Wine of the Week: 2009 Jean Noel Gagnard: "L' Estimee"

"In vino veritas," or "There's Truth in Wine,” is referring to the often confessional loquacity of the intoxicated. ~ Pliny the Elder

Well, the plain truth is this, at the moment I don't have a drop of vino flowing through my system. But that will change very shortly as it's nearly time to jump into the #winestudio to taste a gem from Croatia. Now that said a word about this wine of the week, wow! No, really that was my first impression, a wine with serious substance.

Soon as you pop the cork it's ready to come out and meet you, shake your hand, wearing a beret, poodle by its side, blowing the dust off the bottle, saying "Welcome to Burgundy". All of that without the long plane fight or the need to have your passport stamped.

Can uncorking a wine really say all of that? Perhaps not, but I'd really like to think it's so in some odd esoteric fashion or manner. Meanwhile back at the review, this wine really is quite tasty. I was all about it, soon as I got a splash of it in my mouth, this wine has a core of terrific energy. 
 
Beautiful aromas easily escaping from the glass, revealing a very pretty nose, with notes of freshly farmed earth, red rose petals, and ripe red Washington state cherries. On the palate ripe cherry, plum, and a rich earthy quality, nice weight, structure; plays a compelling note from the first slurp to the last drop.

This great wine comes to you from the amazing Chassagne-Montrachet region in Burgundy. It is a village in the Cote de Beaune sub-region of Burgundy which has its own communal appellation, which was established in 1937.

In my opinion, a remarkable amount of wine for the price, a fine example of plush red Burgundy I'm scoring 90 points and highly recommending that you give it a swirl for yourself. 

If you'd like to know a little more background about the driving-force behind  Domaine Jean-Noël Gagnard (Chassagne-Montrachet) label than meet Jean-Noël’s daughter, Caroline Lestimé who has taken over the day-to-day running of the Domaine since 1989, you can read her full story at here via the Burgundy Report. They did a great in-depth review of Caroline, the winery and the many other wines it produces. You now also follow her on twitter, @LebonVinBlanc.

  

If you are thinking that you'd like to score this wine for yourself, feel free to reach out to the folks at the Protocol Wine Studio. or even any other tasty selections from Domaine Jean-Noel Gagnard. They would be glad to assist you in finding out how to get a few bottles for your own cellar. So until next time folks remember to sip long and prosper cheer!