Domaine Ragot 2006 Tasting Notes

Givry rouge 2003 & Givry blanc 2003 

Our ‘Option’ wines this year come from the spectacular 2003 vintage, one of the hottest in living memory.  Excessive heat is not necessarily a good thing for winemakers, and many produced wines which were out of balance.  However, Jean-Paul Ragot adapted his practices in the vineyard to counter the extremes of the year, and as a result, he has produced powerful, fruity wines which retain all the necessary balance.  

The hottest summer on record did not get off to an auspicious start, as hail and frost decimated the vines in the early part of the year.  This pointed towards a small harvest, but yields were reduced further by the hot, dry summer.  This is a ‘one-off’ vintage, and it is unlikely that any of us will see it repeated.  Here in the Côte Chalonnaise it has resulted in wines which are far from typical of the region, but none the worse for that - they have a power and richness normally found in more southerly climes.

Jean-Paul’s Pinot Noir revelled in these conditions, producing wine with deep colour, packed with black-fruit flavours of cherry and blackberry, underscored by velvety-smooth tannins.  The fruity nature of the wine makes it well suited for early drinking, but the ripe tannins should ensure a long life.  The robust nature of this vintage makes it a perfect match for flavoursome foods such as game.

The key with the Chardonnay was to pick early enough to retain acidity, while leaving the fruit on the vine long enough for maximum ripeness.  A precarious balancing act which Jean-Paul has carried off with ease!  The resulting Givry blanc is a rich, buttery Chardonnay, balanced with fresh, lemony acidity.  It will be at its best drunk young, and perfect with white meat, salads and poultry.