The Fixin appellation lies just north of the more famous Gevrey-Chambertin appelation and is one of the most northerly villages in Burgundy. A small appellation (just over 90 hectares of vineyard), the wines have not achieved the fame of its neighbour, with no Grand Crus and only a few Premiers Cru vineyards. Wine from the appellation may carry the label Fixin or Côte de Nuits-Villages.Generally speaking, Fixin is not known for compelling wines, but can be a source of values (in that "alternate price universe" of Burgundy). It was this limited knowledge of Fixin as a source of values and the great 2005 vintage that led to this purchase.
The 2005 Domaine Berthaut Fixin was a touch perplexing - slow to evolve, the patient observer was later regaled with scents of earthy truffles, leather, smoke and flint, and late-appearing raspberry notes. On the palate this old-school Burgundy was very austere, almost hollow, but well-balanced and showing velvety tannins, focused acidity. Give this wine some time to open up, but probably best to stick it away for a few years.
cork. 13% alcohol
Score: 16.5/20
Price C$34.50 (SAQ)
Yes, there is a 2005 Nicolas Potel Santenay in that picture - I have raved about in the past (1,2).
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2 comments:
Hey Joe - had the Charlopin Fixin 2005 Sat nite with Clarissa...very similar experience. Value in the alternative universe of Burgundy, but I'm 3-for-3 now on '05s that need way more time in the bottle.
Lloyd
Hi Guest Blogger! Did you get that at SAQ? I don't see that anywhere. I have also had great success with the '05 Burgs, but I haven't found they all need cellaring (admittedly many were lower end wines). However, enough of them hinted at better things to come that I need buy up some more and sock them away. An experiment for the future...Cheers!
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