Page 7 - Wine Society 2021 Winter

RED WINES RED WINES

In prosperous years, historic Burgundy domaines hold
1999 COLLECTION BELLENUM, LES SANTENOTS
back some wines for a rainy day, as they are not obliga-
VOLNAY PREMIER CRU, BURGUNDY, FRANCE
ted to pay taxes on the wines until they are sold. These
There’s a saying in the world of wine – for Burgundy,
cellars act as a tax-free savings account for the domaines.
drink 1999 for Bordeaux drink 2000. The ’99 vintage was
With a continuing string of low yielding vintages in Bur-
a seriously impressive one for the entire region of Bur-
gundy, some of the greatest domaines are releasing
gundy. These wines are exceeding expectations and are
small lots of their back-vintage cellars behind closed
not only drinking wonderfully right now but still have
doors. This is one of the reasons that Nicolas Potel of some life left to them should you want to lay them down
Roche de Bellene & Domaine de Bellene is able to source in the cellar. Volnay tends to be a lighter style of Pinot
so much great wine from his friends and contacts in the and this wine is showing that delicacy in spades. The
Cote d’Or. wine has become so well integrated over time but is still
showing primary fruit characteristics which is a sign that
2016 ROCHE DE BELLENE, LES GRANDS EPENOTS it will have life for years to come while offering immense
enjoyment should you decide to drink it now
POMMARD PREMIER CRU, BURGUNDY, FRANCE
750 ml | case of 6 | $865.00
The 2016 vintage in Burgundy was described by Jancis
Robinson as ‘seriously delicious.’ Coming from such a 8 cases available
stellar vintage and the heavier style of Pinot that is Pom- Ready to drink now, can cellar for 8-10 years
mard this wine is only starting to show its true colours.
Les Grands Epenots is wildly regarded as 1 of the top 2 2004 DOMAINE ROCHE DE BELLENE
vineyards in Pommard and this wine is telling of that re- MAZIS-CHAMBERTIN GRAND CRU
putation. A sumptuous nose, power, elegance, and a
core of pure and strong fruit. This is enjoyable now, but A variable vintage in the region as poor weather condi-
tions kept many winemakers on their toes. Often over-
the drinker will be rewarded with a little patience if they
lay this down for at least 5 years to allow the tannins to shadowed by the 2005 vintage this wine has evolved into
a beautiful expression of red Burgundy. The power of
calm down and integrate.
Mazis-Chambertin carries through this wine with sturdy
750 ml | case of 6 | $595.00 tannins and brooding fruit on the mid-palate. The finesse
10 cases available of the Grand Cru site then guides the wine to a complex
Ready to drink now, can be cellared for 10-15 years
and lovely finish.
750 ml | case of 6 | $1,395.00
2016 ROCHE DE BELLENE, VOSNE ROMANÉE
9 cases available
VIEILLES VIGNES, BURGUNDY, FRANCE
Ready to drink now, can be cellared 5-8 years
This is a full and firmly structured wine. Full of intense
and concentrated dark fruits like blackberry and black 2013 ROCHE DE BELLENE, AUX CHAIGNOTS, NUITS-
cherry. It has a solid dose of new French oak only adding SAINT-GEORGES PREMIER CRU, BURGUNDY, FRANCE
to the richness and concentration. A wonderful Vosne
Romanée from a stellar vintage. While you can drink this Despite it’s challenges the 2013 vintage is regarded as a
good one. While the harvest was less fruitful than others,
now there are many strengths to this wine that will only
start showing themselves after years of aging. the grapes that did ripen made wines of wonderful con-
centration. This is a savoury and classic Nuits-Saint-
750 ml | case of 6 | $805.00 Georges. A pretty and pale purple in colour. There’s won-
9 cases available derful concentration of fruit on the nose that persists on
Ready to drink now, can be cellared for 10-15 years
the palate.

750 ml | case of 6 | $815.00
9 cases available
Ready to drink now, can cellar for 4-6 years