Wednesday, November 14, 2007

2005 de Villaine "Les Clous" - WBW #39

Domaine de Villaine has a commanding lead for Joe's 2007 "Winery of the Year" award: three for three, with high scores today, and previously for a white (1) and a red (2) - all at prices under $33 (tax in).

Brooklynguy is the host for tonight's Wine Blogging Wednesday, "Silver Burgundy". My selection is the 2005 Domaine de Villaine "Les Clous", a Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise made from Chardonnay grown in the Bouzeron appelation. A deep, deep, gold in the glass, and very aromatic - it started all floral - lavender - with a good dose of honey, apricot, fresh-picked ripe apples, butter and a hint of sweet cinnamon. Very elegant on the palate, perhaps thin while still cold, but very flavourul, crisp and minerally as it warmed. What can I say? Another great de Villaine outing. I usually refrain from shouting "Great Value!" over the $20 price point, but I can't help myself tonight.
cork. 12.5% alcohol
Score: 18/20
Price: $26 (SAQ)

From my tastings of de Villaine's Bouzeron wines, it is clear that serving them at refrigerator temperature is plain wrong - they open up and come alive over 10 Celsius. Do not overly chill these and you will be rewarded with flavourful wines revealing breathtaking bouquets.

I promised more Burgundy in 2007, so thanks to Neil for kicking my butt and hosting a Burgundy-focused evening. Check out his site for more Silver Burgundy reviews from other bloggers.

Cheers!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

sounds like another winner joe - thanks for participating. how would you rate this compared to the aligote you tasted from villaine a little while ago? thanks again - neil

RougeAndBlanc said...

Joe,
Villaine sound like a solid producer. Who is the importer for this wine? I wonder if CA wine retailers share the same importer with their US counterparts.

Edward said...

"more Burgundy in 2007" - sounds expensive:)

Joe said...

Hi Neil, while I rated the two equally, I would say this - the Aligote was "wow" and "different", terribly interesting. The Chardonnay was refined and elegant, a more subtle wine. Both were better at warmer temperatures, and both seem to have ageing potential...

Hi Andrew - the Quebec government! Doubt the yanks would allow those suspicious Frenchmen from the north muscle in on the distribution. Please tell me if you can find it anywhere down there - it always sells out up here.

Hi Edward - it has been a VERY expensive year, let's hope Santa is good to me...

Barry said...

Wednesday is 'D' day Joe..or 'A' day..as in Aligote..I will be tasting it with two wine friends..................

Barry

Joe said...

Hi Barry, I can't wait to hear - not too cold, and let it air!