A Rare Great Value Northern Red Burgundy from the Excellent 2014 Vintage

Régis Bouvier “Les Longeroies Vieilles Vignes” (Marsannay, 2014)
~$28/bottle SOLD OUT

Only a few producers in the Côte d’Or’s northernmost zone of Marsannay have gained international attention for the quality, specificity, and ambitiousness of their wines.Régis Bouvier is regularly mentioned among them. He has a lengthy track record of both consistency and value in this appellation that is quickly growing in prestige.

Régis owns nearly 25 acres of vineyards, mostly in Marsannay, with a few prime parcels in Morey-Saint-Denis and Gevrey-Chambertin. He vinifies all three colors – red, white, and rosé, but the red wines are his crowning achievement, managing to be simultaneously bold and refined, with aromatics to spare. This all the result of managed yields and high quality terroirs.

Domaine Régis Bouvier “Les Longeroies Vieilles Vignes” is 100% Pinot Noir from a 4.5 acre plot of vines over 50 years old. After harvest and fermentation the wine is aged in barrel (30% new French oak) for 12-16 months. It’s a wine that is both rich and sinewy. The generous amount of fruit is grounded by a core of earthy complexity. In other words, a crowd-pleaser. A wine that appeals to casual wine drinkers and the most discerning Burgundy hound.

It is a truly versatile wine. Throw a case in the cellar and pull a bottle for any occasion, an elegant dinner perhaps, or merely hanging out on the patio with friends. These are wines ready to drink but have no problem keeping. Indeed, we had a few bottles of this same cuvée from the 1996 vintage that were still drinking beautifully a couple of years ago. While we don’t recommend holding them that long (you may not have the willpower to hold any at all) there will be no worries of the wine falling apart after a few years.

A value like this is always limited in quantity and will sell out quickly. Give us a call or email if you aren’t able to make the Saturday tasting and you’d like us to reserve a 6-pack for you.

Stretching from Fixin at its southern end to the city of Dijon at its northern end, Marsannay vineyards are on the famous Côte that continues north from Gevrey-Chambertin. Although Marsannay has no Premier Cru designated vineyards there are a handful of lieu-dits, “Les Longeroies” prime among them, on a shortlist for this status upgrade once the French wine governing authority catches up with the the level of excellence coming out of these vineyards. For now, we can revel in the relative affordability of single vineyard Marsannay wines.

From the Cellar

- - -
Posted on 2016.04.20 in France, Saturday Sips Wines, Burgundy