2010 Damien Coquelet Chiroubles Vieilles Vignes

• By Josh Raynolds
  March 2012, (See more on Vinous...)

  (Damien Coquelet Chiroubles Vieilles Vignes) Login and sign up and see review text.

Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  4/22/2011, (See more on Garagiste...)

  (VIEILLES VIGNES Coquelet CHIROUBLES) 2010 Dear Friends, One of my goals when I started Garagiste was to change the cycle of commercial farming that had devastated land all over the world since the late 1970s. One by one, farm to farm, I’ve gone around the globe attempting to create a spider web of organic soil - arms stretched out, that I hope will eventually touch. It may not happen in my lifetime, but the effort has been well worth it. With the help of young and tireless producers, this cause has become much closer to reality and we can thank Joe Dressner and Damien Coquelet (and his father, Georges Descombes) for a contribution to organic unification that has been copied and cheered many times over. And the 2010 vintage? We’ll get to that in a moment. When we pioneered Damien Coquelet in the US three years ago, I never could have imagined how quickly his vinous voice would be found. In such a short time, Damien has gone from someone with fantastic potential to a major artisinal player in Burgundy. To say that Damien Coquelet has come of age with his 2010s is putting it mildly – these are treats that should be in everyone’s cellar. As noted above, Damien is George Descombes’ son and he’s been working the vineyards of cru Beaujolais since he was five years old. His childhood memories are about bud-break and grape picking – like you and I would remember throwing the football in the backyard. He knows the hillsides of this region like an old-timer, yet he is not even 25 years old? With a future career that has the ability to define what the new generation means to not only Burgundy but to winemaking in all of France, Damien Coquelet’s organic/natural methodology and “mineral first” philosophy will continue to be studied with admiration. Which begs the question: why can't we support organic viticulture like this in the US? If we had culturally accepted young agricultural and vinous visionaries in our country (those with the lineage, work ethic and voice to be heard), we would be much closer to an industry that cultivates wine as a healthier means of daily life rather than as a cocktail of additives and manipulation. If you compare the average wine produced in the US versus what we have below, the list of ingredients would make your head spin. It does not need to be that way. As in Bordeaux, 2010 produced a number of scintillating results in Beaujolais. The vintage is not as plump and sweet as 2009 (also like Bordeaux) but it’s classic character, layered minerality and potential for longevity are obvious. If you are an admirer of Gamay and all its rock-hewn splendor, this is the vintage to cash in your chips – I am. From Damien last night: “It almost sounds cynical to say that 2010 compares to 2009, but the proof is in the bottle. 2010 was an excellent growing season with stunning weather and sun. Grapes that have balance, that are ripe but not over ripe. In some sense toned down from 2009 but more immediately accessible.” ...and, not to be outdone, Joe Dressner added this pithy quip this morning when I asked him about 2010: “Why do you always have to over-analyze everything - this is a vintage to drink, enjoy and love. Put your thinking cap down and enjoy the sheer pleasures of succulent Beaujolais. How’s that?” Yes, pricing is up over the 2009s, but who cares? Coquelet’s portfolio still represents some of the finest bargains in Burgundy with the very top wine (the Vieilles Vignes) still under . Quantities are small across the board so I will simply list the wines – rest assured, all three are at the very top of the terroir heap and all three are VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED not only for their reflection of an important young producer now hitting his stride but of pinpoint expression of site-place, stellar vintage and natural winemaking (not not mention ageing potential). This parcel is directly from the winery cellar with perfect provenance: 2010 Damien Coquelet Beaujolais-Villages - 2010 Damien Coquelet Chiroubles - 2010 Damien Coquelet Chiroubles “Vieilles Vignes” - (from the plot that used to go into Descombes’ Chiroubles VV) FIRST COME FIRST SERVED up to 12 x each wine until we run out To order: nicki@garagistewine.com This parcel is set to depart the cave – it will arrive in the late spring (please check OARS for local pick-up after June 15th). All will ship during the Fall shipping season. Out of state orders will be held for free under ideal storage conditions (56 degrees/70%humidity) until shipping is possible. Locals may pick up at their leisure. For current local pick up and arrival/ship information, please see your OARS link below (at the bottom of this offer) - don’t know how to access your OARS? Simply click the link and see your account. You can also paste the link into your browser. If you are having trouble with your link or your account, please contact: support@garagistewine.com NO SALES TO RETAILERS OR WHOLESALERS Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Burg7267 Burg7268 Burg7269