc VAT Fixin ‘Les Crais’ £173.00 in Bond £240.00 Inc VAT Fixin 1er Cru ‘Les Arvelets’ £240.00 in Bond £320.00 Inc VAT Gevrey-Chambertin Village £207.00 in Bond £280.00 Inc VAT Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru ‘Les Cazetiers’ £330.00 in Bond £430.00 Inc VAT Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru ‘Lavaux St. Jacques’ £378.00 in Bond £475.00 Inc VAT Vosne-Romanée Village £275.00 in Bond £360.00 Inc VAT Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru ‘Les Petits Monts’ £415.00 in Bond £530.00 Inc VAT Echezeaux Grand Cru £670.00 in Bond £835.00 Inc VAT

Domaine Michel (Morey-Saint-Denis)

Frédéric Magnien is the fifth generation to run the family estate based in Morey Saint Denis. He joined his father, Michel in 1993 and has gradually tempered the style, reducing the amount of new oak and producing wines with more aroma, fruit and elegance without losing the trademark Magnien depth and richness. The domaine has expanded from 4 hectares in 1967 to 19 hectares today with the whole estate being farmed biodynamically since 2010.

Red Wines: Fixin Village £165.00 in Bond £230.00 Inc VAT Morey-Saint-Denis ‘Le très Girard’ £260.00 in Bond £345.00 Inc VAT Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru ‘Les Chaffots’ £440.00 in Bond £560.00 Inc VAT Clos-Saint-Denis Grand Cru £1000.00 in Bond £1230.00 Inc VAT Clos de la Roche Grand Cru £1000.00 in Bond £1230.00 Inc VAT

Domaine Heresztyn-Mazzini (Gevrey-Chambertin)

The old Domaine Heresztyn which we regularly bought from has moved on to the next generation; Florence Heresztyn and her husband Simon Mazzini, and the results are enormously encouraging. 2014 is only their third vintage, but the direction seems clear; balanced attractive wines with pure fruit and well-judged oak. This certainly seems to be a domaine to watch.

Red Wines: Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes £345.00 in Bond £445.00 Inc VAT Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru ‘La Perrière’ £525.00 in Bond £660.00 Inc VAT Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru ‘Les Millandes’ £540.00 in Bond £680.00 Inc VAT

Domaine Confuron-Gindre (Vosne-Romanée)

When I first tried this domaine’s wines from the difficult 2013 vintage, I wondered how a domaine making such good wines, and with such great vineyard holdings could have passed me by. The answer seems to be twofold; many of their vineyards are very small, and most of their wine is sold in France. Small allocations of the 2014 vintage will be available, but there’s no guarantee that anyone will get everything they want. The style is quite traditional and classic, but the wines are very classy.

Red Wines:

Bourgogne Rouge £90.00 in Bond £140.00 Inc VAT Vosne-Romanée Village £275.00 in Bond £360.00 Inc VAT Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru ‘Chaumes’ £475.00 in Bond £600.00 Inc VAT Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru ‘Les Brûlées’ £475.00 in Bond £600.00 Inc VAT