Good afternoon

Yep, you read it correctly, import offer #1!!

This year we’re keen to expand our pre-arrival import offerings and with the strength of the Aussie dollar, I would anticipate that some pretty keen pricing will be achievable. To get the ball rolling though, here is a tasty line up of white Burgundies with just a little bottle age to them. 9 times out of 10, this is the window of opportunity where chardonnay from Meursault, Puligny and Chassagne Montrachet are showing their best – still with a touch of nervosity, but with a little more generosity. The ‘power’ doesn’t subside and they are a joy to drink!

There are no minimum orders for the wines listed, but some are very limited in their availability (i.e 12 bottles remaining in Australia) so if you are keen, please be prompt in replying. This offer will close next Wednesday, February 10, 2010.

Here are a few words on the producers featured.

Patrick Javillier: “This thoughtful, analytical and intelligent Meursault based grower produces a superb range not merely of different vineyard wines but also of different Bourgogne blanc cuvees.” Andrew Jefford, The New France.
‘Admittedly, Meursault is now home to a host of over achievers; Coche Dury, Jobard, Lafon, Pierre Morey and Roulot all spring to mind, but Javillier seems to me to be underexposed and under-garlanded. And his pricing is not rapacious in view of how much flavour and structure he delivers’ Jancis Robinson.
Javillier’s wines are a great combination of fruit intensity, leesy/solidsy complexity, fine acidity, finesse, minerality and richness. He vinifies parcel by parcel and cask by cask prior to final assemblage. The les Clous from the higher slopes is steely and firm, while the Tillets  and Clos de Cromin have a richer angle to them.

Fontaine Gagnard: This domaine possesses one of the finest vineyard holdings in Chassagne including parcels of grand crus Criots-Batard-Montrachet, Batard Montrachet and Montrachet itself. The swag of premier crus listed clearly demonstrate the concept of terroir – all the wines are treated in pretty much the same manner and yet definite characters consistently emerge from the specific sites. The style of the house is for intense, racy, deep and complex wines that are focused and detailed – about a third new oak for the premier crus. Here is a quick run down of the vineyards listed: ‘Clos St Jean’ – the most forward, plenty of early appeal. ‘Maltroie’ – more structure than the Clos St Jean, stellar drinking from year 4 onwards. ‘Boudriotte’ – classic Chassagne – mixed peel, pure, mouth coating flavours of good intensity. ‘Clos de Murees’ – more nervy and minerally. ‘Chenevottes’ – very similar soil composition and orientation to Montrachet – minerals to the fore but with an opulence of white peach and floral honey. Remains crisp and clean.

Simon Bize: ‘Bize is one of Burgundy’s most sensitive and perfectionist winemakers, ever seeking to add a touch here, modify a detail there. This is clearly Savign’s best domaine’ Clive Coates.
Savigny is well known as a happy hunting ground for bargain Burgundy, red or white. The blanc listed has a floral nose of purity and elegance but with a fuller, more assertive palate. Not a keeper – but one to enjoy over the next 6-12 months.

Daniel Barraud: ‘I’ve said this many times but it is worth repeating: Daniel Barraud is without question one of the finest growers in the Maconnais and there is credible argument to be made that his remarkable consistency vaults him right to the very top of the list. This man almost never misses.’ Burghound
From their organically managed,  rocky vineyards, Daniel Barraud and his son Julian produce some ripping examples of white Burgundy, at very approachable price points. Everything is harvested by hand with the vast majority of wine totally barrel fermented. Oak only ever lends support to the fruit – and the wine listed sees no new oak.  A classic example of traditional farming techniques combined with clean, precise winemaking. Chaintre is a village just to the south of Fuisse.

‘Burghound’ is Allen Meadows, a world renowned reviewer of all things Burgundian, while ‘Tanzer’ is Stephen Tanzer, an American critic who has been publishing his International Wine Cellar for 25 years, and has a particular bent towards Burgundy. For what it’s worth, their ratings are pretty harsh – a score of 90-92 points usually equates to ‘outstanding!’, while scores in the high 80s are ‘highly recommended. It is extremely rare to come across scores of 95+, and if you do, the wines will be thousands of dollars!!!!!

Wine                           Burghound/Tanzer  RRP  Special Bottles  Total $$

Patrick Javillier Meursault ‘Les Clous’ 2004	90	89	$109	$83
Patrick Javillier Meursault ‘Les Clous’ 2005	90	91	$102	$78
Patrick Javillier Meursault ‘Clos de Cromin’ 2004	87-90		$102	$78
Patrick Javillier Meursault ‘Clos de Cromin’ 2005	89	89	$93	$72
Patrick Javillier Meursault ‘Clos de Cromin’ 2006	90		$102	$78
Patrick Javillier Meursault ‘Les Tillets’ 2006	89	89	$102	$78
Patrick Javillier Puligny Montrachet 2006	88	90	$116	$90
Fontaine Gagnard 1er Cru ‘Clos St Jean’ 2006	90		$132	$100
Fontaine Gagnard 1er Cru ‘Maltroie’ 2006	89	88	$132	$100
Fontaine Gagnard 1er Cru ‘Boudriotte’ 2006	88	90	$132	$100
Fontaine Gagnard 1er Cru ‘Chenevottes’ 2006	90	89	$132	$100
Fontaine Gagnard 1er Cru ‘Clos de Murees’ 2006	91	88	$132	$100
Simon Bize Bourgogne blanc ‘Perrieres’ 2005	86		$50	$39
Simon Bize Bourgogne blanc ‘Perrieres’ 2006	85		$50	$39
Daniel Barraud Macon Chaintre 2006	87-88		$37	$29
Daniel Barraud Macon Chaintre 2007	87		$37	$29

To order, please reply to this email or call the store on 5962 6699 with your wish list. Please note again, that some stocks are very limited i.e less than 12 bottles available. Offer valid until Wednesday Feb 10. First in best dressed!!!

Free freight on orders of 6 bottles or more to Melbourne metro area.
Subsidised freight elsewhere in Australia, and for smaller quantities to Melb.

So there it is. A great opportunity to acquire a few bottles of cracking white Burgundy to add to the cellar (or to enjoy soon!) with a discount of about 25% off normal pricing.

Cheers!!