We are pleased to bring back the wonderful Burgundies from Domaine des Terres de Velle, this time the new and improved 2010 vintage. Sophie and Fabrice Laronze in partnership with their long-time friend, Junji Hashimoto established the winery just before the 2009 harvest.

Domaine des Terres de Velle

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. They have also sold some small parcels so their total estate now stands at about 4.5 hectares which yields around 30,000 bottles annually. Construction has been completed on their new winery, located at the entrance to the village of Auxey-Duresses and work on offices and a tasting room is now under way.

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.

A Few Words about the 2010 Vintage in Burgundy

Here’s what Antonio Galloni of the ‘Wine Advocate’ has to say about the 2010 Burgundies, “Overall, I am thrilled with the 2010 vintage. The wines are racy, show fabulous minerality and are very true to site. In other words, the vintage embodies all of the qualities that make Burgundy one of the world’s most compelling wines.”

 The 2010 Domaine des Terres de Velle Burgundies on Offer

All of the hard work in the fields paid huge dividends for the 2010 vintage at Domaine des Terres de Velle (they had to take what they got in 2009). The resulting wines really are terrific. Here’s what we have selected from the excellent 2010 vintage: four whites (Chardonnay) – Bourgogne Chardonnay, Meursault, Chassagne-Montrachet La Platière, and Puligny-Montrachet; and four reds (Pinot Noirs) – Bourgogne Pinot Noir; Auxey-Duresses les Closeaux, Volnay Ez Blanches and Volnay 1er Cru Le Ronceret. The winery has left their prices for Arthur’s Cellar Wine Club at the 2009 levels, so with the weakness in the Euro you will note that prices are actually down from last year.

For those who would like to try each of these lovely wines, Sophie, Fabrice and Junji have created two mixed cases - the Terres de Velle Petit Sampler which contains three bottles each of the Bourgogne Pinot Noir and Bourgogne Chardonnay, and; the Terres de Velle Grand Sampler which contains one bottle each of the other six wines.  They all come in six-bottle cases. We will be taking your orders to the LCBO on Friday, July 6^th.

2010 Bourgogne Pinot Noir – 13.0% Alc./Vol.                   $26/$156 case of six
This little beauty comes from two parcels, one in the area of Pommard and the other Volnay. The wine spent twelve to fifteen months in oak, 10%-15% 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 will cellar happily for at least three years) and would be an ideal accompaniment for roast chicken. Order your most delightful little Burgundy now.

2010 Terres de Velle Petit Sampler – 13.0% Alc./Vol.       $26.50/$159 case of six
It might be called the ‘Petit Sampler’ but you can be assured that it will deliver big time Burgundy pleasure. You get three bottles each of the splendid 2010 Bourgogne Pinot Noir and the savoury 2010 Bourgogne Chardonnay in one handy six-bottle case. Order your bevy of beautiful Burgundies now!

2010 Meursault – 13.0% Alc./Vol.                                                   $48/288 case of six
 This gorgeous village Meursault is a real Chardonnay pleasure. The grapes come from parcels of land in Les Luchets and Les Vireuils (which has since been sold). It is aged for several months in oak, 25% of which is new. It is a brilliant medium straw colour with full aromas of pineapple, pear, spice (nutmeg?), a touch of vanilla and a nice nip of minerals. It is reasonably big, voluptuous and fully satisfying in the mouth. It is hard to believe that this is not a 1er Cru. 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.

2010 Chassagne-Montrachet La Platière – 13.0% Alc./Vol.         $53/318 case of six
This little beauty, the first vintage for the winery, comes from 22 year old vines situated near the Abbaye de Morgeot. It is a classic Chassagne-Montrachet with aromas of green herbs, white fruit, wet pebbles and exotic spices. In the mouth it is not quite as rich as the Meursault but has more depth with penetrating, fine acidity and good, sweet length. It will go wonderfully with seafood and medium cheese. If you enjoy Chassagne-Montrachet, you’ll certainly be pleased with this one. Order your elegant dollop of Chardonnay now.

2010 Puligny-Montrachet – 13.0% Alc./Vol.                                  $56/336 case of six
I’m a sucker for good Puligny-Montrachet and this is indeed good. It comes from Les Noroyes under the Clos des Mouchére and Les Levrons. There was a serious frost in 2010 that really affected Les Levrons and as a result the yield was very low – only one or two clusters per vine. This wine spent several months in lightly toasted oak, a third of which was new. It has lovely aromas of peaches, a hint of pineapple, minerals and spice. In the mouth it is medium weight, full and fresh with lovely acidity. This beauty would be marvellous arm candy for roast fowl, white fish and medium cheese. Order your sunshine in a glass now.

2010 Auxey-Duresses Les Closeaux – 13.0% Alc./Vol.                  $32/192 case of six
This village Burgundy is a sheer delight. It came from ‘Grand Cru’ yields of 30 hectolitres per hectare and rested in oak for twelve to fifteen months, 25% 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. I consider this to be a real bargain. Order your Burgundy charmer now.

2010 Volnay Ez Blanches (red) – 13.0% Alc./Vol.                         $48/288 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, 30% 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.

2010 Volnay 1er Cru Le Ronceret – 13.0% Alc./Vol.                    $58/248 case of six
This is a simply wonderful Volnay. Once again, yields were low and the wine rested in oak for many months, 25 percent of it new. It is a vibrant medium ruby colour and offers up elegant aromas of raspberries, new leather, spices and minerals. In the mouth it is wonderfully concentrated, elegant and fresh with a nice mineral finish. I personally would sip this slowly by itself (giggling contentedly all the while), but it will go smashingly with Coq au Vin and other traditional Burgundy fare. Yum! Order your excellent Volnay now.

2010 Terres de Velle Grand Sampler – 13.0% Alc./Vol.               $50/300 case of six
What a great way to try each of the lovely Domaine des Terres de Velle village and 1er Cru Burgundies on offer. You get one bottle each of the Meursault, Chassagne-Montrachet La Platière, and Puligny-Montrachet, Auxey-Duresses les Closeaux, Volnay Ez Blanches and Volnay 1er Cru Le Ronceret 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.

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