Wines (12 View)

Chambertin-Clos-de-Beze is a Grand Cru vineyard and corresponding appellation of the Cote de Nuits. It forms half of a vineyard that is regarded not only as the most prestigious in Gevrey-Chambertin, but arguably the whole of Burgundy. The soils of the Chambertin-Clos-de-Beze vineyard are well drained and stony, with a thin layer of pebble-strewn, chalky topsoil over a deep, rocky base. The percentage of clay in the soil reduces higher up the site, giving way to drier, looser limestone.

Alain was born in 1950 to Yvon Burguet, a tacheron for Domaine Tortochot who also worked his own vines in Gevrey. fter military service, Alain returned to Gevrey and decided to start his own domaine, working exclusively with rented vines until 1974 when the opportunity arose to buy his first 2.10 ha of vines in the village. He bottled his own production from the start, and began to earn a reputation for himself, which was boosted around 1982 when Becky picked up Alain?€?s wines. She brought Jean Troigros to taste, who was utterly impressed with the Gevrey Vieilles Vignes and promptly added them to his restaurant?€?s list. Alain continued to expand his domaine, acquiring 1er Cru Les Champeaux in 1985, inheriting some of his father?€?s 3.5 hectares in 1991, while still working rented vineyards. Well before the more global movement toward sustainability and almost 20 years before Ecocert was created to certify organic agriculture, Alain insisted on organic methods.

90+ points Wine Advocate
The 2021 Malbec offers varietal and regional typicity at a very affordable price. There are violets, berries and a touch of sweet spices with a juicy and round palate with almost unnoticeable tannins.

92 points Jeb Dunnuck
Looking first at the 2021 Viognier Central Coast (which is released under the Central Coast label but nevertheless comes all from the estate in Edna Valley), it has a vivid gold hue as well as a great nose of crushed citrus, honeysuckle, and assorted white flower and acacia notes. Medium-bodied, seamless, and elegant, with just a kiss of background toast and brioche, it?€?s a terrific expression of the variety and well worth seeking out.

90 pts Wine Spectator
Orchard blossom and ground ginger are aromatic accents to the ripe Asian pear, stone and lemon pith flavors of this lithe, light-bodied white. Lingering finish. Drink now through 2022

Organic

Whilst the origins of viticulture at Can Vendrell go back to the middle ages, it was not until 1903 that the Albet family established itself at the estate. Joan Albet i Rovirosa came to Can Vendrell to oversee the replanting of the estate after the Phylloxera plague. This process involved planting American rootstock and grafting the desired variety onto that rootstock. After replanting the vineyards he stayed on as manager of the 210 hectare estate of which 90 hectares were vineyards.

It was the fourth and current generation, Josep Maria Albet i Noya, that introduced organic farming methods to the vineyards. Josep Maria took over the management of the estate after his father's death in 1972 and at the end of the seventies started producing his first organic wines. With the success of that first wine produced specifically for the Danish market, they gradually moved the entire estate over to organic farming.

The family also finally acquired the estate that they had been farming for four generations. At this point, they began a long process of continuous rennovation of the cellar, as well as switching 100% of the estate over to organic farming methods.

We currently control 80.6 hectares of vineyards as well as buying grapes from local farmers who have converted to organic farming, paying the highest prices in the Pened??s and advising the farmers to ensure the highest quality.

96 points Vinous
Just bottles, the 2015 Barolo Riserva Cascina Dardi is a real powerhouse. The full-bodied, potent Barolo packs a huge punch. It won't be ready to drink anytime soon, that much is obvious. Time in the glass brings out aromatic intensity and inner perfume. Spice and blood orange accents lend on exotic quality to this dark, layered Barolo. The Riserva is a wine for readers who appreciate the natural fragility of artisan wines, wines that aren't perfect but that perfectly embody the human spirit. - Antonio Galloni Nov. 2021