Domaine Désertaux-Ferrand, Burgundy

Vincent Désertaux

  • July 2011. Having just returned from a trip to Burgundy, I am inspired by many of the wines I tasted there. One vigneron who is making cracking wine across the range is Vincent Désertaux at Domaine Désertaux-Ferrand – which is based in Corgoloin right at the intersect between the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits. Recent investment in new technology, as well as consistently good viticulture and winemaking results in a style that is fruity, fragrant and delicious to drink. His reds age brilliantly - classic burgundies in fact!  

Domaine Pillot, Burgundy

Laurent and Catherine Pillot

  • June 2011. The affable Laurent and Catherine Pillot at Domaine Pillot in Mercurey.  We tasted the 2009s today [21st]. They surface next year and they're absolutely sublime - beautifully made with exotic Pinot aromas and elegant, lingering flavours of red and black cherry fruit, cream and spice.  Can't wait snap some up next June!

Domaine Drouin, Burgundy

Portes Ouvertes - Domaine Drouin

  • June 2011. On Saturday 11th - Sunday 12th June, Thierry Drouin will be holding his first Porte Ouverte at his domaine in the Mâconnais region. He plans to include a ‘lazy vineyard walk’ and present some local food producers – there will even be an opportunity to taste some of his brand new Domaine Drouin Pouilly-Fuissé jam! Thierry welcomes 3D Partners to join him.

Domaine Chevrot, Burgundy 

Domaine Chevrot

  • June 2011. 3D vignerons in the Côte d'Or report that the weather has been very dry and sunny and the vines are three weeks ahead in their development. This points towards an end of August harvest. 2011 ... perhaps a Californian vintage in Burgundy?

 

Kahurangi Estate, New Zealand

Look whos drinking Kahurangi

  • May 2011. Partners who do not recognise the man but recognise the wine (from our New Zealand vineyard Kahurangi Estate), this is the NZ Prime Minister Mr John Key - he obviously has a discerning palate!

 

Champagne Fresne Ducret, Champagne

Pierre Fresne - remuage

  • May 2011. The Fresne family have been making champagne in the pretty little village of Villedommange, just eight kilometres from Reims, for seven generations. Pierre and Daniella Fresne are inviting Partners to their domaine in April 2012 for something truly unique ... the opportunity to become a chef de cave, putting together your very own champagne assemblage from the Fresne Ducret base wine. 

Kahurangi Estate, New Zealand

Harvest at Kahurangi

  • April 2011. Greg and Amanda have now just about completed their 2011 harvest. Greg is feeling ebullient, with good healthy grapes being picked once more under clear blue skies. Partners will be amongst the first in the UK to receive the 2011 vintage of a NZ Sauvignon Blanc. By the beginning of October, Partners will be able to unscrew the screwcap and take in the amazingly exotic fragrance of passion fruit, 
    lime and freshly mown grass. 

Maison Lenique, Champagne

  • Assemblage 2011 Maison LeniqueMarch 2011. Blending finished for another year with the affable Bertrand Robinet for our Champagne Cuvée 3D.  We settled on a blend of 40% Chardonnay (20% from Mesnil), 30% Pinot and 30% Vin de Reserve. It will be released 2013/14 after the magic bubbles have done their job. A typical elegant, lemony, mineral Lenique once again. Have patience!

Montirius, Rhône Valley

  • Eric Saurel, preparing base winesMarch 2011. Partners in our Rhône biodynamic vineyard, Montirius, have been invited by Eric and Christine Saurel to join them for a ‘l’équilibre naissant du vin’ (the birth of the wine). Partners will get to experience a unique tasting from rows of wine samples; each row representing the young wine taken each day from a tank. 
    This is the first contact with the new vintage whilst the grapes are still in their juice – and allows Eric and Christine to ascertain the precise day and hour of de-vatting.

Domaine Désertaux-Ferrand

  • IWC TrophyOur Côte de Nuits-Villages blanc 2008 is awarded the French White Blend Trophy at the 2010 International Wine Challenge. Vincent Désertaux is equally excited about his 2009 vintage - released to Partners in June 2011. Like last year’s lovely Trophy-winner, this is very special indeed with a nose of white flowers and subtle toasty oak and a palate that has minerality and subtlety, but lovely richness and length too.