2015 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru “Les Chalumaux”Comtesse de Chérisey
France | Burgundy
$120
Producers
For six generations, Massimo Benevelli’s family has farmed the southeastern-facing hillside cru of Ravera in southeastern Barolo. Massimo, now forty-one, has worked among its vines since he was fourteen, and he knows exactly how to translate this distinctive terroir, which produces wines with the structure and concentration that epitomize great Barolo from Monforte. None of the soul has been buffed out, but notes of black cherries, forest floor, and blood orange emerge even more polished than usual. Truly phenomenal.
—Tom Wolf
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2016 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Nebbiolo |
Appellation: | Barolo |
Country: | Italy |
Region: | Piedmont |
Producer: | Benevelli Piero |
Winemaker: | Massimo Benevelli |
Vineyard: | Planted in 1960, 2 ha |
Soil: | Grey and white marl |
Aging: | Aged in second-passage barriques for one year, then in 10-year-old oak botti (40 hL, 20 hL, and 15 hL) for 15 months, aged 8-10 months in bottle before release |
Farming: | Traditional |
Alcohol: | 14.5% |
Piero Benevelli Italy | Piedmont | Langhe
Piero Benevelli Italy | Piedmont | Barbera d’Alba
Giulia Negri Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Il Palazzotto Italy | Piedmont | Dolcetto di Diano d'Alba
A. & G. Fantino Italy | Piedmont | Barbera d’Alba
Giulia Negri Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Kermit’s love affair with the great reds of Piemonte dates back to the early days of his career: the very first container he imported from Italy, in fact, featured legendary 1971 and 1974 Barolos from Vietti and Aldo Conterno. Regular visits since then have seen our portfolio grow to now twelve Piemontesi estates, with a strong focus on the rolling hills of the Langhe.
Nebbiolo rules these majestic, vine-covered marl slopes, giving Italy’s most mystifyingly complex, nuanced, and age-worthy reds. When crafted via traditional production methods—long macerations and extensive aging in enormous oak botti—the powerful, yet incredibly refined Barolos and Barbarescos provide haunting aromatics of tar, raspberry, incense, tea, roses, and more. At times austere in their youth but well worth the wait, they pair beautifully with the hearty local cuisine starring veal in many forms, braised beef, pastas like tajarin and agnolotti, and of course, Alba’s famous white truffles.
Surrounded by mountains on three sides, Piemonte’s climate is continental, with baking hot summers and cold winters. Nebbiolo is only part of the story here: juicy, fruity Barberas and Dolcettos represent the bread and butter throughout the region, and other native grapes like Freisa, Croatina, and the white Arneis are also noteworthy. Value abounds in the Monferrato, while Alto Piemonte also has its share of thrills to provide.
Every corner of Piemonte is rich with tradition, especially when wine is concerned. It’s no wonder we have been singing the region’s praises for over forty years.
Bèrto Italy | Piedmont
Giulia Negri Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
A. & G. Fantino Italy | Piedmont | Barbera d’Alba
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont | Dolcetto d’Alba
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont | Barbera d’Alba
A. & G. Fantino Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Giulia Negri Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Il Palazzotto Italy | Piedmont | Dolcetto di Diano d’Alba
Cantine Elvio Tintero Italy | Piedmont | Moscato d'Asti
Silvio Giamello Italy | Piedmont | Barbaresco
When buying red Burgundy, I think we should remember:
1. Big wines do not age better than light wine.
2. A so-called great vintage at the outset does not guarantee a great vintage for the duration.
3. A so-called off vintage at the outset does not mean the wines do not have a brilliant future ahead of them.
4. Red Burgundy should not taste like Guigal Côte-Rôtie, even if most wine writers wish it would.
5. Don’t follow leaders; watch yer parking meters.
Inspiring Thirst, page 174
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