Burgundy 2021 Supplement

DOMAINE RAPET - PERNAND-VERGELESSES The Rapet estate is located between Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, in the village of Pernand-Vergelesses which is wrapped around the foot of the prestigious hill of Corton. We arrived at thewinery to bewelcomed byVincent andhis sonRobin. Robinhas beenworking inwineries across theglobe tobroadenhis knowledge and understanding of winemaking and as a result his English is excellent. He is set to take over from his father in the coming years and he was very keen to explain all of the intricacies of each plot to us as well as giving in depth information on thewinemaking techniques which they employ. Theywork organically and should receive accreditation next year. Their style is for wines with good fruit character that are lean and fresh. Thewhites are complex and spicy this year whereas the reds are juicywith an elegant structure. All in all, an interesting Domaine not to be missed! We were fortunate enough to taste a Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru Les Vergelesses from1969whichwas elegant and still had a pretty core of wild strawberrywhich goes to show howwell these wines can age.

WHITE BURGUNDY CÔTEDEBEAUNE

PERNANDVERGELESSES, LESCOMBOTTES Bright, good energy. Benefits from extra time in tank to clarify the wines naturally and avoid shock. Pear fruit on the nose, with a hint of spice. Palate is initially fleshy with orchard fruit, themid-palate has good tension. Quite light on its feet, it finishes with cool russet apple and a gentle buttery note. Pure and fresh. 2024+ £170 - £195 / 6BOTTLES

CORTON-CHARLEMAGNEGRANDCRU West facing, old vines from 1945 with some more recent plantings fromthe 80s andmost recently 2016. A generous nose of orchard fruit, some lovely green apple notes with lemon peel, butter and spice. The palate has weight with ripe fruit, a great energy here. The finish is smooth with a lovely spicy note which will only improve with time. 2027+ £530 - £600 / 6BOTTLES

BENJAMIN LEROUX - BEAUNE Benjaminstartedhis career atComteArmand inPommard, quicklymaking aname forhimself as abrilliant young winemaker destined for great things. In 2007 he founded his micro-négociant business Maison Benjamin Leroux, in Beaune; most of his early holdings were around Auxey-Duresses, Meursault and Pommard. Over the last decade, he has ventured north, picking up agreements in some of the great Côte de Nuits vineyards and now has enviable holdings in Clos de la Roche, Clos Vougeot and Le Chambertin, among others. Allen Meadows only enhanced his reputation when hailing him as the natural successor to the late, great Henri Jayer. William Kelley of the Wine Advocate writes “The style here, in reds and whites, is pure, fine-boned and nicely balanced—wines which will drink well both young and old - and everything reviewed here comes recommended”. The quality of his wines has grown hugely, with more experience and knowledge of his plots. The wines are vivid, pure, and expressive, with restrained use of oak. He has begun using larger barrels, some 1000 litre and 2000 litre barrels, reducing the amount of new oak. But he says, “there is no recipe, every year is different, and each plot works differently”. At the Village level, these wines represent gorgeous early to medium drinking, and as we move up the ladder to Premier and Grand Cru, they are supremely poised, structured and textured. Certified organic, he operates biodynamically but does not seek certification as he disagrees with elements of the international accreditation. His 2021s are beautifullymade and to taste his full range (of 27 wines this year) inhismodern tasting room in Beaunewas a real treat.

MEURSAULT, LESNARVAUX Unfortunately not tasted this year. 2025+

MEURSAULT, 1ERCRUGENEVRIÈRES Very crisp, with lemon and pear on the nose with plenty of spice. The palate has orchard fruit and citrus. Finish is very racy. Long and rich. A well made wine which will really deliver in a few years time. 2026+ £635 - £745 / 6BOTTLES

£345 - £385 / 6BOTTLES

MEURSAULT-BLAGNY, 1ERCRUPIECE SOUS LABOIS VIEILLESVIGNES Lots of white marl terroir on this plot. A cool and fresh citrus and talcum powder nose. Quite restrained on the nose. The palate is very racy withmore citrus and orchard fruit. It is driven by its prominent freshness and will need time to settle. The finish is elegant and racy with a slight salinity. 2025+ £535 - £630 / 6BOTTLES 2025+ £200 - £235 / 1MAGNUM

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