Domaine Ragot La Grande Berge 2007 Tasting Notes

Givry rouge Premier Cru La Grande Berge 2004
Givry blanc 2004

This year our Option wines come from the 2004 vintage, and although in Burgundy this was an uneven vintage, in Givry they had been spared the storms that afflicted other communes. But winemaking is not luck. Great wine only comes from grapes that have been nurtured, picked and sorted fastidiously and it is no coincidence that a younger Oz Clark made Domaine Ragot one of his stars from this region. Nicolas is the fifth generation Ragot whose attention to detail has made the family widely respected in this part of the Côte Chalonnaise. No surprise, then, that the judges at the prestigious International Wine Challenge awarded both of our wines a Seal of Approval last year.

Our exclusive Premier Cru La Grande Berge 2004 is fresh and lightly fruity on the nose. Its bouquet of strawberry, cranberry and cherry is complemented on the palate by the toastiness of the new barrels which Jean-Paul bought specially for this vintage. This wine is attractive in its youth, but if you can resist the urge, try and keep a few bottles to try over the next few years as it will gain in complexity. Try it with pheasant and onions simmered in red wine or with Red Leicester cheese. Delicious!

In our Givry blanc 2004, the natural citrus flavours of the Chardonnay grape have been harnessed by maturing 80% of the blend in stainless steel cuves; this is finely balanced with the vanilla and butter notes which come from ageing the rest of the blend in new oak barrels. The resulting smoothness may be enjoyed on its own or with creamy pleasures like foie gras, scallops or veal in a rich sauce – straight from Delia’s cookbook.