Nick Dobson Wines Côte Chalonnaise

Côte Chalonnaise 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

Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise

The gently undulating countryside of the 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.

Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise Blanc 2006 Maison Albert Sounit
Ref: 3334004

*(*)

This is a truly stunning white Burgundy for a fraction of the cost of wines from better known parts of Burgundy. 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. 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 (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 6-8 or more years. This wine offers great value for money, and will go extremely well with fish, snails, or white meats, or as an apéritif.

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Price: £12.60 (Including VAT at 20%)

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Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise Blanc 2006 Maison Albert Sounit

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.

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.

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.

Rully Blanc 2006 "St. Jacques" Maison Albert Sounit
Ref: 3334006

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 is harvested in late September, and is 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 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.

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Price: £17.40 (Including VAT at 20%)

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Rully Blanc 2006 1ère Cru Grésigny Maison Albert Sounit
Ref: 3334003

**(*)

Rully 1ère Cru Grésigny 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.

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Price: £19.50 (Including VAT at 20%)

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Rully Blanc 2006 1ère Cru Grésigny Maison Albert Sounit

Rully Rouge 2006 "Meix Guillaume" Maison Albert Sounit
Ref: 3334002

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.

Normally £16.50
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Price: £13.00 (Including VAT at 20%)

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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 Blanc 2002 Première Cru "Clos du Roy" Maison Albert Sounit
Ref: 3334012

Tasting note in preparation.

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Price: £16.50 (Including VAT at 20%)

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