Nick Dobson Wines Côte Chalonnaise

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Online Catalogue > French Wines > Côte Chalonnaise

Côte Chalonnaise Wines The Côte Chalonnaise, sandwiched between the Mâconnais to the south and the grand Burgundian vineyards of the Côte de Beaune to the north, takes its name from the town of Chalon-sur-Sâone. The wines here are principally whites made from Chardonnay, and reds from the Pinot Noir, both mainstays of Burgundy. These bear a remarkable similarity to those from the Côte d'Or, though lack some of the weight, and are generally drinkable much earlier. A little white is also made from the Aligoté grape, principally from around the village of Bouzeron, and some excellent sparkling wine, Crémant de Bourgogne, mainly from around Rully. The quality of the wines, coupled with prices substantially lower than those of northern Burgundy, makes them extremely attractive. We offer a range of wines from the principal villages of Mercurey, Givry, Montagny, and Rully, together with some excellent Crémant de Bourgogne, and good value wines from the Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise appellation, created in 1990 to distinguish non-village wines from this part of Burgundy from those of the generic Bourgogne appellation. Scroll down to see the wines

Rosé

Not much Rosé in Burgundy, but there are some nice examples if you care to seek them out.

Bourgogne Rosé 2005
Maison Albert Sounit Ref: 332005

This is a delicious Rosé made from the Pinot Beurrot grape - an old variety which is closely related to Pinot Noir, and is not seen much these days. It's a fresh fruity wine matured on the lees for 7 months before release; a dark pink, with a warm fruity nose, light crisp fruity flavours. Very refreshing - in summer a great barbecue wine, but at any time great with fish, grilled meats, salads, or pasta.

Price: £7.95 Including VAT at 17.5%

Bourgogne Rosé 2005<BR>Maison Albert Sounit

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Aligoté

Most white Burgundy is made from Chardonnay, but there are also some splendid wines made from a handful of other grapes, including the Aligoté, whose production is centred on the village of Bouzeron.

Bourgogne Aligoté Vielles Vignes 2005
Maison Albert Sounit Ref: 332010

TN in preparation.

Price: £8.95 Including VAT at 17.5%

Bourgogne Aligoté Vielles Vignes 2005<BR>Maison Albert Sounit

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Aligoté de Bouzeron Cuvée Vielles Vignes 2004
Domaine de la Vielle Fontaine Ref: 332011

TN in preparation.

Price: £8.95 Including VAT at 17.5%

Aligoté de Bouzeron Cuvée Vielles Vignes 2004<BR>Domaine de la Vielle Fontaine

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Côte Chalonnaise Generic Burgundies

Some of the best value wines in Burgundy come from the Côte Chalonnaise - and within that region the generic reds and whites offer some of the best values in our list. Not only that but they are just fantastic wines too!

Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise

The Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise appellation was created in 1990 to distinguish better non-village-specific wines from this part of Burgundy from those of the the generic Bourgogne appellation. Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise wines are red & white Burgundies offering extremely good value for money; the best examples are indeed serious stuff, with the character and finesse of wines costing several times as much, but without some of the weight. They are an excellent introduction to the more serious wines of this region, at a cost similar to that of a decent Beaujolais Cru.

The gently undulating countryside of the Côte Chalonnaise

Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise
Blanc 2004
Maison Albert Sounit Ref: 332000

The grapes for this wine come from the area of Bouzeron, near Rully. The vines grow on a mainly chalky soil and have good easterly exposure. Harvested on September 24th, 2004, the wine was matured on the lees in 300 litre French oak barrels (25% new). Using these barrels and giving the wine weekly Bâtonnage adds finesse and richness. Malolactic fermentation take place during a 10-month barrel maturation period. The final assemblage then took place prior to bottling in September 2005 (just before the following harvest) without any fining or filtration.

A pale straw/gold colour with green tinges, with intense aromas of citrus, mineral, and toasty oak. On the palate, it is delicate, almost acidulous and very long. After aeration, it opens up and expresses power and elegant freshness. Ready to be drunk now but should be decanted, as it may have thrown a harmless sediment. Ideal serving temperature is 12°C. Will keep several years. This wine offers great value for money, and will go extremely well with fish, snails, or white meats, or as an apéritif.

SOLD OUT

Price: £10.95 Including VAT at 17.5%

Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise<BR>Blanc 2004<BR>Maison Albert Sounit

Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise
Rouge 2003
Maison Albert Sounit Ref: 332001

This a red wine made from Pinot Noir grapes coming from a vineyard just south of Givry; it has a clean red colour, a nose of ripe red fruits, and has good body and structure. Superb with a good robust pâté, hams (especially the uncooked variety), hearty stews (such as pot au feu) and fine cheeses - especially a strong cheddar.

Available now.

Price: £10.95 Including VAT at 17.5%

Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise<BR>Rouge 2003<BR>Maison Albert Sounit

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Givry

The wine village of Givry is principally a producer of red wine, and is noted for the historic reference that Henry IV particularly approved of it. Much was consumed by the French court, and Givry was once the main wine centre of the area. Production here is nowadays relatively small, as vineyards have been consumed by development around Chalon, although the best vineyards are protected. The wines are often strong yet rounded, well-balanced, and dependable. They can easily be enjoyed young, but age quite well too. Only very small amounts of white Givry are produced, and when found it is a real rarity.

The village of Givry, seen from the vineyards

Givry White

Givry Blanc 2003
Clos de La Brulée
Maison Albert Sounit Ref: 230202

Most Givry is red, and white Givry is very rare. This is an excellent example; it has a pale golden straw yellow colour, and a rich nose of sweet honey and burnt toasty oak. On the palate it is very full bodied, with nutty honeyed flavours, ripe orchard fruit, and a hint of stone fruit, including white peaches. It is lush and intense, with a creamy texture; the oak provides supportive structure, and the wood tannins add weight, rather than making the wine overtly oaky. There is a crisply defined finish, long, stylish, and honeyed. Serious stuff. Probably one for food.

Available late Now.

Price: £16.50 Including VAT at 17.5%

Givry Blanc 2003<BR>Clos de La Brulée<BR>Maison Albert Sounit

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Givry Blanc 2004
Clos de La Brulée
Maison Albert Sounit Ref: 332009

Most Givry is red, and white Givry is very rare. This is an excellent example; it has a pale golden straw yellow colour, and a rich nose of sweet honey and burnt toasty oak. On the palate it is very full bodied, with nutty honeyed flavours, ripe orchard fruit, and a hint of stone fruit, including white peaches. It is lush and intense, with a creamy texture; the oak provides supportive structure, and the wood tannins add weight, rather than making the wine overtly oaky. There is a crisply defined finish, long, stylish, and honeyed. Serious stuff. Probably one for food.

Available late Now.

Price: £17.50 Including VAT at 17.5%

Givry Blanc 2004<BR>Clos de La Brulée<BR>Maison Albert Sounit

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Givry Red

Givry Rouge 2003
Vieilles Vignes
Maison Albert Sounit Ref: 332003

*(*)

Albert Sounit's red Givry Vieilles Vignes 2003 comes from a south-easterly oriented vineyard located on the north of the village of Givry. The soil is brown/chalky, and the vines are well exposed to the sun. The grapes for this wine were harvested at the beginning of September 2003 and the wine was made using the traditional Burgundy method - fermentation is open vats with daily punching of the cap. To obtain optimal extraction, maceration lasted 3 weeks, followed by a 15 months maturation on the lees in French oak barrels (50% new) and 100% malolactic fermentation. The final assemblage was made in stainless steel, where it was aged a further 2 months before bottling in late 2004, without any fining or filtration.

The wine has a deep purple robe, with excellent Pinot and red fruit aromas, and is full-bodied with intense fruity flavours softly married to the toasty oaky notes of the barrels. Fleshy and silky, the wine is warming, with fine and ripe tannins giving rich and spicy finish.

Drink with charcuterie, roasts, grilled meats, hearty stews, most other meat dishes, and fine cheeses and pâtés. Serve between 13 and 15°C.

Click on MORE to see a map of where the vineyard is located.

Price: £12.95 Including VAT at 17.5%

Givry Rouge 2003<BR>Vieilles Vignes<BR>Maison Albert Sounit

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Montagny

This appellation is named after the small hillside village of Montagny, and also includes Buxy, Jully-les-Buxy, and Saint-Vallerin. Only white wine is made here, from the Chardonnay grape, and cool white Montagny is seriously delicious, being usually well structured, fulller and fatter than some other whites from the Côte Chalonnaise, and often nutty, with flavours of honey and almonds not unusual. Montagny is the most southerly vineyard in the Côte Chalonnaise, and is small, with only 150ha under vines. To be entitled to the appellation Montagny Première Cru, the wines must achieve natural alcoholic strength of 11.5%. It is said that whereas French Royalty consumed the wines of Givry by preference, the Monks of Cluny chose Montagny as their favourite tipple.

Montagny

Montagny Whites

Montagny Blanc 2003
Première Cru "Les Bassets"
Maison Albert Sounit Ref: 230205

The 1er Cru vineyard "Les Bassets" is located in the commune of Buxy, on middle slopes benefitting from easterly exposure. Soils are principally chalk/gravel with some marl.

After the harvest in late September, the wine undergoes first fermentation and is then aged in French oak (33% new, 33% 1 year old, 33% 2 years old) for 10 months, during which time the malolactic fermentation occurs; there is also weekly Bâtonnage (the stirring of the lees) to impart body and flavour to the wine and which also adds a roundness, and accentuates the toasty oak character.

A pale golden yellow with green tinges, with a nose of fern leaf and nuts at first, a toasty oak and honey developing after a little aeration. Full-bodied, fleshy, and elegant, with a long mineral finish. Ideal to drink now but will continue to improve in bottle for a few more years. Drink around 12 degrees C with fish and chicken dishes.

Available now.

Price: £15.90 Including VAT at 17.5%

Montagny Blanc 2003<BR>Première Cru "Les Bassets"<BR>Maison Albert Sounit

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Rully

With a population of just 1700, Rully is a sleepy Burgundian village which seems stuck in time - it is full of charming fine old houses and has a fairytale castle, and a sleepy main square with one of the finest Hotel-Restaurants I know anywhere. Rully produces both reds (Pinot Noir) and whites (Chardonnay). Quite a lot of replanting has taken place here in the last 30 or so years, and whites from Rully are particularly well respected, offering superb value when compared with their relatives from further north in Burgundy. The town of Rully has a concentration of producers of Cremant de Bourgogne, a sparking wine made using the Methode Champenoise, and which is an excellent Champagne substitute.

The fairytale Château de Rully sits high on a hill overlooking the village

Rully Whites

Rully Blanc 2004
"St. Jacques"
Maison Albert Sounit Ref: 332006

The Rully vineyard of "Saint Jacques" is located at the northern end of the Rully appellation, where the Côte de Beaune starts. It is based on a steep slope and is East- South-east oriented. Vines grow on soil mainly composed of clay and limestone. Rully Saint Jacques 2004 was harvested in late September, 2004 with an optimal maturity (14% natural alcohol content).The wine was then matured in French oak barrels (33% new, 33% 1 year old & 33% 2 years old) for 10 months on the lees with a regular Bâtonnage. During maturation, malolactic fermentation takes place. Final assemblage was followed by bottling in September 2005 without any fining or filtration. A mere 3,500 bottles were produced.

A light golden/straw colour, this wine has aromas of toast oak, white flowers, and vanilla. The palate is complex, initially with flavours of pineapple and citrus fruits, with buttery and vanilla notes developing. Well-balanced, this wine is subtle and elegant. Excellent with foie gras, a grilled fish (e.g. sea bream) served with crispy vegetables, veal, or poultry. Decant and serve between 12°C and 13°C.

Drinking well now, but will improve with 1 or 2 more years of bottle ageing. It will probably show its best in 2007.

In stock now.

Price: £16.50 Including VAT at 17.5%

Rully Blanc 2004<BR>"St. Jacques"<BR>Maison Albert Sounit

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Rully Blanc 2003
1ère Cru Grésigny
Maison Albert Sounit Ref: 230200

**(*)

Rully 1ère Cru Grésigny 2003 is very serious stuff indeed - a big-framed oaked white Burgundy with tremendous depth of flavour. The grapes for this wine are grown in the 6 ha Grésigny vineyard, which is one of the best 1ère cru sites in Rully. The soils here are chalky, with plenty of pebbles ensuring good drainage, and ideal conditions for the Chardonnay grapes. The wine is aged in French oak barriques, 50% of which are new every year, and is left in contact with the lees for 11 months. Malolactic fermentation occurs in the barriques & the wine undergoes no fining or filtration.

A lovely light golden yellow, with a rich nose of spice, honey and burnt toasted oak. Very full bodied, with yellow stone fruit, citrus, and hints of honey. Crisp, powerful, and with tremendous length, with some toast and vanilla on the finish. The oak is evident but does not dominate, rather adding a roundness. Excellent with seafood, foie gras, freshwater fish in creamy sauces.

DECANTER MAGAZINE rated the 2002 vintage of this wine 5-stars in May 2004.

Click on MORE to see a location map of the Grésigny vineyard in Rully.
In stock now.

Price: £16.50 Including VAT at 17.5%

Rully Blanc 2003<BR>1ère Cru Grésigny<BR>Maison Albert Sounit

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Rully Reds

Rully Rouge 2004
"Meix Guillaume"
Maison Albert Sounit Ref: 332004

This 100% Pinot Noir wine is made from grapes grown in the "Meix Guillaume" vineyard, at the northern edge of the Mercurey appellation, near the border with the Côte de Beaune. "Meix" translates as "manor in the middle of a vineyard" - so - William's manor in the vines! The vineyard has clay soils, and an eastern exposure. Traditional Burgundian fermentation is employed, in open vats and long maceration to maximise extraction. The wine is aged for 7 months in 100% French oak (25% replaced each year with new barrels) and malolactic fermentation is in barrel. No fining/filtration, ABV 13.0%.

A pale red with granite tinges, this is a good example of a light to medium bodied red from the Rully appellation. It has leafy herbal aromas on the nose, and is dry and soft, with flavours of red berry & stone fruits - raspberries, cherries, and plums. Very elegant, soft and smooth, with gentle tannins, good acidity. and a good dry finish, again with rasperries.

Goes well with light/medium flavoured foods, and the acidity makes it ideal for slightly fatty meats. Try it with duck, lamb, or mushroom based dishes. Also with fine cheeses.

Price: £13.50 Including VAT at 17.5%

Rully Rouge 2004<BR>"Meix Guillaume"<BR>Maison Albert Sounit

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Mercurey

Mercurey is possibly the best known appellation in the Côte Chalonnaise. Located just south of, and bordering the vineyards of Rully, and extending over the communes of Mercurey itself, Saint-Martin-sous-Montaigu, and Bourgneuf-Val-d'Or, it is primarily a red wine producing appellation, although some really excellent whites are also made here. The reds are the biggest and most powerful of the Côte Chalonnaise, with good structure, and often with earthy truffly qualities. Both reds and whites age well. There are several Première Cru sites. Mercurey is probably the most important appellation in the Côte Chalonnaise, certainly in terms of volume, and arguably in terms of quality, and several firms from the Côte d'Or own plots in and around Mercurey.

Mercurey

Mercurey Whites

Mercurey Blanc 2002
Première Cru "Clos du Roy"
Maison Albert Sounit Ref: 190286

Tasting note in preparation.

Price: £14.95 Including VAT at 17.5%

Mercurey Blanc 2002<BR>Première Cru "Clos du Roy"<BR>Maison Albert Sounit

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Mercurey Blanc 2004
Première Cru "Les Fourneaux"
Maison Albert Sounit Ref: 332008

Tasting note in preparation.

Price: £17.50 Including VAT at 17.5%

Mercurey Blanc 2004<BR>Première Cru "Les Fourneaux"<BR>Maison Albert Sounit

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Mercurey Reds

Mercurey Rouge 2002
Première Cru "Clos de Montaigu"
Maison Albert Sounit Ref: 230206

Classic red Mercurey; a deep pastel red, with an arresting nose of cherry, raspberry, and red berry fruits, with a hint of truffle and woodsmoke. On the palate this is quite rich and juicy, with a core of sweet red fruit, plumskins, and crisp tannins. The acid structure is excellent, and the finish is long, dry, and savoury. Excellent with steak, beef stews, or poultry.
Just a few bottles left.

Price: £15.90