It is not long ago that Domaine Brigitte Berthelemot was a relative unknown in Burgundy. I discovered the wines about 5 years ago and was very impressed by their quality and very appealing prices. I immediately added them to our portfolio.
Three years ago they scooped the Decanter Wine Awards the with both the equal best Red and White Burgundies! That was a major feat for a domaine that at the time was less than 10 hectares!
In recent years the domaine has expanded, adding serious new vineyards and selling off excess or duplicate parcels. Today, Domaine Berthelemot certainly qualifies as a "Rising Star".
You have probably read just how good the 2015 Red Burgundies are. I tasted quite a few earlier this year and was extremely impressed. The whites are also very high in quality.
You will also have read about the devastating frosts in France in April and how some vineyards will produce zero grapes in 2016. From what I hear no one has gone unscathed and losses will be in the 30-70% range for most producers.
This creates a big issue for the Burgundian domaines. With little or perhaps no wine for the 2016 vintage what should they do with 2015? Especially when the quality is so high. It is inevitable that prices will rise, and in many cases, significantly. I have heard a 30% price increase is being discussed at some domaines.
So it was very nice to receive the 2015 pricing from Domaine Berthelemot over the weekend. They have applied a rather standard annual increase of 3-5%. And just as the wines have always been great value they remain that way in 2015.
Some wines of particular notes are the Beaune 1er Cru Greves rouge, a great vineyard and just $74.50 a bottle Pre Arrival. The Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Abbaye de Morgeots blanc is only $120.50 and the Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru La Garenne blanc is a bargain at $127.50. The domaine has also continued their expansion with a parcel of Pommard 1er Cru Les Arvelets. The vines were ancient and whilst 2015 was the first vintage the domaine has decided it would be more productive long-term to replant. It is a wine worth grabbing at $97.50.
We are to early for tasting notes but many of you will have tasted the wines of Domaine Berthelemot in the past. If anything the quality keeps getting better each year.
To view the wines and order on our website click here. You may also order by email to asaf@grandmillesime.com.au or phone (03) 9326 5737.
Cheers,