Wine Blog
It's too bad Pinot Days is an annual tasting. For those who had the distinct pleasure of attending or working the event this year, you understand when we say that such wonderful wine and fare should be showcased more often! Over 3,000 trade members and consumers filed into the Grand Hall at Fort Mason this weekend to enjoy 400 Pinot Noirs from all over the world, sipped alongside morsels of cheese, wine-infused chocolates, local olives in blood-orange citrus marinades and spicy charcuterie.
It is difficult to list just a few highlights since quality was so widespread. As you can imagine, the wines from Louis Latour attracted quite a following and many commented that they were among the best in the room. With the advantage of being a few tables down from some of the ripest cheeses in the tasting, our 2005s were well received with a plate full of aged goudas and Spanish blue goat cheese. The Beaune Vignes Franches 2005 was definitely the highlight. Served out of a decanter, it was dark and pure with blackberries, licorice, black raspberries and minerals. A half hour of air opened it up immensely and allowed the quality of the 2005 vintage to show through in the absence of harsh tannins or gripping acidity.
Despite a few random bottle thieves and a sleepy start due to the Euro Cup final, we feel that this tasting was a grand success. With each passing year, the locals seem to get a better grip on Burgundy. Their questions are more intelligent, their gazes more confident, their tasting experience more complete. One gentleman shared with us that he put on his 'Burgundy hat' before tasting our wines because after sampling several Russian River Pinots, he needed to adjust his expectations in terms of acidity, fruit and alcohol. This mental shift enabled him to appreciate the elegance and subtle refinement of our Pinot Noirs.
We hope that all those who stopped by for a taste of Louis Latour will send us their comments on The Grand Tasting. See you next year at Pinot Days 2009!
Not to be confused with the grapey party drink Beaujolais Nouveau, the wines from the 10 picturesque crus of Beaujolais represent high-quality Gamay, similar in status to Village-level, Pinot Noir-based wines from Burgundy with the distinct advantage of a more modest price tag. Some would argue that these intricate, terroir-driven Gamays are among the best values in France. Though somewhat misunderstood and overlooked by the majority of Burgundy-lovers, the crus are vinified using traditional Burgundian techniques and are more often than not treated to Grand Cru-style care in the cellars. Each cru is a reflection of its particular terroir with transparency as one of the guding principals in the Cuverie. These wines are especially remarkable for their ability to pair well with food, thanks to the pronounced acidity of the Gamay grape, and for the enjoyment they offer after only a few months in the bottle.
Louis Latour has always kept a distant but careful eye on Beaujolais, awaiting an opportunity to invest in what he estimated to be one of the most undervalued wine regions of France. The current economic crisis in Beaujolais and the relatively inexpensive land prices have created much opportunity for interested winery owners from the Côte d'Or. Louis Latour seized the occasion in January of this year, purchasing the winery of Vins Henry Fessy, a 120-year-old domaine that was still family-run, like Maison Louis Latour, and that offered pure and elegant Gamays and Chardonnays from some of Beaujolais' best terroirs. More on Henry Fessy.
The US launch of Henry Fessy's wines is set for July 1st. We are proud to offer you the following Cru Beaujolais, all from the 2007 vintage: Fleurie, Morgon, Brouilly, Moulin à Vent and Régnié.
