Cellar Favorite: 1992 Domaine Laroche Chablis Les Blanchots La Réserve de l’Obédiencerie Grand Cru
France: Burgundy, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Jul 2021
One of the less discovered joys of Burgundy is mature Chablis. Apart from Raveneau and Vincent Dauvissat, a lot of Chablis, even up to its highest echelons, is consumed in its youth.
Cellar Favorite: 2003 Larrivaux
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, France: Bordeaux
, Jul 2021
Readers do not have to shell out for the top names to enjoy the wines, as proven by a 2003 Larrivaux recently served blind by proprietor Bérangère Tesseron, the ‘better half’ of Basile Tesseron at neighbouring Lafon-Rochet.
Cellar Favorite: 2006 Domaine de Pallus Chinon
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Jul 2021
Bertrand Sourdais was born and raised in Chinon but spent many years studying and working in Bordeaux and Spain before returning to the family domaine in 2005, making this vintage just his second in charge.
Cellar Favorite: 1992 Domaine Jean-Marc Burgaud Morgon Côte du Py
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, France: Rhône & Beaujolais
, Jul 2021
Beaujolais Nouveau fomented an assumption that the region’s wine cannot age. Humbug! It’s more a case that too few wine connoisseurs have the nous to tuck away a few Beaujolais bottles from its finest appellations such as Morgon or Moulin-à-Vent from its finest growers.
Cellar Favorite: 1996 Lynch-Moussas
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, France: Bordeaux
, Jun 2021
Much of aristocratic Pauillac has become too expensive for many wine-lovers in recent years. That classification back in 1855 went straight to its head. Yet, there are gems to be discovered…if you know where to look.
Cellar Favorite: 2018 Hospices de Beaune Beaune 1er Cru Cuvée Dames Hospitalières
France: Burgundy, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Jun 2021
The 2018 Beaune 1er Cru Cuvée Dames Hospitalières is a Hospices de Beaune bottling raised by Mounir Saouma of Lucien Le Moine for American importer Vintus.
Cellar Favorite: 1998 Domaine Georges Roumier Morey-Saint-Denis Clos de la Bussière 1er Cru
France: Burgundy, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Jun 2021
There is no point in restating the fact that I, along with countless other Burgundy-lovers, adore the wines of Christophe Roumier. Oops, I did it again!
Cellar Favorite: 1896 Taylor’s Single Harvest Port
Portugal, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Jun 2021
Several years ago, Taylor’s Fladgate had what might be described as a eureka moment. Instead of using precious, ancient and irreplaceable pipes of Port into their 40-Year Old Blend for example, why not see if there is a niche market for limited launches of historical fortified wines?
Cellar Favorite: 1978 Château de Pommard Pommard
France: Burgundy, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Jun 2021
Before I started scribbling words about wine writing, I worked for a Japanese import company that acted as agents for a dozen or so producers. One of those was Château de Pommard and so naturally I was in regular contact with its erstwhile proprietor, Jean-Louis Laplanche.
Cellar Favorite: 2005 Vietti Barolo Castiglione
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, Italy: Piedmont
, May 2021
When I purchased the 2005 Vietti Castiglione for $34 a bottle, I did so knowing that the worst-case scenario is that it would be a great Barolo to check-in over the course of ten years; but what I only realized a few years back is that this bottle, which I thought might be in decline by now, was still maturing in a positive way.