1966 Jean Bourdy Savagnin Côtes du Jura

Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  2/19/2009, (See more on Garagiste...)

  (Caves Jean Bourdy Cotes du Jura Blanc) 1966, 1962, 1953 Dear Friends, After the first round of Bourdy offers, it was apparent that many of you wished to compare old vintages of Bourdy Blanc to old white Burgundy (both from 100% Chardonnay, grown on nearly the same latitude 60 miles apart). With the reputation for eternal ageing, Bourdy has the rare chance to surprise in a blind tasting but it's personality is singular and like nothing else. The 1960s were very kind to Jean Bourdy and his 1966 and 1962 are something of a legend among European collectors (in a similar vein to some of the finest 1966 and 1962 white Burgundy wines). Studied by winemakers and sommeliers for their crystalline style, this is a unique expression of Chardonnay that shows a different hand than the Cotes de Beaune - it is from more rocky and mineral rich terroir with colder extremes of temperature. At the Blue Hill event, we tasted Bourdy Blanc back to 1911 - all were not only intact but vibrant and full of soul - the 1966 and 1962 were highlights for many tasters. Unlike most aged wine that can peak quickly after pulling the cork and begin a rapid decline after 30 minutes of air, Bourdy can evolve in the open oxygen for four hours or more. This parcel is directly from the winery cellar with the same provenance as the bottles tasted at the Blue Hill event (the bottles have never moved form the winery cellar). Less than 40-50 bottles remain of each vintage: 1966 Caves Jean Bourdy Cotes du Jura Blanc "The 1966 vintage of Bourdy Cotes du Jura Blanc is a beautiful standard. Even today, it has a finesse and mineral purity that is incomparable" - Olivier Poussier, RVF It's incredible to think this wine (and the 1962) sold for 60-80 Euros up until five years ago. As the bottles have disappeared from collections and from Caves Bourdy, the price continues to escalate and I see no end in sight. Less than four dozen bottles remain (with traceable provenance) and even less is available for extraction from the cellar. This example of Chardonnay will lift your spirit and transport you to another place. The quintessential Bourdy Blanc full of alpine stone and perfectly cellared energy (not to be confused with Chateau-Chalon, which is Savignin), 1966 is good place to start your appreciation of aged Bourdy as it is one of the best vintages from 1950 - present: "1966 - Horrible winter. For the first time, Jean-Philippe et Jean-Franìois took to the pruning to replace their father who was ill Good summer and fall season. Good quantities. The Blanc was nothing special in youth - today it is considered among the exceptional, 40 years on." - Bourdy 1962 Caves Jean Bourdy Cotes du Jura Blanc "Tense, with a wonderful, very Burgundian sense - in 1962 Bourdy Blanc has nothing to envy" - Olivier Poussier, RVF 1962 is a legendary year in the Jura and Jean-Francois Bourdy's father claims it is among the best vintages of the last 100. While the 1966 has entered it's peak window, this wine is still pent up and waiting for another 10-20 years in the cellar. The 1962 will really surprise in a blind tasting of the best early 1960's wines from the Cotes de Beaune. The acidity and stone fruit of this vineyard give it one of the longest-lived ageing curves of any Chardonnay in France (as long or longer than Montrachet with a completely different profile). The 1962 should remain vibrant and fresh through the first half of this century. "1962 - Cold weather up to July 10, then a heat wave with no rain. Large harvest which was finished on November 7 - Lovely vintage in Vin Jaune and the Blanc has developed very well at age 45" - Bourdy ...for those of you interested in the Pinot Noir based reds of Bourdy, we've also received a small lot of the 1953 Cotes du Jura Rouge, considered a five-star vintage (this is also original cellar material, never moved from Bourdy in over 50 years - compared to the price of aged red Burgundy, with this level of provenance, the price is about as low as can be imagined - we can thank Jean-Francois Bourdy for this): 1953 Caves Bourdy Cotes du Jura Rouge (Pinot Noir, Poulsard, Trousseau) All arrive with impeccable provenance in late March/early April (they are en-route now). All will ship during the spring shipping season via air freight only - no ground shipping on this set of wines. Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA SOFR9901 SOFR9902 SOFR9903