Ron Siegel

9.3

Slight reductive note that quickly blew off with notes of orchid fruits, wet stone, chalk & floral tones — 16 days ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.5

Gonon always succeeds in creating stunning Syrah’s from his granite soils. Wine is amazingly alive and totally in balance. — a month ago

Vanessa

9.2

Here’s to exploring Fixin AOC, the northernmost appellation of the Côte de Nuits in the Côte d’Or of Burgundy!

Fixin is home to 6 premier cru climats including Clos Napoléon. It’s primarily known for its Pinot Noir (approx. 96%) but also produces Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc.

Fixin rouge wines are sometimes compared to its neighbor to the south, Gevrey Chambertin AOC, but with a lighter body and profile. It can be a great source of value in an increasingly expensive region.

Tonight, we’re enjoying the 2019 Pierre Gelin Fixin rouge 1er Cru Clos Napoléon.

Clos Napoléon is also a monopole, owned exclusively by Domaine Pierre Gelin today. It’s a small but prestigious vineyard, situated on a hillside slope, with old vines dating back 70 years!

This property used to be owned by Claude Noisot, the surgeon to Emperor Napoléon, and the vineyard was formerly called “Aux Cheuzots.”

Claude Noisot renamed the property “Clos Napoléon” in honor of his famous patient and hired a renowned sculptor to create "Le Réveil de (the awakening of) Napoléon” – a nearby statue, featured on this label.

As for this particular wine, it’s beautiful! It’s medium ruby in color. Its bouquet is perfumed and layered with notes of black cherry, mulberry, boysenberry, pomegranate, red plum, fennel seed, fennel fronds, chervil, licorice, clove, cooked morel mushroom, wet earth, vanilla, and saddle leather. The palate is lively with bright acidity and smooth, polished tannins. The alcohol has a delicate warming presence and the finish lingers. — a month ago

with Deked1

John Willison

9.2

Lemon, almond oil, great minerality. — 7 days ago

TH

9.6

マルクコランの長男であるピエールイブのサントーバン。力強い果実と硬質なミネラルに加えてスモークのニュアンスが絶妙@LE BON VIN市場価格2万円くらいだがルフレーヴのピュセルに負けない味わい — 16 days ago

Mario Zillner

9.5

June 2024 disgorgement; would’ve preferred to pop this +12 months (vs. 6), as it would certainly benefit from some time. A grower BdB favorite; of course made from 100% Chardonnay, coming from several Grand Cru villages in the Côte des Blancs. The Cuvée de Réserve is a blend of more than twenty vintages, dating back to 1988 (via the solera method)! Peters considers this their “flagship” champ, even at the NV price point.

Firm upfront with a rather long finish. Sharp acidity; strong lemon, pale stone fruit, orange zest, and young tangerine notes. Medium body with pillows to carry you through. Steel vs. wood. 12% ABV. Simply delicious. — a month ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Rich, dense with floral, lemon, orchid fruit & crushed rock showing good balance — 21 days ago

Brendan Baker

9.1

Lemon, matchstick reduction, Granny Smith apple, med acid ✨ — 22 days ago

Mark Rosse

9.4

Singing 🎶 — 14 hours ago

Tom Heckert

9.5

Apple and pear fruit with classic mineral finish. Wonderfully paired with shellfish ( scallops and lobster). — 2 months ago