Domaine Odoul-Coquard Nuits-Saint-Georges Aux Saints-Jacques 2014

Philippe Milan Pommard AOC is 100% Pinot Noir

This wine has been aged in Oak (25% new Oak)

This is a little more structured and the style goes more toward the "vin de garde", or wines meant to age. This wine needs some food, or sometime in the decanter right now. It is well structured and reminds me of a Volnay. As a matter of fact, the parcel is located right next to Volnay. The finish is long and still quite juicy with chewy tannins lingering. 

Maurice Protheau Mercurey Rouge Premier Cru 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.

Maurice Protheau Mercurey Blanc Premier Cru Les Champs Martin is 100 percent Chardonnay.

The name "Les Champs Martin" comes from one of the previous owners, Mr. Martin, who was the owner of the land. In French "les champs" means the fields. Literally, the fields of Mr. Martin.

The wine has a beautiful brilliant colour (gold pale). The nose on this young wine is starting to open. A beautiful aromatic profile is already emerging. White flowers and notes of almond tree flowers are enhanced with vanilla bursts, slightly toasted. On the palate the wine has a nice minerality with a good acidity and finishing nicely on some fresh almond aromas. It also has some spicy notes which give to the wine a very good length. The wine is structured on the roundness and amplitude, with a richness and a vivacity which confers a beautiful harmony.

From the 1er Cru "Les Champs Martin", situated in the Northern part of the Mercurey village.
Average age of the vines is 16 years. It was planted in 2001.

The well riped grapes are hand picked in crates in the morning to keep the morning freshness, brought and pressed directly upon arrival at the winery. The must is then decanted in cold, statically, in thermo regulated stainless steel vats. On the following morning, the must is then brought down into the barrels by gravity. It will be intoned in different barrels for 10 to 11 months. It will be stirred during breeding to give it roundness and richness until the end of the malolactic fermentation

Young, as an aperitif or with some shellfishes.
Older, it will match perfectly with a toasted turbot or dishes with fish.

Domaine Charles Pere & Fille Volnay Premier Cru Fremiets is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.

Terroir Soil : Very thin soil with rocks near earth's surface Exposition : South East Average age : 30 years Surface area : 0.6 hectare Yield : 38 hl/ha

Winemaking:Fully destemmed, then vatted for about 15 days and aged in French oak barrels for 18 months. Grapes are picked by hand and transported in small crates in order to prevent berries from being crushed. With the same concern for quality, bunches and grapes are sorted again as soon as they reach the cellar.

Tasting notes: Nice shades of violet and garnet red. On the nose, violet and cherry notes. A wine with a good attack, silky tannins, elegance and, above all, nice length.

Food pairing suggestions: It perfectly complements venison marinade, Bresse chicken. 

Review:

From the Pommard side of Volnay, this wine straddles the smoothness of a Volany with the structure of a Pommard. It offers both immediate richness and ripe black fruits along with a core of dark tannins that will allow this wine to age. Drink from 2022.- Wine Enthusiast 91 Points