Millesime Bio Fair - Day 1

Montpellier, France
Tasted Monday, January 27, 2014 by isaacjamesbaker with 894 views

Introduction

It was a long first day, but a great one. I hit a lot of solid producers. All producers at the fair are organic, a good amount of them biodynamic.

Flight 1 - Domaine Vacheron - Sancerre (9 Notes)

  • 2012 Domaine Vacheron Sancerre 89 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre

    Clean and fresh on the nose, with lemons, oyster shells and limestone. Crisp, nervy on the palate with tons of minerals and electric acid. Good length and depth. Yet there's some roundness from the grapefruit and lemon fruit. For a "basic" wine, impressive.

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  • 2011 Domaine Vacheron Sancerre Les Romains 91 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre

    Lime, oyster shells, a slight herbal note on the nose. Rich texture but zesty acid. Key lime, green melon, tons of slate and mountain stream and mineral notes. Brisk, but also some creamy aspects. A beautiful young Sancerre.

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  • 2011 Domaine Vacheron Sancerre Guigne-Chèvres 90 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre

    Floral, melon, lemon and smashed brick on the nose. Nervy acid, bright gooseberry and melon rind flavors. Intense minerality here, and I love it, yet it has a lot of depth and some weight on the mouthfeel. Another impressive wine from Vacheron.

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  • 2011 Domaine Vacheron Sancerre Chambrates 89 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre

    Smells of melon, lemon-lime, crushed shells and rocks. Creamy melon and lime fruit on the palate, crisp and mineral-driven.

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  • 2011 Domaine Vacheron Sancerre Le Paradis 89 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre

    Gooseberries, mineral and a slight sage element on the nose. Limestone-driven, crisp acid and a creamy mouthfeel. Green apple peel and lime flavors, so pure and lovely with a long finish.

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  • 2013 Domaine Vacheron Sancerre 88 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre

    Some apricot and honey on the nose, yellow flowers. More green than the other wines, with peach and melon fruit. Great acid and length though, complex minerality.

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  • 2013 Domaine Vacheron Sancerre Rosé 87 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre

    Roses and McIntosh apple on the nose. Crisp, clean, mineral city on the palate. Red apple peel, strawberry and wildflowers, limestone on the finish. Not as much depth as some of the other wines, but well-made. Tasted from a tank sample, but I'd love to taste this again in six to nine months to see how it comes together once bottled.

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  • 2009 Domaine Vacheron Sancerre Rouge 90 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre Rouge

    Soft cherries, slight smoke and roses on the nose. Smooth palate with tart strawberries and red currants. Nice concentration and acid, pure and attractive with notes of berry compote, earth and white pepper. Sexy stuff.

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  • 2009 Domaine Vacheron Sancerre Rouge Belle Dame 91 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre Rouge

    Darker berries on the nose, more roses and violets than the basic Sancerre Rouge. Great concentration, but fresh and balanced. Berry compote, earth, white pepper, loam, it's all seamlessly tied together. Long finish with notes of rocks and roses. Delicious stuff, I'd love to taste it again with a few more years on it.

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Flight 2 - Domaine L'Or de Line - CdP (3 Notes)

Flight 3 - Larmandier-Bernier Champagne (4 Notes)

Flight 4 - Domaine du Petit Coteau - Vouvray (4 Notes)

Flight 5 - Domaine de la Croix Senaillet - St. Véran (7 Notes)

Flight 6 - Domaine Sylvain Pataille - Marsannay (4 Notes)

Flight 7 - Self-Serve Whites (8 Notes)

The fair featured several areas where bottles were lined up for self service. I didn't get to talk to the winemakers, but was able to scan through the wines and taste those that appeared interesting.

  • 2012 Domaine Jean Goulley Petit Chablis 86 Points

    France, Burgundy, Chablis, Petit Chablis

    Aromas of crushed rocks, chalkboard dust, lemon and pear. Crisp, good weight for a Petit Chablis. Lemon curd, minerals, fresh white flowers. Nice stuff and a good bargain.

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  • 2010 Domaine Jean Goulley Chablis 1er Cru Montmains 88 Points

    France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru

    Yellow apple, honey and sea breeze on the nose. Crisp and clean, although some nice weight and richness. Lively minerals and seashells, along with some nutty and tart green apple aspects.

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  • 2009 Château La Garenne 87 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

    Deep apricot and honey on the nose. Rich and honeyed on the palate, with sweet apricot jam, honey and orange marmalade. Hazelnut on the finish. Lacking a bit of acid, or I'd be more excited.

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  • 2011 Bernhard & Reibel Riesling Rittersberg 87 Points

    France, Alsace

    Aromas of lychee, sugar cane and honeyed tea. Fleshy on the palate, with apricot, melon and papaya flavors, along with honey and some lemon oil. Love the minerals and nuanced rock flavors. Nice richness, not too sweet. Concentrated, may do well with a few years in the cellar.

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  • NV Leclerc Briant Champagne Cuvée Extra Brut 87 Points

    France, Champagne

    Perfumed with apricot, grapefruit pith and lime peel. Bright and creamy on the palate with apricot, yellow and green apples and mixed nuts. Lots of acid, toasted bread and creamy aspects. Dry, nervy, not the deepest Champagne, but solid stuff and a great bargain for sure.

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  • 2011 Château de Plaisance Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru 88 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru

    Lychee, dried wax, orange blossom, honeycomb on the nose. On the palate, this has an apricot jam and orange marmalade feel to it, with graham cracker, lemon peel and some dried nuts. Sweet and lush, with years needed to coax out the complexities. If it had just a bit more acid, I'd be more excited about this wine.

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  • 2012 Domaine Les Girard du Boucou Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 87 Points

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    Creamy, rich, oily texture. A bit low on the acid perhaps. White peach, oil, vanilla and chamomile notes. A lot going on though, I'd like to put this down for a while to see what happens.

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  • 2010 Domaine Les Girard du Boucou Châteauneuf-du-Pape 90 Points

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    Grippy, young, with firm tannins and medium acid. Blackberries, cola, tobacco, rosemary. A solid 2010 that has a while til its prime.

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Flight 8 - Self-Serve Reds (8 Notes)

  • 2011 Tenute Valdifalco Maremma Toscana Lodolaia 89 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Maremma, Maremma Toscana

    Plums, smoke, pepper and olive on the nose. Firm tannic structure. Loaded with dark plums on the palate, along with smoke, violets and earth. Long and rich but lovely.

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  • 2011 Tenute Valdifalco Morellino di Scansano 89 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Maremma, Morellino di Scansano

    Smells of rich berries and roses on the nose. It's got grip and freshness, with a velvety mouthfeel. Jammy red fruit, cherry pipe tobacco, earth and flowers. Quite expressive and open with a bold, grippy finish.

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  • 2009 Punset Barbaresco Basarin 90 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

    Pepper, beef broth, roses and earth on the nose. Very tannic with freshness from the acid. Rich cherries and mixed berries, this is a spice-toned wine with lots of dried flowers and potpourri and earth. Long finish and life ahead.

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  • 2008 Punset Barbaresco Campo Quadro 91 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

    Berry compote, tobacco, spice and coal on the nose. Nice structure, but I'm surprised by how silky and sexy this wine is. Pure berries, plums, loamy soil, dried roses, tobacco. So pretty and fresh, but clearly worthy of some cellar time.

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  • 2005 Punset Barbaresco Campo Quadro 89 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

    More spice on the nose, with savory and floral tones. Softened a bit, fleshy, with sour cherries, dried roses, earth and pepper. A broth and tart berry finish. Showing quite well.

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  • 2012 Claude Quenard & Fils Mondeuse Vin de Savoie 87 Points

    France, Savoie, Vin de Savoie

    Tons of spice, bay leaf and tilled soil on the nose, on top of currants and cranberries. Light tannins, freshness is key there. Crushed cranberries, red and sour cherries. Notes of clay, bay leaf, hints of pickle. Begs for grilled sausage. A solid bargain at 9 Euros.

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  • 2011 Domaine de Fontavin Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Tradition 88 Points

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    Aromas of dark currants, plums, leather and roasted red pepper. Nice grip, medium acid, tangy and fleshy at the same time. Ripe red and black fruit, some sweet flowers, along with loam, clay and grilled herbs. Very smooth and fresh, seems perfectly read to drink now.

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  • 2011 Domaine Les Girard du Boucou Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Bois De Fergy 91 Points

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    Wow, this is dense and well-structured. Plum cake, crushed berries, anise, spice, all sorts of complex flavors that will take years to unpack. I love this spice and meat aspect. From 100-year-old vines, and the depth shows.

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Flight 9 - Domaine Michel Magnien - Burgundy (8 Notes)

  • 2012 Michel Magnien Bourgogne 86 Points

    France, Burgundy, Bourgogne

    sweet cherries and spice on the nose, very open and fresh. Juicy red fruit on the palate, with fine tannins and medium+ acid. Fleshy, pure, easy-drinking and fun.

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  • 2012 Michel Magnien Marsannay Blanc 87 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Marsannay

    Very floral on the nose, almost pungent, white flowers and honeysuckle and grapefruit. Crisp on the palate with some nice creaminess. Green apple, white flowers and a sage note. Interesting stuff.

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  • 2012 Michel Magnien Morey St. Denis 88 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Morey St. Denis

    On the nose: berries, spice, flowers. So juicy on the palate, with ripe tannins and crisp acid. Flavors of berry puree, lavender and baking spices. Long, ripe finish. A pure and slightly flamboyant wine, but so well made.

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  • 2012 Michel Magnien Gevrey-Chambertin Les Seuvrées Vieilles Vignes 89 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin

    Aromas of sweet cherries, baking spices, red flowers and earth. Rich and bold on the palate, but great grip. Sweet berries mix with cola, earth and a spiced root beer note. Earthy and herbal on the finish. Very pretty stuff. I'd like to try it again after it's been bottled and had a year to relax.

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  • 2012 Michel Magnien Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Cazetiers 89 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru

    Aromas of sweet cherry and raspberry, along with roses, cola and pepper. Rich on the palate, with pure berries, earth, cola and baking spices. A bit "new world" perhaps? But tangy as well and full of life.

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  • 2012 Michel Magnien Morey St. Denis 1er Cru Les Chaffots 90 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Morey St. Denis 1er Cru

    More spice on the nose, with earth, roses and berries. Crisp, clean and fresh. But grippy too, with iron and plum skin and roses. A delicious and lively wine that I'd love to try once it's been properly bottles.

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  • 2012 Michel Magnien Clos de la Roche 92 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos de la Roche Grand Cru

    Sexy and pure on the nose, with berries, violets, deep earth and lavender. Open and inviting on the palate, although the structure is serious. Deep red fruit, earth, intriguing pepper and spice. Silky, great acid. A beauty of a wine that I'd love to revisit once it's finally bottled and has had a year or so to come together.

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  • 2009 Michel Magnien Nuits St. Georges Petite Charmotte 88 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges

    Raspberries, cola, sweet flowers on the nose. Fresh and driven by sweet cherries, cola, plums and pepper. Rich but fresh with a long finish.

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Flight 10 - Sylvain Loichet - Burgundy (8 Notes)

Flight 11 - Domaine Henri Richard - Burgundy (6 Notes)

  • 2011 Domaine Henri Richard Coteaux Bourguignons Corvée de L'Église 85 Points

    France, Burgundy, Coteaux Bourguignons

    Aromas of sour cherries, white pepper and pickles. Tart, tangy and fresh, with currant and beef broth aspects. Fun, uncomplicated stuff.

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  • 2011 Domaine Henri Richard Marsannay En Larrey 87 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Marsannay

    Aromas of roses, perfume and cherry blossom. Solid grip on the palate with tangy acid. Fresh currants play with flowers and pickling spice. Elegant.

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  • 2010 Domaine Henri Richard Gevrey-Chambertin Les Corvées 90 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin

    Aromas of sour cherries, dried herbs, white pepper. Serious grip on the palate, so much tang from the acid. Black cherries and red currants mix with a ton of flowers, some herbs and savory spices. Young, beautiful, much to unpack in the cellar.

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  • 2011 Domaine Henri Richard Gevrey-Chambertin Les Corvées 89 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin

    Currants, herbs and roses on the nose. Rich and open, much more accessible than the 2010. Red plums, pickling spices, subtle earth and herbal undertones. Very pretty and elegant, seems ready for business but has some structure for aging. Long finish.

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  • 2010 Domaine Henri Richard Mazoyères-Chambertin 91 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Mazoyères-Chambertin Grand Cru

    Complex aromas of rhubarb, strawberries, dried flowers. Elegant texture with fine tannins and tart acid. Flavors of red currant, earth, flowers, smashed bricks. So long, refreshing and elegant. Beautiful stuff that will age well, but showing some finesse for its young age.

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  • 2012 Domaine Henri Richard Charmes-Chambertin 92 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru

    Deep and complex aromas: raspberries, red apple peel, spice, pepper, potpourri and smashed rocks. Grippy as hell on the palate, but fresh acid tries to keep it in check. The strawberry and currant fruit is tart but rich at the same time. Love the violets, loam and charcoal flavors. Great mineral streak throughout. Excellent length with notes of sage on the finish. A beauty, one for the ages.

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