Montagny: The Gateway Chard

We got to try this wine thanks to our wine shop owner friend. It was a sample that he decided not to carry--mostly because he's not a big fan of buttery chards. I thought it was quite good despite evident oak. Don't let the butter scare you though: It's not a Cali butter-bomb.

Montagny 1er Cru

Producer: J.M. Boillot
Vintage: 2006
Appellation: Montagny, Burgundy
Price: ~$23
Aromas: Banana/pear oil, oak, marzipan, orange blossom
Flavors: Lemon zest, oak, butter

Summary: Do you have friends or family who are reluctant to diversify away from their California Chardonnay? Have your attempts expand their horizons been met with turned up noses? Don't despair. Here's is an excellent gateway wine that will get them out of their comfort zones completely comfortably! If you don't show them the bottle, chances are good that they won't even realize how far they've strayed.

Saucy Pouilly-Fuisse

We tasted a 2006 Rijckaert Pouilly-Fuisse recently that provided a surprising twist. On the nose were of course, melon, wet stone, and a bit of butter and, there was something else there too...bacon?
But, it was in tasting this wine that expectations were turned on their heads: Béarnaise. Pure unadulterated Béarnaise sauce. So, what is Béarnaise? Well, it's a sauce comprised of eggs, tarragon, and vinegar. Perhaps, this wine exhibited a touch of lemon too which technically would be more of a Hollandaise. A very rich, and very meaty white wine, even for a Chardonnay. Not a fan of buttery chards? Well, I would suggest trying the Rijckaert Pouilly-Fuisse regardless just for this unique (and yummy) taste sensation.

Stop and Smell the Burgundy Pinot Noir

I ordered the Louis Latour Beaune 2002 1er Cru from Bin Ends Wine mainly because it was a half bottle and I knew we could knock it back in one night (open bottles are a problem in this house). We let it decant for about 45 minutes before tasting. The nose started off with pretty typical cherry and garrigue Rhône-type aromas which quickly evolved into more full-bodied fruit and spice. The nose on this wine is completely absorbing. As I pondered the depth of aromas, I found myself asking "can a wine smell slow?"

As the nose evolves, so do the dynamic flavors. First, comes cherry and cigar followed by this blueberry-menthe-sparkle taste sensation with a mild tobacco finish. Meanwhile, the next thing on the nose is tons of mellow licorice and wood. Then vanilla. This Pinot cycles through all these flavors then back to cherry--canned cherry to be precise. While the flavors are very definite, they are not heavy. This wine manages to be both pronounced and ethereal at the same time.

This is easily the best Pinot Noir we've ever had. I'm now in a bit of trouble for only buying one 375 mL bottle.

Louis Latour Beaune 1er Cru

Vignes Franches (Pinot Noir)
Appellation Beaune - Côte-d'Or
Alcohol: 13.5%
Price: $13.75 (375 mL)
Aromas: Cherry, cassis, garrigue, tobacco, licorice, vanilla, wood
Flavors: Cherry, blueberry, cigar, vanilla, mint

Pairings: Blues, Flamenco, anything with acoustic guitar