AU PIED DU MONT CHAUVE SAINT-AUBIN, PREMIER CRU "LE CHARMOIS"

BURGUNDY, FRANCE 2014

"Check out the wines from Au Pied du Mont Chauve - the under-the-radar label from Francine Picard that caught my attention at last year's Vinexpo."- Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate #213
 
At some point, the wines from former Maison Nicolas Potel winemaker Fabrice Lesne will no longer be a secret. And when that time comes, we'll still try and find you a bottle here and there. That’s how it works with Burgundy - when word gets out, the minuscule quantities can disappear before you even know they're available. In short, the wines of Au Pied du Mont Chauve, crafted by Fabrice Lesne, are stunning. From the outstanding value of their St. Aubin, to the magnificence of their Grand Crus, the wines ooze class and sophistication.
 
The domain is nestled in one of the most iconic areas, not just in Burgundy, but in all the world. Facing the legendary Grand Cru vineyard of Le Montrachet, it's not hard to understand why the wines have such magical qualities. Part of this magic is due in no small part to the abundance of the limestone in the soil. Along with optimum weather conditions, this gives the wines here, both red and white, a wonderfully rich character. There is a perfect balance of richness, power and finesse that cannot be found anywhere else. Today we are thrilled to offer a white and a red that will please the most discerning Burgundy palates.
 
From St. Aubin, we have a Premier Cru Blanc that is stylistically very similar to the wines that you can find in Montrachet and other Grand Cru villages. Of course, the length and concentration will differ, but for those looking to catch a glimpse of greatness at an everyday price, look no farther than this up-and-coming appellation. The “Le Charmois” Premier Cru is on the Chassagne side of St. Aubin and it is said to contain a higher percentage of clay in the soil. The wines from here lean toward the richer side of the spectrum, but the altitude helps retain freshness and verve. There is more of everything in this Chardonnay, including complexity and texture - drink this Chardonnay with everything from shellfish or lighter fish dishes to something more classic such as Sole Meunière.
 
Next up is the St. Aubin “Le Charmois” Premier Cru Rouge. Once mainly a red wine producing commune, it’s focus changed to Chardonnay beginning in the 1990s. Its reds are now rarely available outside of the region, and with the continuing decline in production, it is a rare treat to find such a gem for such an incredible price. The clay-rich soils here along with its south-southeast exposure are integral in making a more intense, but equally balanced and elegant style of Pinot Noir. Perfectly paired with duck or a Cassoulet, this wine is superbly delicious now and should be showing stunningly well in 3-5 years. I’m confident this wine will keep getting better and better, and for this absolute steal of a price, I know I’ll be revisiting these bottles often over the next few years. Due to limited supply, we’re offering six-bottles (3 of each) per customer until stock runs out!

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