wUst Fine Wine Imports
wines U should try!
Domaine Pierre Ravaut
This was another fun and unexpected surprise as I didn't originally intend to import any wines from Burgundy given how many Burgundy wines are exported to the U.S. But, I love visiting Burgundy and so I planned to spend the night in Aloxe-Corton while on my way from Alsace to the Southern Rhone. On my way to dinner in Ladoix, I noticed the sign of a local vigneron (Pierre Ravaut) on the wall of his Domaine and then also saw some of his wines offered by the glass at the local restaurant I selected that night.
All of the Ravaut wines I tasted that night were really well made (and delicious too!) and so I visited the Domaine the next morning. The reality of Burgundy, however, is that there is also a pretty limited supply of wine. Pierre seemed amused at my attempts to speak French, however, and enjoyed talking about wine and so he graciously offered to let me import some of his wines.
Five years later...I'm now importing more of his wines and they have developed quite a following for their pure and unmanipulated expressions of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. These wines are effectively made in the vineyard with Pierre's meticulous farming and then state of the art temperature controlled stainless steel fermentation tanks preserve the freshness and expressiveness of the fruit. The wines then develop for usually around a year in mostly previously used
oak barrels (only about ten percent of the barrels are new each year) and the end result is deliciously expressive wines that show the terroir in Pierre's vineyards.
Pierre at his "tasting barrel"
Just a few bottles of Burgundy!
Barrels aging in Pierre's ancient cellar beneath Ladoix
Clos Royer vineyard in February with the Corton hill in the background
The Wines
Bourgogne Cote d'Or Chardonnay 2021 (OF, NF)
Aromas include white flowers, citrus blossoms, narcissus, yellow roses, and Meyer Lemon. Flavors include honeydew melon, white peach, apricot, pear, and green apples. There is a medium body, perfect balance and acidity, and a long saturated finish.
Food pairings would include crab, shrimp, sole, halibut, sea bass, scallops, lobster, seafood salads, veal, pork, chicken, Asian pork, chicken, vegetable, and noodle dishes, light Asian appetizers, vegetable salads, Mexican pork and chicken dishes, enchiladas with creamy or verde sauces, green salads, and mild to medium cheeses.
Ladoix Blanc 2018 (OF, NF)
Aromas include citrus blossoms, honeysuckle, jasmine, lavender, pink grapefruit, and hints of cherries. Flavors include honeydew melon, pear, and green apple. There is a medium to full body, perfect balance and acidity, and a refreshing finish.
Food pairings would include shrimp, crab, lobster, sole, halibut, salade niçoise, veal, pork, chicken, duck confit, and Asian pork, chicken, and seafood dishes. Although the food pairings may appear a bit less than with most of my wines, I also found this delightful for just sipping on and you almost don’t want to eat anything at all.
Bourgogne Cote d'Or Pinot Noir 2021 (OF, NF)
Aromas include dark cherries, dark plums, blackberries, boysenberries, and hints of dark chocolate and raspberries. Flavors include blackberries, boysenberries, dark cherries, and hints of blueberries. There is a medium body, perfect balance and acidity, and a very long medium to full finish.
Food pairings would include Filet Mignon, New York Steak, short ribs, beef stew, veal chops, lamb chops pork chops, tenderloin, and shoulder, chicken, duck, coq au vin, cassoulet, grilled sausages, salmon, swordfish, clams, mussels, seafood pasta, paella, Asian beef, pork, chicken, and seafood dishes, lamb curries, Mexican beef, pork, and chicken dishes, tamales, tacos, charcuterie, and mild, medium, and creamy cheeses. I’m also struck by the very drinkable and juicy character of this wine as I could just sip through a whole bottle over a period of hours.
Cote de Nuits Villages Rouge “Les Monts de Boncourt” 2017 (OF, NF)
Aromas include rich dark fruits such as plums, cherries, blackberries, and boysenberries but together they create a really rich sensory experience. Flavors include blackberries and boysenberries along with hints of cherries, blueberries, and pomegranate. There is a medium to full body, perfect balance and acidity, and a refreshing, fully saturated, minerally finish. For what would be considered a "village" wine, this does capture all the magic of Burgundian terroir.
Food pairings would include Filet Mignon, beef stew, veal cutlets, veal stew, rack of lamb, pork chops, duck, coq au vin, clams, mussels, red snapper, seafood pasta, stews, and soups, Asian pork, chicken, and vegetable dishes, lamb curries, grilled sausages, charcuterie, and mild, medium, rich, and creamy cheeses.
Ladoix Clos Royer 2020 (OF, NF)
This wine is from an enclosed vineyard close to the center of the Ladoix village. Although not classified as a "Premier Cru" site, this wine has delightful nuances and complexity comparable to many Premier Cru Red Burgundies. Aromas include dark cherries, dark plums, blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries. Flavors include dark cherries, dark plums, blackberries, boysenberries, and blueberries. There is a medium to full body, perfect balance and acidity, and a long and persistent medium finish.
Food pairings would include Filet Mignon, New York Steak, rib eye, short ribs, beef stew, veal chops, lamb, pork chops, tenderloin, and shoulder, chicken, duck, coq au vin, cassoulet, salmon, swordfish, crab, clams, seafood pasta, Asian and Mexican beef, pork, and chicken dishes, lamb curries, beef enchiladas, tacos, and medium to creamy cheeses.
Aloxe-Corton "Vieilles Vignes" 2015 (OF, NF)
Initial aromas are of dark cocoa, rich old roses, and ripe peaches. Flavors include dark cherries, plums, pomegranate, black currants, and mild strawberry. The elegantly balanced medium body is then complemented and accented with a rich saturated mouthfeel. Overall, this is very refreshing with the rich mineral content of the Aloxe-Corton vineyards.
Food pairings would include filet mignon, New York Steak, short ribs, beef bourguignon, lamb, roast pork, grilled tuna, Asian beef dishes, rich pasta dishes, charcuterie, mild sausages, grilled vegetables, and soft and rich cheeses.
Aloxe-Corton Premier Cru 2014 (OF, NF)
This is a really rich and complex wine. Aromas are of old roses, ripe cherries, and raspberry compote. Flavors include blackberries, black currants, dark licorice, and hints of cinnamon. The initial entry seems a bit tannic but then the wine flows smoothly across the palate along with a rich saturated mouthfeel. For its overall power, there is also perfect balance and acidity.
Food pairings include filet mignon, New York Steak, rib eye, roast beef, short ribs, lamb, elk, venison, salmon, grilled shrimp, roast chicken, Asian beef dishes, vegetable casseroles, and rich and hard cheeses.
