Mission Codename Trio of Terroir
“Domaine Bretagna is known for its exquisite reds.” - Forbes
Ever envy deep cellared, deep-pocketed Burgundy collectors? Members of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, the supreme bacchanalian fraternity?
This is the entry ticket into that big-league with just one click.
We did the work! Tons of research and bargaining, to bring you the ultimate TRIO of the very best of DRC - Domaine de la Romanée-Conti - levels of pedigree, for literally a song, in comparison. Say, just a bottle of the most ‘affordable’ 2016 DRC will set you back easily 3x the cost of this 3-pack. No joke. It does help when we can finagle a near 40% discount from the release prices…
Adding 1 to your Locker counts as 3 bottles, so don’t worry if you can afford only a few!
We’re talking DRC neighbor vineyards here, Les Beaux Monts is between Grand Crus Richebourg and Échezeaux. Clos de la Perrière, Bertagna’s Monopole (a very rare designation of single ownership around here) is essentially a Grand Cru too, between Clos Vougeot and Musigny. And Les Plantes right in that vicinity, one of a handful of 1er Crus right in the heart of Chambolle. Three stops right along the Route des Grands Crus, the Champs-Élysées of Burgundy!
Think of it as a VIP tour of the Côte de Nuits in just 3 bottles. Minus jetlag and accommodations.
The history of Domaine Bertagna goes back to the 12th century when the Cistercian monks of Cîteaux Abbey established what is now Clos de Vougeot. Fast forward eight centuries (cause who has all day?), to 1982 when the Reh family takes ownership, and the rebirth of this iconic Domaine and its invaluable holdings begins. Time and again, they have affirmed being part of the aristocracy that makes Burgundy the most heralded corner of all in the whole wide world of wine.
Mind you all Pinot fans across the board - thanks to the opulence of the vintage, along with the modern winemaking at Domaine Bertagna these days, these are some of the most fruit-forward reds in all of Burgundy. And that is both in purity AND intensity, while still fully displaying those subtle nuances of terroir that vary immensely on a micro-scale, even between sites in the closest proximity.
Fine Wine Geek, a highly respectable expert, connoisseur, and a drinking buddy of Agent Noir’s was at a prerelease tasting of these 3 years ago, concluding that these 2016s are “quality wines worth seeking out.” His ratings and notes were: 94-95 on the Vosne: “really rich, long, and complex, great potential, so intense and extracted.” 92-93 on the Chambolle: “Complex, expansive in the mouth, very open and giving now” 91-93 on the Vougeot: “lots of baby fat and blackberry fruit, quite tasty.”
Only 1-2 barrels of each imported so highly limited as all top-of-the-line Burgundy sadly is.
1) Les Beaux Monts Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru
94 Points – Wine Enthusiast “From one of the Premier Cru vineyards that surround the cluster of legendary Grand Crus in Vosne-Romanée, this opulent wine is rich with perfumed red fruits, with hints of wood aging showing in the smoky character. Acidity gives freshness to a wine that needs to age. Drink from 2024.”
90 Points – Burghound “From .92 ha (of 11.37 ha). A still brooding if ripe and spicy nose reluctantly offers up notes of poached plum, dark cherry and whiffs of violet and exotic tea. There is good richness to the muscular and intense medium-bodied flavors… I like the complexity and the density is admirable… Drink 2028+”
2) Clos de la Perrière Monopole Vougeot 1er Cru
93 Points – Wine Enthusiast “This vineyard, wholly owned by the producer, lies next to the north end of Clos de Vougeot. Old vines and low yields give the wine a dense texture. The ripe, smoky character is dark, firm and needs several years more aging. Drink from 2024.”
91 Points, Outstanding! – Burghound “From a 2.25 ha monopole. Dense aromas of poached plum, black currant, spice and warm earth. The supple yet serious medium-bodied flavors possess a caressing mouthfeel and evident minerality on the mildly tangy finish… the markedly firm tannins appear to be completely ripe so I suspect that this will ultimately harmonize… Patience strongly suggested. Drink 2028+.
3) Les Plantes Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru
91 Points, Outstanding! – Burghound
“From a .23 ha parcel. A variety of spiced dark berry fruit aromas precede solidly concentrated, indeed powerful, middle weight flavors that are presently quite compact and display a bit of the natural robustness of Les Plantes that borders on rusticity. However, there is already budding complexity and if allowed time this should mature into something quite interesting. Patience will be required though.”
What the Winery Says
2016 'Côte de Nuits 1er Crus Picks' 3 Pack
- Director / proprietor
- Eva Reh
- Cellarmaster
- Denis Rozat
- Head of vineyard
- Arnaud Lecoeur
- Varietals
- 100% Pinot Noir
- Vintage
- 2016
- Alcohols
- 13.5%
- Appellations
- Vosne-Romanée, Vougeot & Chambolle-Musigny, Côte de Nuits
- Vineyards
- Les Beaux Monts 1er Cru, Clos de la Perrière 1er Cru, Les Plantes 1er Cru
- Vine age
- 60-80 years
- Destemming:
- 30-50% on Vosne & Vougeot, 100% on Chambolle
- Aging
- 15-18 months
- Barrels
- 50% new Burgundian oak