Domaine Chevrot Le Bois de Clémentine 2005 Tasting Notes

Maranges rouge Le Bois de Clémentine 2003
Hautes Côtes de Beaune blanc 2003 

This year’s wines are from the canicule (heatwave) vintage of 2003.  The exceptionally hot, dry weather following some late spring frosts resulted in a very low yield.  This led to a high concentration of natural sugars and flavours coupled with low acidity in both the red and white grapes - hardly typical of burgundy!  Despite the fact that 2003 is completely different from the ‘classic’ burgundian vintage of 2002, it is nevertheless outstanding - albeit for relatively early drinking rather than cellaring.

Our red burgundy is the exclusive Maranges Le Bois de Clémentine and this year the Pinot Noir grapes have low tannins and bags of mouth-watering fruit flavours.  The Bois de Clémentine is always aged in oak barrels, 50% of which are new, and this augments the tannins in the wine -especially important in a year like 2003.  This vintage is more concentrated than normal and despite the oak ageing is going to be more approachable earlier than its predecessors; we advise drinking in the order 2000, 2003, 1999, 2001, 2002.  

Our white burgundy is the exclusive Hautes-Côtes de Beaune blanc made from the hand-picked Chardonnay grapes from the vineyard immediately behind the farmhouse.  It too is smoother than usual due to low acidity and it is thus hugely appealing as an apéritif.  Buttery-smooth on the palate courtesy of gentle oaking, it is also refreshingly citrussy and will be excellent with fish or white meat - or why not try it with cheese - it goes well with a whole range from creamy and mild to blue and stinky!