Domaine Jean-Baptiste Ponsot Rully Premier Cru "Montpalais" 2019

I haven't tried many of Elden Selections' Premier Cru offerings,  they are of course more expensive, but I'm very glad I did because this is a lovely, lovely white burgundy wine.  Domaine Jean-Baptist Ponsot Premier Cru (2019), here .

"Gun-flint smoky minerality drives this ripe, old-vine fruit and elegant white flower complexity to great lengths. Extremely long finish, and the hallmark tension, even in old vine depth. Aging 12 months in barrels (20% of new oak barrels) and 3 months of assembly in mass."

Domaine Gilles Bouton Bourgogne Rouge 2019

Really enjoyed this one! "Generally considered the generic Burgundy wine, appellation Bourgogne, both red and white, can also be thought of as the model of what Burgundy wine should be. It is produced in almost all of the winemaking communes throughout Burgundy, and from the same grape varieties as the more specific appellations."

Domaine Gilles Bouton Bourgogne Rouge 2019

Julien Cruchandeau Hautes Cotes de Nuits 'Les Cabottes' 2019

Ooo, this is delicious! What a lovely red wine.

The vineyard is described as 'in transition' - "half of it is 60 years old; the other half a new plantation 6 years old. The two parts are fermented separately then assembled in to one cuvee. 2018 gave him lovely phenolic maturity, so he did a slow cold maceration. The result is enormous fruit and a wine accessible now. Beautiful Pinot Noir!"

No qualms about slapping that link up right here if you want to check it out: Hautes Cotes de Nuits - Les Cabottes - 2019.

Julien Cruchandeau Aligote 'LeVillage' 2020

Still not a wine blog.  Really.  OK, for the record, Aligote is a white grape.

"From 50 year old vines in the hills above Nuits St Georges, this Aligote is fresh and spicy with green apple acidity.  Bright, crisp almost crunchy fruit and a deep, floral lingering finish carried out long by the limestone minerality."

I think that's accurate.  I like it, I'm not crazy about it, I think I'd like it more during summer, not winter, but it is fresh, crisp, etc.  Quite delicious.

Read more about this wine at Elden Selections. 

  

Julien Cruchandeau Hautes Cotes de Nuits Blanc 2018

Holy cow, this is good: Julien Cruchandeau Hautes Cotes de Nuits Blanc 2018

As I mentioned in a previous post,  I am always curious about small local purveyers of whatever a product might be, in this case, the burgundy wines imported into the USA by Elden Selections, based themselves in the Burgundy region. I am trying Julien Cruchandeau and ordered 4 bottles, including this one!

Overview: "Very low yields for the appellation (30hl/ha).  Raised in 50% steel tank and 50% wood (with 10% new oak in the mix). Orange flower and honey, rich but fresh and open.  Long pleasant floral finish."

I don't know half of what all this means but I'm enjoying learning.  Meanwhile, like with most art: I know what I like.

Julien Cruchandeau Les Valançons Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits

Please dont expect me to speak with expertise about French wine, it would be absurd of me to try. I am always curious about small local purveyers of whatever a product might be, in this case, the burgundy wines imported into the USA by Elden Selections, based themselves in the Burgundy region. I am trying Julien Cruchandeau and ordered 4 bottles, including this one, Julien Cruchandeau Hautes Cotes de Nuits 'Valencons' 2018. It's described as juicy and exuberant.

It's winter where I live, so try as I might, the room temperature I'm serving this wine at is a little cool and I think that affects the taste. I am warming it by holding it in my hands...but holding a wineglass in my hands prompts me to drink from it, so we'll see how well that goes.