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One of our wine cub Members asked if we could get any more of Maison Alex Gambal’s 2005 Bourgogne Chardonnay Cuvée Prestige. It seems that other Members had brought the wine to a dinner party and it had been a big hit. So, I got a hold of Alex and, sure enough, he had some cases left in his “Library” - the place in the cellar where a winery keeps a few samples of past vintages.
While we were on the subject of past vintages, I enquired if he happened to have any of the 2006 vintage Burgundies left. I have found them to be drinking very well right now and several Members have been asking if we could get some more. More good news! Alex has a small number of bottles of ten different reds and whites, all of which we are offering below. In addition, since the Alex Gambal Samplers have been very popular on previous offers, we are including two more this time: Alex’s Ready to Drink Burgundy Sampler and Alex’s Deluxe 2006 Burgundy Sampler.
We first introduced Alex Gambal and his fine Burgundies in October 2007 (see Selections) when we featured the few wines Alex had left of his excellent 2005 vintage. Alex said at the time, “If we had any courage we would ship the ‘06s before the ‘05s.” This was because the great 2005s were closed while the young 2006s were so approachable. A year and a half later this still remains true although some of the 2005’s, particularly the whites are starting to open up and reveal their true brilliance. While 2005 was a spectacular year in Burgundy, 2006 was no slouch either. Wine Spectator magazine rates the whites of the vintage 90-93 out of 100 and the reds 86-90. For more about Domaine Alex Gambal, visit www.alexgambal.com.
Alex is making all of his wines available in six-bottle cases to assist with affordability. If you only want a bottle or two (most understandable), don’t forget our ‘Share a Case’ feature or, if you are in the Greater Toronto Area, drop me a note (jaswalker@arthursellers.com) and I will organize a case for you with other Members. These wines are in very limited supply and will be sold on a first come, first served basis. The ordering window will be short because we want to make sure we get them before others do. We will take your orders to the LCBO on Friday, March 20th.
Here are the wines - the descriptions are Alex’s:
Whites
2006 Bourgogne Chardonnay - (13.0% Alc. by Vol.) $36/btl:$216/case of six
Our Bourgogne Chardonnay continues to come from several parcels located in Meursault, Puligny, the Haute Cote and now our parcel in Volnay. Our parcel especially contributes richness with good minerality; our plowing has already made the fruit more interesting. As usual we vinified the wine in ~ 10% new oak and we made 700 cases. Order
2005 Bourgogne Chardonnay Cuvée Prestige - (13.0% Alc. by Vol.) $41/btl:$246/case of six
Our Cuvée Prestige continues to please with its ripeness and richness. We harvest the grapes from the Haute Cote de Beaune which gives it minerality and now we add in barrels from our other parcels which give it richness. As usual it was made with about 20% new oak and we made ~315 cases. Order
2006 Bourgogne Chardonnay Cuvée Prestige - (13.0% Alc. by Vol.) $41/btl:$246/case of six
Our Cuvée Prestige is especially interesting this year because its core comes from Savigny les Beaune Village grapes. This is a classic 2006 with its white peaches and pears but a great freshness; the Savigny grapes were some of the most perfect we harvested in 2006. As usual it was made with about 20% new oak and we made 310 cases. Order
2006 Meursault Clos du Cromin - (13.0% Alc. by Vol.) $69/btl:414/case of six
This is our 6th year making Cromin and now I have to change my story; the vines are now past 70 years old. These magnificent "sélection massale" vines are not the uniform producing cloned variety but are twisted, beautiful and produce small tiny berries. There are also a few Muscat or "Muscat Chardonnay" plants intermingled that give the wine its exotic nose." 1/3 new oak and we made 150 cases. Order
2006 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatières - (13.0% Alc. by Vol.) $119/btl:$714/case of six
In 2005 Puligny excelled and here we have made what I consider to be a prototype of the genre; mineral, rich but with the lemon and citrus quality of young Puligny. We made 73 cases from this old vine parcel and vinified it in 20% new oak. Order
2006 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru - (13.0% Alc. by Vol.) $157/btl:$942/case of six
Charlemagne or "Chuck" as we affectionately call him is as powerful as ever in 2006. In ripe years the hillside of Charlemagne helps enormously with its drainage and exposure. The 06 is very powerful and on reserve; give it 5 years. 100 cases we made and 50% new oak. (92-95/100 Wine Spectator). Order
Reds
2006 Bourgogne Pinot Noir Cuvée les Deux Papis - (13.0% Alc. by Vol.) $38/btl:$228/case of six
Our first full year tending to our vines produced a very concentrated Pinot. Our yields were ridiculously low due to our pruning and the harvest. The wine is rich, deep in color and an intense Pinot. Our vines genetics show in this wine; here is a “Petite Volnay” reflecting its vineyards. 580 cases. Order
2006 Savigny-les-Beaune Vieilles Vignes - (13.0% Alc. by Vol.) $46/btl:$276/case of six
In 2006 the grapes were even better than in 2005, in fact they were the best Pinot grapes we brought in. Everyone wants Pinot and here it is in its perfect Burgundian form. Elegant, ripe, pure, with black fruits dominate. 181 cases were made and we used 20% new oak. Order
2006 Volnay 1er Cru Les Santenots Veilles Vignes - (13.0% Alc. by Vol.) $78/btl:$468/case of six
Our Santenots is a classic Volnay with its silky elegance coupled with the rich fruit of 06 and refined tannins. I suspect the Santenots will close up a bit after bottling and reopen in 18-24 months. It has real class in 2006 and needs a bit of time. We made 125 cases and 40% new oak. Order
2006 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Charmes - (13.0% Alc. by Vol.) $115/btl:$690/case of six
This was put in bottle before harvest and is already delightful to drink. Perfumed with dense black cherry fruit; yummy. Give it 3-4 years and you will have the Chambolle that we all love so much. 25% new oak and 100 cases made. Order
2006 Clos Vougeot Grand Cru - (13.0% Alc. by Vol.) $175/btl:$1,050/case of six
I love/hate the word fruity because it means so many things to so many different people. Our Clos Vougeot, because 2/3 of the wine comes from the top of the hill always has an elegant red fruit sense akin to Chambolle-Musigny with the texture of Echezeaux and Grands Echezeaux. As usual 3 barrels from the top of the hill next to the wall and 2 barrels from the middle center, 4/5 very old vines and 66% new oak. This will begin to show well in about 5 years. 125 cases made. (90-93/100 Wine Spectator). Order
Samplers
Alex’s Ready to Drink Burgundy Sampler - (13.0% Alc. by Vol.) $40/btl:$240/case of six
One bottle each of the 2006 Bourgogne Chardonnay, 2005 and 2006 Bourgogne Chardonnay Cuvée Prestige and 2006 Savigny-les-Beaune Vieilles Vignes and two bottles of the 2006 Bourgogne Pinot Noir Cuvée les Deux Papis. Ready to drink and value-priced Burgundy. Order
Alex’s Deluxe 2006 Burgundy Sampler - (13.0% Alc. by Vol.) $119/btl:$714/case of six
One bottle each of the 2006 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Clos Vougeot Grand Cru, Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatières, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Charmes, Volnay 1er Cru Les Santenots Veilles Vignes and Meursault Clos du Cromin. Three wonderful whites and three delicious reds for the cellar. Order
Please note that the above prices include a $1 per bottle administration fee.
Know any real Burgundy aficionados? If so, please pass this note on to them.
Many thanks and cheers,
Jim and Hélène
jaswalker@arthursellers.com
www.arthursellers.com
