Country: | France |
Region: | Burgundy |
Winery: | Maurice Protheau |
Grape Type: | Pinot Noir |
Vintage: | 2019 |
Bottle Size: | 750 ml |
Grand Veneur Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge Les Origines is made from 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 20% Syrah
Matured in vats (grenache) and in oak casks (syrah and mourvèdre).
Deep and brilliant, purple-red colour. An exciting nose with aromas of black fruit (blackcurrant, cherry) spices and vanilla. This great aromatic complexity is found on the palate : the spices and ripe fruit appear with an elegant woodiness and harmonious tannins. The finish has good aromatic length and introduces a touch of liquorice and pepper.
A terrific Châteauneuf du Pape with great concentration and finesse.
Best between 2 and 20 years. Best to decant if young (less than 5 years old).
Soil type Extreme north of Châteauneuf du Pape. This plateau is made with a high quantity of red clay mixed with rocks. This area is considerated to be one of the best to produce rich and powerful red wines. By definition, LES ORIGINES will always deliver a great complexity and ageing potential. Winemaking & ageing Harvest is sorted by hand, destemmed and crushed. Fermentation temperature is controlled at 30°C. Vatting period of 18 to 20 days. Matured in vats (grenache) and in oak casks (syrah and mourvèdre).
Review:
"The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Origines is also deep purple-hued and has a classic bouquet of crème de cassis and blackberry fruits intermixed with notions of graphite, chocolate, and spicy wood. Rich, full-bodied, and concentrated, this is beautifully done and despite its more modern elevage, it has plenty of Provençal character and charm."
- Jeb Dunnuck (October 2020), 94-96+ pts
"Warm in feel, with a gush of plum puree and blackberry paste flavors, liberally laced with black licorice and roasted alder notes. A solidly built, modern version, with a nice tug of warm earth on the back end. Best from 2022 through 2034. —J.M."
- Wine Spectator's Insider (June 9th 2021), 93 pts
Bertrand Bachelet Maranges Rouge 1er Cru Les Clos Roussots is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.
The Maranges appellation is the youngest of the Côte de Beaune family, making its debut in May 1989. It spans three villages: Dezize-lès-Maranges, Cheilly-les-Maranges and Sampigny-les-Maranges. Several hills and slopes make up the appellation; they face south/south-east, at an altitude of between 200 and 400 meters. This appellation produces mainly red wines comprising 95% of total production.
The Maranges 1ers Crus are spread over seven distinct terroirs: "Les Clos Roussots", which represents the second largest terroir of the appellation, spans the Cheilly-les-Maranges and Sampigny-les-Maranges areas.
The wine boasts a beautiful bright red color. The nose provides subtle harmony between red and black fruits, spices and vanilla. On the palate, this wine is both solid and fresh, harmonious and bold.
Enjoy with a veal roast and sweet potatoes or matured cheeses.
Boussey Monthelie Blanc Premier Cru Sur La Velle is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
The name Monthelie comes from Mont Lyoei, mountain of Bacchus. The "Sur la Velle" plot is located on the eastern edge of Monthélie. It borders the Volnay Clos des Chênes Premier Cru to the east. The vineyards here lie on broadly southeast facing slopes with just enough gradient to achieve good drainage.
The Monthelie Blanc Premier Cru Sur La Velle has a beautiful pale yellow color with green reflections.
It is complex and rich with delicious aromas of white flowers, fresh almonds, lemon and minerality.
The finish is long with a very good balance between the excellent ripeness and the perfect amount of acidity.
We recommend this wine with white meat, fish and seafood.
Boussey Monthelie Rouge Premier Cru Sur La Velle is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.
The grapes for this wine are coming from the parcel located in Monthelie, on the plateau right next to Volnay. They usually produce balanced wines, with a lot of freshness and elegance.
The wine displays aromas of red fruits, with floral notes (violet) and spice. After cellaring for a couple of years, the wine will develop some secondary aromas with truffle and forest flavors.
Delicious with game terrine, sirloin steaks and strong cheese.
Chateau Talbot Saint-Julien Grand Cru Classe is made from 69 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 26 % Merlot, 5 % Petit Verdot.
The wine presents a delicate and captivating nose of black fruits, fresh tobacco, peppermint and floral nuances. Ripe and juicy fruit flavors of black currants on the palate with well integrated velvety tannins and a beautiful refreshing acidity to the long finish.
For the 2018 vintage, a special packaging with a unique silkscreen printing bottle was created to mark the 100th anniversary of the Cordier Family's acquisition of Chateau Talbot
Pair with red meat, roast pork, game meat, poultry, hard cheeses, poached pear.
"Well-built and rather refined for the vintage, with a deep well of red and black currant paste and plum reduction flavors supported by a deeply inlaid iron note, all of which run the length of the wine. Offers subtle savory, tobacco and singed cedar notes that add range, with a savory echo that leaves a mouthwatering feel in the end. Built to cellar. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2025 through 2040. - James Molesworth"
- Wine Spectator (March 2022), 95 pts
Florence Cholet Auxey-Duresses Rouge Premier Cru Les Ecussaux is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.
The nose expresses a nice bouquet of black fruits, cherry and violet. The mouth provides a rich and supple wine with a good tannin structure.
Chateau d'Etroyes Mercurey Rouge Premier Cru Clos l'Eveque is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.
The "Clos l'Evêque" was in the XVIII century the best vineyard in Mercurey. It belonged to the Bishopric of Chalon-sur-Saône, near Mercurey, and the wine was used for the bishop' receptions as well as for the masses (only the best wine could be served to God). In French "Evêque" means Bishop. It is also called a "Clos" because the vines used to be surrounded by a wall. Some parts of it still remain.
Lovely garnet color, medium intensity, limpid and bright, beautiful tears. The nose, clean and elegant, evokes ripe red and black fruits, rapsberry, cherry, blackberry, blueberry; the aeration is enriched by fine woody notes, roasted coffee, cocoa and a hint of licorice. The palate is ample, full, round and fleshy with a fruity expression of a beautiful purity; the evolution shows a fine substance, silky tannins supported by the freshness; the whole, perfectly balanced, presents a long torrefied finish on sweet spices.
From the 1er Cru "Clos l'Eveque", situated in the Northern part of the Mercurey village.
Harvesting is done manually and in crates to avoid trituration and bursting of the berries. The grapes are totally de-stemmed and put into tanks at low temperature for 3 days minimum. The maximum fruit is extracted. Pumping and some light pigeages will allow us to extract the coloring matter and tannins, which will promise us a good aging. The fermentation temperature will rise gradually to more than 30°C in order to stabilize the color. Once the sugars are finished, about 15 days minimum, maceration ends in closed tank for the final outcome of the wine.
The juice from the vat will be drawn off, then the solid material will be pressed into a pneumatic press and will be added in small touches to the free-run juice. After settling of the juice for 24 hours, the wines are intoned for aging in oak barrels for a period of 11 months. Malolactic fermentation will gradually start and will end in barrels.
Pairs with Beautiful meats (roast beef) and cheese. After the wine has aged, it can also be served with game.
Review:
"The toast, tar and licorice notes of oak play on the nose of this wine, obscuring the cherry fruit. Ripe, juicy dark cherry and a vein of freshness show on the palate as the oak notes recede and form a backdrop along with firm but fine tannin. The finish is balanced, rounded and juicy. Anne KREBIEHL MW"
- Wine Enthusiast (December 2020), 92 pts
The roots of the PROTHEAU family - winegrowers from father to son - have plunged into the soil since 1720. Thanks to the determination and perfectionism of the 7 generation old-family estate, the vineyard expanded to reach today a surface area of 50 hectares - 38 hectares in Mercurey and 12 hectares in Rully. For the past 40 years, the family has dedicated itself to viticultural which resulted in the creation of DOMAINE MAURICE PROTHEAU ET FILS. This magnificent family vineyard extends in the best appellations where the Maurice Protheau family strives to produce “cuvées” worthy of the greatest Burgundy’s wines. By mixing craft industry and tradition with the best technological tools and avant-garde methods while respecting the traditional touch that has made the fame of Domaine Maurice Protheau.
Date Founded: 1930
Owner: Philippe Protheau
Winery Philosophy: To do even better than what we already do best
1720 - The first PROTHEAU family members cultivate the vineyard in Mercurey.
1886 - François PROTHEAU was born in Touche - today a commune of Mercurey.
1902 - François PROTHEAU was the winemaker and broker of fine Burgundy wines, created his own trading house of Fine Wines.
1925 - Maurice PROTHEAU was born in Bourgneuf Val d'Or, Mercurey town today.
1930 - François PROTHEAU bought the Château d' ETROYES and "LE CLOS DE LA FAUCONNIÈRE" for the sum of 130,000 gold francs. This Clos will become in 1985 "LE CLOS DES NOITERONS".
1939 - François and Maurice PROTHEAU planted "LES ORMEAUX" in Chardonnay. They thus become precursors of the first white Mercurey.
1955 - François PROTHEAU died and Maurice succeeded him at the head of the trading activity and the viticultural estate of Mercurey.
1969 - Maurice PROTHEAU bought the DOMAINE DU CLOS DE L'EVÊQUE as well as the 3 ha 50 of fallow land next to it. The creation of this vineyard will end in 1979. The first blows of pickaxes are given to Rully in the parcel of “LES FROMANGES”. He completely restored the vineyard.
1979 - By completing the plantation of the "CLOS DES NOITERONS", Maurice PROTHEAU put an end to the polyculture at the Domaine.
1980 - Maurice PROTHEAU separated the wine business from the wine estate by creating the Société Civile du Domaine Maurice PROTHEAU & Fils. The new cellars of CLOS L'EVÊQUE are completed for the harvest.
1985 - Thanks to the reorganization of the Mercurey terroir, the Domaine operated 0.06 hectares (0.15 acres) of MERCUREY 1ST CRU CLOS L'EVÊQUE white and 10 hectares of MERCUREY 1ST CRUS.
1990 - The CLOS L'EVÊQUE winery was completely redesigned: stainless steel vats, thermo regulated, robotic pigeage, pneumatic presses...
1992 - Martine and Philippe PROTHEAU created the Civil Society of the DOMAINE DES FROMANGES by taking over the management of the Rully vineyard.
1996 - Maurice PROTHEAU and his children decided to sell the trading business to dedicate themselves to the operation of their Domaines that represented more than 50 hectares. They then signed a commercial exclusivity agreement with this new partner.
2002 - After the disappearance of their trading partner, the vineyards regained their commercial independence and sold their production directly. The Domaine was committed to sustainable viticulture, but did not yet have the qualification.
2003 - The two Domaines merged to give birth to the S.C.E.A. DU CHATEAU D’ETROYES - DOMAINE MAURICE PROTHEAU
2004 - The Domaine's sales already exceeded 100,000 bottles shipped from the Château's cellars.
2005 - Maurice PROTHEAU died in December. The destiny of the Domaine was in the hands of his children Michelle, Martine and Philippe who have already worked on the estate for many years, each one of them in their specialty. Philippe manages the vineyard, Martine vinifies the wines and Michelle takes care of the orders from their customers all over the world.
The MERCUREY 1ST CRU “CUVÉE SIGNATURE” was born to pay tribute to Monique and Maurice PROTHEAU - this cuvée comes from the 10 best barrels of the Domaine and will be produced only during great vintages.
2008 - Birth of the CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE ROSÉ BRUT.
2011 - The temperature regulation set up in the CLOS L'EVÊQUE winery was reviewed and the cellars and wine cellar are now air-conditioned.
2014 - Their new cuvée was born: the BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY.
Color: Deep Red
Nose : Red fruits (raspberry, black-current) and flowers (violet).
Palate : Full, rich and ample, long finish, nice concentration.
Aging potential : 7 to 9 years
Surface : 22 Ha. Yield : 40 Hl./Ha. Vineyard age : 40 years Terroir : Clay / chalk, clay / limestone and sandy with pebble stones. Harvest : by hand Vinification : 100% destemmed , long 30 days maceration with a maximum of 34°C temperature
Pairs well with red meats, grilled meats, game and cheeses.
Super-concentrated and mineral. Release always trails the regular Sancerre Blanc by a year so it has extra time in both tank and bottle.
An understated charm on the nose, revealing elegant aromas of yellow fruits like apricot and mirabelle plum, along with hints of anise and marzipan. A touch of green pepper adds a light and airy quality. On the palate, it offers a crisp and delightful experience, with flavors of plum and orange wedge, culminating in a chalky, saline finish.
VINEYARDS: The vineyards are planted in Terroir of Kimmeridgian marls (calcareous clay with encrustation of oyster and mussel fossils) from the Jurassic time. Trellised vines are averaged around 30 years old and have a planting density of 8000 vines/ha. Tillage takes place in the rows until the bud burst, the rest of the year to natural grass covers. The Côte des Monts Damnés is located in Chavignol. Steep hillsides (declivity up to 70%), facing south, with an altitude that ranges from 650 to 980 feet.
VINTAGE: The grapes matured in cooler temperatures than in recent years, so the 2021 vintage is in line with other vintages that conform to the temperate climate of the Centre-Loire wine region.
VINIFICATION AND MATURATION: The grapes were handpicked and had a light cold static settling to eliminate the coarsest lees. Fermentation and aging took place in stainless steel tanks (88%) and 10 years old wooden vats (12%). After, the wine was aged on fine fermentation lees for 9 months.
Bernardins Muscat Beaumes Venise VDN 100% Muscat petits grains (75% Blanc, 25% Red)
Copper/rose hue and ripe soft aromas of orange, spice and flowers. The wine is full bodied with the texture of silk and flavors of orange custard, white peach, pear, apricot, toffee and orange peel.
The vineyards and their terroir are the essence of our wines. This is where everything starts and where we focus our efforts throughout the year. You can’t make great wine without great grapes.
The viticulture is essentially done by hand. Five people work full-time in the vineyards. They are supplemented by seasonal employees who work during bunch thinning and the harvest in order to bring out the very best in our vines. Working by hand and the attention each vine gets are fundamental. Pruning, de-budding, trellising, leaf removal and picking are thus carried out by hand with the utmost care.
We prepare the soil by using good old-fashioned ploughing. Organic compost is made from grape marc (the discarded stalks and skins).
As a way of protecting the plants, we only use phytosanitary products when necessary and within strict guidelines by staggering the treatments appropriately, to minimise the amount of chemicals used. We prefer to use as much as possible manual and organic techniques . Leaving natural grass cover, removing buds and leaves from the vines, preserving biodiversity around the vineyard: olive, almond and cypress trees, wild rosemary and capers.
In the spirit of respecting traditional techniques and the best elements of modern technology, cellar manager Andrew Hall and his winemaker son Romain Hall take family traditions very seriously.
When making our wines, the Muscat de Beaumes de Venise plays a central role and requires great care. After picking the grapes by hand, we press them straightaway to ferment the juice without skins. We don’t add any yeasts and keep the alcoholic fermentation in check by temperature control. Vin Doux Naturel winemaking involves stopping fermentation to preserve the grapes’ natural sweetness. During vinification, we watch the vats day and night and add the fortifying spirit just at the right moment. At this stage, the wine’s final balance is at stake. The wine is then aged in stainless steel tanks for 6 months before bottling.
Review:
"Butterscotch and apricot jam aromas. A lighter vintage of this cuvée, but very fresh and drinkable, and the best Muscat of the vintage by far. 110g/L residual sugar. In conversion to organic. - Matt WALLS"
- Decanter (November 2024), 91 pts