The final day of the event started a little too early for some, with the formal tasting, an opportunity to look at a serious collection of Burgundy and explore ‘Les Climats of Burgundy’. The wines themselves made for an interesting tasting, to have on the panel Aubert de Villane, made it a once in a lifetime moment. The line up;
Domaine Chevrot Maranges Villages Sur le Chene 2010
Domaine Chevrot Maranges Villages 1er Cru Le Clos Roussots 2010
Domaine Marquis d Angerville Volnay 1er Cru Taillepieds 2008
Domaine Marquis d Angerville Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Ducs 2008
Domaine Dujac Echezeaux Grand Cru 2008
DRC Echezeaux Grand Cru 2008
The two Maranges wines up first punched well above their class, showing not only the brilliance of the 2010 vintage but reminding of the quality of a somewhat lesser known village and the value you can still find in burgundy. Each pair had a similar voice and character, the Volnays pretty fragrant and although both 1er Cru are positioned relatively close to each other, clearly demonstrating the individuality of the climat. The last pair were both superb wines- as you’d expect, whilst showing a similarity in character from place, the role of the winemaker was significant in the character of these wines. Whilst the 2010 vintage wines were a lovely start to this tasting, the 2008’s reminded one not to right off a so called lesser vintage, or as Aubert de Villane put it a more difficult year, these wines were sensational.
There was much discussion on the wines, climat and a bunch of conversation that you’d wonder firstly how it translates from kiwi and secondly the relevance – Public toilets and thinking time – really? Anyway, as always thought provoking and stimulating. There was comparison to Burgundy and thankfully agreement that Central Otago as a wine growing region does not have similarities to Burgundy, it is it’s own special part if the world and a magical one at that. Maybe we are one step closer to being proud of nz made wines without feeling a great desire to compare ourselves to and strive to be French. An analogy that I did enjoy was the similarity of the people behind the great wines of Burgundy and Central Otago, all driven by that same passion for great wine.