We will be taking your orders for the really good 2013 Burgundies from Domaine des Terres de Velle to the LCBO next Friday, March 27th. Fabrice and Sophie Laronze have been crafting their own Bourgs since 2009 and we think these are their best yet. We know you will enjoy them.

Domaine des Terres de Velle

Sophie and Fabrice Laronze

While the brand might be new, (the Velle River runs through the domaine; hence ‘the lands of the Velle’) the Laronzes are no neophytes when it comes to producing first-rate wine. Fabrice studied oenology in Beaune and Montpellier and then toiled for 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.

The pair is committed to the principles of sustainable viticulture, eschewing chemical intervention (no herbicides or pesticides) 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.

What Sophie says about the 2013 Vintage in Burgundy

“The winter season was a little bit long in Auxey and the first three months of 2013 were very cold. The second quarter was rain; always wearing our boots, both in the vineyards and in the flooded cellars!

Under these conditions, the growing season started very late, but real summer finally set up in July and August. We were all enjoying this perfect weather, when a hail storm hit Côte de Beaune, a disaster, as the previous year, on our vineyards located in Volnay!

By the end of summer the maturing reached a good level, but 2013 will remain a late vintage. September seemed endless for us; the weather was mild and humid, our grapes need more time and we needed to be reactive.

We started harvest on September 30^th and the instructions were clear – pick quickly and selectively. The next rainy spell was announced for October 6^th and it was necessary to take time to sort out every bunch of grapes. Our team of pickers successfully met the challenge!

2013 white wines have citrus notes combined with white and yellow-fleshed fruit aromas. In the mouth the aromatic profile is also very pure. A nice tension brings freshness that tempts one to take another sip!

The 2013 red wines have wonderful colours, as the berries were very small. The nose is intense with notes of fresh red berries. In the mouth the wines are very balanced, delicate with smooth tannins leading to a perfect finish.

The fifth harvest for Terre de Velle was a perfect example of the huge variability of our climate with which we must deal. It is difficult (and exhausting!) to manage but provides an amazing diversity in aromatic profiles … a fine reward, don’t you think?”

The 2013 Domaine des Terres de Velle Burgundies on Offer

All of the hard work in the fields and at the sorting tables paid huge dividends in terms of quality if not quantity for the 2013 vintage at Domaine des Terres de Velle. The resulting wines really are terrific. Here’s what we have selected from the very small but very good 2013 vintage: three whites (Chardonnay) – Bourgogne Chardonnay, Chassagne-Montrachet La Platière and Puligny-Montrachet 1^er Cru Les Referts; and four reds (Pinot Noirs) – Bourgogne Pinot Noir; Auxey-Duresses Les Closeaux, Monthélie 1^er Cru Les Duresses and Volnay 1^er Cru Le Ronceret.

Sophie and Fabrice have once again created a very special mixed cased - the Terres de Velle Grand Sampler which contains one bottle each of the Chassagne-Montrachet La Platière, Puligny-Montrachet 1^er Cru Les Referts, Bourgogne Pinot Noir, ,  Monthélie  1^er Cru Les Duresses, and Volnay 1^er Cru Le Ronceret.  

And, they have come up with a special treat for those who love their wine in big formats - 2012 Volnay Magnum Special.

They all come in six-bottle cases. We will be taking your orders to the LCBO on Friday, March 27th.

The Whites

The Reds

2013 Bourgogne Pinot Noir – 13.0% Alc./Vol.                                $31/$186 case of 6
 This little beauty comes from three very different but complimentary parcels, one in the area of Puligny-Montrachet, one in Corpeau and one in Volnay where the forty year old vines give the wine its excellent structure. 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, succulent with good acidity and structure 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 and beef. Order your most delightful red Burgundy now.

2013 Monthélie  1^er Cru Les Duresses – 13.0% Alc./Vol.                $57/$342 case of 6
This truly lovely Pinot Noir comes from a block of thirty year old vines located near those of the Hospices de Beaune and was matured in thirty percent new oak for a year and a half. A brilliant ruby colour, the nose is reminiscent of Volnay, full of raspberries, elegant black fruit (cherries and blackberries), spices and a hint of leather. Medium-bodied, it sports delightful acidity and minerality that balance the fruit perfectly. This splendid red, which will age well for several years, will pair beautifully with classic Burgundian dishes such as coq au vin or escargot in a light butter/garlic sauce. Only a few hundred bottles were produced. This is really good stuff. Order your heavenly Burgundy now.

2013 Volnay 1^er Cru Le Ronceret – 13.0% Alc./Vol.                                    $77/$462 case of 6
This is a simply wonderful Volnay. Once again, yields were low and the wine rested in oak for a year and a half, 25% of it new. It comes from forty year old vines situated just under Champans. 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, delicate, elegant and fresh with soft tannins and 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 premier cru Volnay now.

Coming Next from Arthur’s Cellars – the Ebullient Wines from Domaine Chabrier Fils

Patrick and Christophe Chabrier took over the operation of the family vineyards (owned since 1925) from their father Louis in 1988. In 1998 decided to make their own wines rather than send their grapes to the nearby co-op. Thank goodness they did! Ever since then, they have been producing big, pure reds, whites and rosés that have consistently been an absolute delight. The latest vintages are no exceptions; several have already been festooned with gold medals. And, best of all, they are very reasonable priced.

Patrick, Louis and Christophe Chabrier

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, Hélène and Kate

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