In the world of wine, Burgundy has its place firmly etched in golden- or shall we say- Burgundian hue. This famed wine region of France is home to some of the world’s most prized wines both in quality as well as value. No wonder then, that a tasting of Burgundian wines invariably get an ‘aye’ from wine lovers, like it did from me when I was invited to taste a range of wines from Vincent Girardin.
Coming from Côte de Beaune, the origins of Vincent Girardin date back to the 17th century. Vincent was one among four siblings who inherited a modest parcel (2 hectares) of vines from his father Jean Girardin. It was not long before the young man diversified his business as a négociant and then through vineyard acquisition, in other appellations of Burgundy, including some of the most prestigious ones. The house is known mainly for its white wines but they also have some enticing reds on offer. In India, Vincent Girardin wines are imported by a Mumbai based company called Wine Park. Here are my notes for the newly introduced wines:
Bourgogne Blanc, Cuvée Saint-Vincent
Vintage : 2014
Grapes : 100% Chardonnay
Alcohol : 13%
Location : Côte de Beaune
Soil : Clay Limestone
Tasting Notes
On the nose the wine has citrus notes with fruity and floral aromas. On the palate it has refreshing flavours of peaches and pears with a subtle minerality. I believe this wine is richer and rounder than any other Bourgogne Blanc.
The wine is kept in French oak casks (10% new oak) of 500 liters and aged for 11 months before it reaches the bottle.
Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru “Morgeot”
Vintage : 2011
Grapes : 100% Chardonnay
Alcohol : 13.5%
Location : Chassagne-Montrachet
Soil : Stony, limestone and little clay
Tasting Notes
A perfect example of a perfumed wine with aromas of butterscotch, minerals and gingerbread. On the palate it is a fruit forward wine with flavors of pear, honey and good acidity. A well structured wine with layers of flavors, and depth. The wine is aged in French oak casks of 228 liters (25% new oak) for around 18 months.
Meursault Premier Cru les Genevrières
Vintage : 2012
Grapes : 100% Chardonnay
Alcohol : 13.5%
Location : Genevrières plot, south of Meursault village
Soil : Clay – Limestone
Tasting Notes
Beautiful soothing aromas of minerals, chalk and hint of saltiness which carries through the palate and adds few more notes of mushrooms, vanilla with long finish with a hint of salt. A straight forward mineral wine with good acidity and structure.
Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru les Referts
Vintage : 2013
Grapes : 100% Chardonnay
Alcohol : 13.5%
Location : South of Côte de Beaune; north of Puligny Montrachet
Soil : Clay Limestone
Tasting Notes
Typical Chardonnay buttery notes with hints of oak. On the palate it has rich flavors of butter popcorn, cream and tropical fruits like pineapple. Very clean yet rich wine with lots of finesse.
Cuvée Saint-Vincent Bourgogne Rouge
Vintage : 2014
Grapes : 100% Pinot Noir
Alcohol : 13%
Location : Côte de Beaune
Soil : Clay Limestone
Tasting Notes
The wine offers beautiful aromas of red fruits like ripe cherry, raspberry and hint of cedar. On the palate it is a complete fruit forward wine that dominates tones of fresh fruit, cherries and raspberries followed by an aftertaste that is fragrant and long. Some smoky notes too.
Vincent Girardin, Volnay Premier Cru “Les Santenots”
Vintage : 2014
Grapes : 100% Pinot Noir
Alcohol : 13.5%
Location : Volnay Santenots , Meursault
Soil : Clay Limestone
Tasting Notes
One of the wines from Burgundy that should and could be enjoyed young. It offers aromas of fruits especially black fruits and sweet spice (nutmeg). On the palate it is intensely fruity with flavors of red to black fruits and a very smooth- almost silky- texture. Overall a fine wine dominated with red fruits and decent finish.
Vincent Girardin, Pommard Premier Cru “Les Grands Epenots” Vieilles Vignes
Vintage : 2011
Grapes : 100% Pinot Noir
Alcohol : 13.5%
Location : Pommard
Soil : Limestone with little clay
Tasting Notes
The wine offers aromas of red ripe fruits which carries well on the palate along with black cherry, blackberry and cassis. Rich and elegant with well rounded tannins, the wine has a good acidity to back it up. Majorly a gourmet wine.
Vincent Girardin, “Clos De Vougeot” Grand Cru
Vintage : 2008
Grapes : 100% Pinot Noir
Alcohol : 13%
Location : Village of Vougeot, north of Côte De Nuits
Soil : Limestone and a little clay
Tasting Notes
With an intense nose of cherries and black currant, the wine has an elegant and rich taste with good balance. It is a complex wine and offers layers of intense flavors with mellowed tannins and a long finish.
All the above wines are currently available only in Mumbai and the importer is contemplating some of the labels in other cities as well. So do look out for them on your next visit to the wine shop.
(Know more about Ankur Chawla)
