Domaine Ragot La Grande Berge 2006 Tasting Notes

Givry rouge Premier Cru La Grande Berge 2003
Givry blanc 2003 

This year’s wines are from the unique 2003 vintage - a year that saw a bizarre combination of weather conditions that challenged winemakers throughout France.  Hail and frost in the spring reduced potential yields, and this was followed by the hottest, driest summer in living memory, which reduced the harvest further, but gave super-ripe grapes capable of making wines of unbelievable quality.  It also presented unique problems - high sugar levels and low acidity meant winemakers had to be very careful in order to produce balanced wines.

Over the years Jean-Paul Ragot has built up a deserved reputation among his peers for his fastidious approach to winemaking, which is now amply reflected in the quality and consistency of his wines.  Although his 2003 wines are atypical, they are very good - our Grande Berge 2003 was awarded a Seal of Approval at last year’s International Wine Challenge in London.

Jean-Paul’s red Givry has gone from strength to strength, and his 2003 vintage is his most powerful wine to date.  Our exclusive premier cru, La Grande Berge, shows rich, dark fruit flavours, with plum and black cherry to the fore. Behind this lie hints of sous-bois (undergrowth) and a suggestion of vanilla, betraying its élevage in new oak.  Smooth and supple on the palate, with velvety rich tannins, this is a wine that is attractive in its youth, but will gain in complexity over the next few years.  It is a robust wine, which will stand up to powerful foods such as casseroles and game.

2003 was more difficult for Chardonnay, but Jean-Paul picked early to retain acidity.  His grapes still attained a high degree of richness, and the tropical fruit flavours are perfectly balanced by lemon acidity and a vanilla character.  Due to time the wine has spent in new oak barriques, this is now smooth and buttery with excellent length, and is perfect with fish or white meat.  Not a wine to lay down - it is delicious now!