DOMAINE CHEVILLON-CHEZEAUX, BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR

BURGUNDY, FRANCE 2017

There is a saying amongst many wine lovers that, "All roads lead to Burgundy." That is to say, as palates mature or evolve, they inevitably gravitate to the elegance and grace of arguably the world's most famous wine region.  Which is, of course, debatable. What is not in question, however, is how difficult it can be to dive into such a big sea of unknowns. There are certain stigmas attached to Burgundy. Price for one--they can be very expensive. A bottle of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC) Romanée-Conti Grand Cru averages just north of $13,000 per bottle. A few years ago, the late great Henri Jayer's Richebourg topped that at over $15,000 per bottle! Granted, there are much friendlier ways to sample Burgundy, but you get the idea. The next is the intimidation factor for those who haven't spent sufficient time sampling these wines, the question often arises: "Where do I start?" We'll get to that in just a minute. And finally, some have tried a few bottles and have just not liked or "gotten" them. To that, I would say while Burgundy is not for everyone, it's perfect for those looking for a bit more subtlety, while not compromising intensity, especially when approached at the right level. The problem with Burgundy is that while still relatively very small, there is still a wide range of quality that is produced. Some can be other-worldly. Some can be questionable. Like most other winemaking regions of the world, it's about three things: Producer, Producer, Producer. 
  
So where should you start? I would suggest a producer like Domaine Chevillon-Chezeaux. Created in 1887 by Eugène-François Chevillon, the estate has almost nine hectares of vineyards and uses sustainable agricultural methods. Most importantly, the young and bright winemaker Philippe Chezeaux has carried on the tradition of making classic, pure and terroir-driven wines from 14 different appellations. And best of all, they're all incredibly well priced. Even his Les Saint Georges--a Premier Cru appellation that has recently applied for Grand Cru status--is priced well under $100 per bottle. That alone is a feat in itself!
  
What's the big difference in all the appellations in Burgundy? Aren't only the Grand Crus and Premier Crus worth drinking?  This is a big misconception.  Early on in my career, I travelled to Burgundy and naively asked the question to the locals there, "What's your favorite wine?" Everyone had the same response. "Of course, it depends on the situation, the food, the people you are with.  Sometimes you open a Grand Cru, but other times the best wine is a Bourgogne!" To me this was a revelation that would change my approach to wine forever. It isn't about the quest to find the greatest wine out there.  It's about finding the perfect wine for each specific situation.
  
Today we are offering the 2017 Bourgogne Pinot Noir from Domain Chevillon-Chezeaux.  This bottling is fresh, elegant and just delicious.  Certainly not a wine that you want to have with a heavy meal, but one that can balance and elevate a simple roast-chicken. 
 

The best part is, at as low as $18.47 per bottle when purchased by the case, you could make this serious Burgundy your week-night wine.  As to be expected with almost any Burgundy offer, the quantity produced is limited and the amount coming into the U.S. even less.  While we have secured the entire allocation for the U.S., we still anticipate this offer to sell out.  I mean, its Chevillon-Chezeaux for under $20.  If this interests you, we suggest acting quickly. Now I'm not here to tell everyone to fill their cellars with Burgundies. But I am advocating for sticking a toe into the beautiful, light red waters of the home of Pinot Noir.