Arthur Sellers Bulletin Archive
We are very excited to introduce you to the wonderful new Burgundies from Domaine des Terres de Velle. This brand new winery has been established by Sophie and Fabrice Laronze and their long-time friend, Junji Hashimoto. We first met Sophie and Fabrice when they were marketing manager and wine-maker respectively for the successful Burgundy vintner, Alex Gambal.
After an amicable parting with Alex in 2009, the Laronzes and Junji acquired eleven separate plots of mature vines in choice areas of the Côtes de Beaune in Burgundy (about five hectares in all). More recently they have purchased a village parcel in Chassagne-Montrachet and two neighbouring premier crus in Meursault, Les Charmes and Puligny-Montrachet, Les Referts. Their winery, located at the entrance to the village of Auxey-Duresses is still under construction as they begin their second harvest.
While the brand might be new, (the Velle River runs through the domaine; hence ‘the lands of the Velle’) the partners are no neophytes when it comes to producing first-rate wine. Fabrice studied oenology in Beaune and Montpellier and then toiled at a few
Burgundy houses and at Mirimar Torres in Sonoma. He joined forces with Alex Gambal in the late 1990s and helped him find juice and grapes throughout Burgundy, acquire vineyards and produce ten vintages of stellar Burgundy that have garnered well-earned international acclaim.
Sophie did marketing work for Albert Bichot in Beaune and the barrel-maker, Tonellerie de Mercury before joining Fabrice at Maison Alex Gambal. Junji arrived in Burgundy in the late nineties after a sales career with Suntory, Japan’s oldest beverage alcohol distributor. He then worked for several top-notch vintners and attended viticulture school in Beaune.
The trio are committed to the principles of sustainable viticulture, eschewing chemical intervention in favour of natural processes in the vineyards and chais. They rigorously debud their vines during the growing season in order to improve ventilation (reducing the chance of mildew) and to concentrate the juice thereby enhancing the complexity of the remaining grapes. The grapes are hand-picked and sorted. The wine is neither fined nor filtered and is produced in very small quantities. They firmly believe that great wine is created in the vineyard, not manufactured in the winery. To sum up, they make very, very serious wine.
The Domaine des Terres de Velle Burgundies on Offer
It was extremely difficult to pare down the eleven Burgundies that the winery produced in 2009 to a more manageable five. But I want you to know that we were up to the task. We had Sophie ship the wines to Christian Esparza’s hooch emporium in St-Rémy-de-Provence and there we assiduously tasted them on your behalves (work, work, work!). And here’s what we came up with, all from the excellent 2009 vintage: four reds (Pinot Noirs) – Bourgogne Pinot Noir; Auxey-Duresses, Pommard and Volnay, and; one white (Chardonnay) - Meursault. For those who would like to try each of these lovely wines, Sophie, Fabrice and Junji have created the Terres de Velle Sampler which contains two bottles of the Bourgogne Pinot Noir and one bottle of the other four wines. I really hope everyone orders at least the sampler to see how truly marvellous these wines are. These really are first edition collectors’ items! They all come in six-bottle cases. We will be taking your orders to the LCBO on Friday, October 7th.
2009 Bourgogne Pinot Noir – 12.5% alc./Vol. $28/168 case of six I was delighted with this little beauty when I tried it. The wine spent twelve to fifteen months in oak, 10% new and like all the Domaine des Terres de Velle wines was neither fined nor filtered. A brilliant ruby colour, the nose offers up fresh, vibrant scents of red berries, particularly raspberries and delicate spices. In the mouth it is simply delightful – beautifully structured with light to medium weight and very soft tannins. This very pleasing wine is drinking beautifully now and would be an ideal accompaniment for roast chicken. Order your most delightful little Burgundy now.
2009 Auxey-Duresses – 12.5% alc./Vol. $34/204 case of six This village in Burgundy is a sheer delight. It too rested in oak for twelve to fifteen months, 20% new. It is a lovely ruby/purple with a wonderful nose of fresh, ripe red fruit, savoury spices and a hint of new leather. In the mouth it is nicely balanced with soft tannins. This is a light to medium-bodied wine that can best be described as yummy. I would like to see it cellared for a year or two for it to reach its full potential. This too will go wonderfully with roast chicken or pork. Order your Burgundy charmer now.
2009 Pommard – 13.0% alc./Vol. $52/312 case of six This is a classic village Pommard. I was smitten by it (I must confess that I am a huge fan of the wines of Pommard). It rested in oak for twelve to eighteen months, 20% new. It is an intense ruby with delicate aromas of blackberries, plums, raspberries, exotic spices and a hint of vanilla. In the mouth it is full of ripe fruit, complex and medium-bodied with really lovely tannins and good length. This wonderful red will go perfectly with pork dishes, although I’d wait a year or two before the feast (assuming I had the self-control!!). Order your splendid, luscious Pommard now.
2009 Volnay – 13.0% alc./Vol. $52/312 case of six Anyone who loves Volnay (count me in) will be delighted with this brilliant village wine. It spent sixteen to eighteen months on oak, 25% of it new. This beauty is a sparkling, clear ruby with aromas of fresh, delicate red fruit (raspberries and strawberries), wet pebbles, spices and a bit of rawhide. In the mouth it is simply elegant - medium-bodied with supple tannins and satisfying length. Drinking well now, I would try to resist it for another year or two. This really delightful red is a perfect match for coq au vin, a creamy veal stew or a plate of medium cheeses. Order your bottles of satisfying elegance now.
2009 Meursault – 13.5% alc./Vol. $51/306 case of six This gorgeous village Meursault is a real Chardonnay pleasure. It is a brilliant medium straw colour with full aromas of pineapple, pear, spice (nutmeg?) and minerals. It is big, voluptuous and fully satisfying in the mouth. It is hard to believe that this is not a 1er Cru at least. This crowd pleaser will go wonderfully with scampies (I am starting to drool!), trout sautéed in butter and roast chicken. Order your classic Meursault now.
2009 Dom. des Terres de Velle Sampler – 12.5% to 13.5% alc./Vol. $41/246 case of six What a great way to try each of the lovely Domaine des Terres de Velle Burgundies on offer. You get two bottles of the Bourgogne Pinot Noir and a bottle each of the Auxey-Duresses, Pommard, Volnay and Meursault in one convenient six-pack. This would also make a great gift for any Burgundy lovers you might know. Order your Burgundy tasting kit now.
A Minervois Evening with Graham Nutter at Bodega Come join us for a fabulous wine and food pairing evening at Bodega Restaurant on Tuesday, November 1st. Our old friend Graham Nutter, owner of Château Saint-Jacques d’Albas in the Minervois area of the Languedoc-Roussillon will be visiting us then. What a perfect excuse for a grand evening of dining! Read all about the delicious details of the menu that chef Paul Biggs and I have conjured up for the evening. Graham, Paul, Hélène and I hope to see you there.
Coming soon from Arthur’s Cellar Our next featured wine will be the splendid Southern Rhône from Domaine de la Gramière followed by the glorious Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Côtes du Rhône from Domaine Palon and the vaunted Gigondas from Domaine Cayron.
We would be most grateful if you would pass this note on to anyone you think would be interested in some beautiful Burgundies from an exciting new vineyard. Also, please invite your friends, relatives, acquaintances and casual strangers to join Arthur’s Cellar Wine Club – no annual fees or other obligations; just great wine.
Many thanks and cheers!
Jim and Hélène jaswalker@arthursellers.com www.arthursellers.com hbuisson@ofrance.ca www.ofrance.ca
