2008 Langoureau Saint-Aubin Blanc 19.99

The hamlet of St. Aubin sits above the vineyards of Puligny-Montrachet, the homeland of chardonnay. 75 years ago St. Aubin was sold as Puligny-Montrachet. With AOC laws this no longer happens but the wines of St. Aubin can represent remarkable value as is the case with Langoreau St. Aubin; half the price of Puligny-Montrachet. The precision of the 08 vintage makes this a most impressive find.

91 Points, Bob Sprentall
Staff Selection, September 2010

2008 Langoureau Saint Aubin Blanc $19.99

Somewhat by accident I held an in-home judgment of Paris. On succeeding nights I opened two chardonnays, one Burgundian and the other Californian, both under $20. For some of us that’s not a school-night price; but for chardonnay of great quality, not $7 plonck , and yet both these over deliver in bang per buck.

The Burgundy and was 2008 St. Aubin Blanc (91 RAS, $19.99), a lovely find of ours smack next to the best chunks of Montrachet, Puligny and Chassagne. Here Sylvain Langoureau

 makes a terrific chard  bright gold, crisp and minerally with apples and a touch of honey. Burgundy that’s friendly to a sophisticated palate and wallet.

From Monterey in a cooler corner of sunny California, I tried the 2005 Bernardus (95WN, $17.99) with success, long rich and lush with peaches, honey and figs with limey acidity on the edge. Not the flabby sun worshipper, Californians are supposed to be. 

Both were polished, crisp, and quite happy with shrimp in olive oil. A win-win for both sides in this round.

2008 Louis Latour Macon-Lugny 9.99

Latour makes Burgundy affordable. His best is this lush chardonnay from the Macon. Fill your glass with apples, honey, and a whiff of lemon & French style. Perfect for creamy scallops.  Here’s what Bob Sprentall, B-21′s Proprietor and Burgundy Buyer says about the 08 Macon Lugny:

“Maison Louis Latour rigorously selects grapes from the well-exposed commune of Lugny which was the only village planted with Chardonnay 30 years ago due to a perfect terroir. Lugny is one of the top vineyards in southern Burgundy’s Mâconnais region, Mâcon-Lugny ” Les Genièvres ” is an outstanding wine. Very round and supple.  This has beautiful structure and is perfect to drink now. The 2008 is the best Latour we have tasted in 20 years and that is really saying something about this perennial value.” 90 Points, Bob Sprentall

2008 Roland Rapet Bourgogne 'En Bully' Rouge PREORDER: $16.99 (July 1st arrival)

“My pick for best value Pinot Noir from Burgundy in 2008. Rhett and I visited Domaine Rapet in January and we were both so pleased with the 2008 reds particularly from Pernand-Vergelles, Aloxe Corton and Corton. We started importing the en Bully with the 2005 vintage and what a run. Red fruits with silky textures and little oak influences. Very pure. Vincent Rapet’s father showed up with the mail while we were visiting. Vineyard work has taken it toll… It has been twenty years since I first visited Roland Rapet. You too will go back for more.”

90 Points, Bob Sprentall
Staff Selection, June 2010

2007 Olivier Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc Les Sétilles - $17.99 or $16.19 by the case!

“Exceptional chardonnay without the drag of oak. A blend of wine from two villages in Burgundy, France which typically sell for 2 and three times this price. With the nerve typical of the wines from the village of Puligny-Montrachet blended with the fatter fleshier wine from the village of Meursault. Stunning Chardonnay value.”

90 Points, Bob Sprentall
February 2010

1989 Penfold’s Grange Hermitage:   True figgy pudding and the champ of the night, plummy, berry fruits and lots of spice at 20, easy and smooth drinking.  Long finish.

1985 Echezeaux:  This took time, perhaps a full hour in a decanter,   and revealed itself to s joy in prefect condition, cherries wrapped in dark cocoa and coffee. Earthy and strong enough to last another ten.

1998 Moccagatta Barbaresco Bric Balin ($37.99)

1972 Barbaresco:  Producer unknown, but it had a B-21 price tag of $19.99.  Near its limit, but a remarkable show for a theoretically light Nebbiolo, still clean, distinct berry brightness surrounded by cedar, tobacco and earth tones.

 I report on these oldies in case you’re looking at some in your closet and wondering “Should I…”

The answer is YES.  Make it a New Year’s resolution.  Open those old bottles and make room to re-stock.  B-21 has Barbarescos from 1998 at $37.99 and Echezeaux from the great 2006 for $99.99.  It’s much more fun than cleaning out the garage.

- Chris Sherman, The Nibbler

Joseph Drouhin Latricieres-Chambertin 1990:
This bottle was not correct, the unfortunate reality of older bottles sometimes.  I came back to it as notes in my Blackberry reminded me I had tasted within the last year – stunning wine.  All the animal one expects in a Grand Cru Gevrey just not this time. Bobby stashed away a lot of 85’s and 90’s years ago and the prices have not really moved much… I have had some great Drouhin wines here over the last 10 years.  Wine well stored.

Bouchard Beaune L’Enfant Jesus 1993:
Superb.  I was a fan of many 1993’s on release and this is why.  This is what a great Beaune should be and at 89 bucks on the wine list; a steal!

Haut Batailley (Pauillac) 1996:
Good earthy/mushroom overtones initially, and with time really dominated the wines profile.  Not clear that this was Pauillac to me, but for the price I could not pass, but will for next visit.