The Event: The annual Taste and Buy Preview of the latest (2016) vintage from Burgundy, hosted by Luc Bouchard and Woodman Wines.

The Date and Time: Thursday June 14, 2018  11AM to 3PM

The Event: The annual Taste and Buy Preview of the latest (2016) vintage from Burgundy, hosted by Luc Bouchard and Woodman Wines.

The Venue: Canoe

The Target Audience: buyers and media

The Availability/Catalogue: some wines were available at LCBO for popular wines; 2016 upper echelon wines are available via Woodman in six packs. 41 other wines were also available for ordering, but there were no tasting samples of these.

The Quote/Background: it was a smaller assortment of labels than in previous years because 2016 was one of the smallest harvests in 25 years. While weather played havoc during most of the year, there was a wonderful ripening period for the small crop. There were about 25 Grand Cru, Premier Cru and Village wines from Bouchard Pere & Fils, William Fevre Chablis, Villa Ponciago in Fleurie, and Champagne Henriot.

The Wines:  I did not taste all the wines. Indeed, I tasted very few wines since I had a deep freeze dental appointment at 10AM and could not taste. I brought along my Burgundy expert, Brian Dawson, a retired financier with deep pockets and an even deeper cellar. He assisted me in tasting and ratings. I spent the early part of the session assembling my notes and writing strategies. Prices are RETAIL.

 

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Champagne Henriot Brut Souverain NV $75 Consignment

-Champagne Henriot Brut Blanc de Blancs NV $105 PO

-Champagne Henriot Brut Rose NV $95 Classics +384099

-Champagne Henriot Brut Vintage 2008 $133 PO

-Champagne Henriot Brut Hemers 2005 $325 PO   

-Bouchard Pere & Fils Saint-Aubin 1er Cru 2015 $50 +545152 Vintages

-Bouchard Pere & Fils Aloxe Corton 2015 $60 +972240 Vintages

-Bouchard Pere & Fils Gevrey-Chambertin 2015 $60 +661330 July Classics

-Bouchard Pere & Fils Pommard 1er Cru 2015 $80 +129602 August Classics

-Bouchard Pere & Fils Le Corton Grand Cru Domaine 2016 $190 PO

-Bouchard Pere & Fils Nuits St Georges les Cailles Domaine 1er Cru 2016 $160 PO

-Bouchard Pere & Fils Pommard 1er Cru 2016 $99 PO

-Bouchard Pere & Fils Gevrey Chambertin 2016 $74 PO

-Bouchard Pere & Fils Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru Domaine 2016 $272 PO

-Bouchard Pere & Fils Meursault Genevrieres Grand Cru Domaine 2016 $135 PO

-Bouchard Pere & Fils Montagny 1er Cru 2016 $40 PO  **VALUE

-Bouchard Pere & Fils Beaune du Chateau 1er Cru Domaine 2016 $64 PO  -- another good value

-William Fevre Chablis Fourchaume 1er Cru 2016 $67 PO

 

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-William Fevre Chablis Champs Royaux 2016 $26 +461640 Vintages   **BEST VALUE

-William Fevre Chablis Bougros Grand Cru Domaine 2016 $105 PO

-Bouchard Pere & Fils Beaune Clos de la Mousse 1er cru Monopole 2016 $83 PO

-Bouchard Pere & Fils Beaune Greves Vigne Enfant Jesus 1er cru Monopole 2016 $163 PO

-Bouchard Pere & Fils Monthelie les Duresses 1er Cru Domaine 2016 $59 PO

-Bouchard Pere & Fils Volnay Caillerets Ancienne Cuvee Carnot 1er Cru Domaine 2016 $121 PO

-Bouchard Pere & Fils Nuits-Saint-Georges 2016 $71 PO

-Bouchard Pere & Fils Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Crus Domaine 2016 $505 PO

-Bouchard Pere & Fils Meursault Perrieres 1er Cru Domaine 2016 $147 PO (more mineral, less floral)

-Bouchard Pere & Fils Meursault les Clous Domaine Village 2016 $78 PO

 

The Food: oysters, charcuterie, cheeses, breads.

The Downside: I could not taste until near the end.

The Upside: I enjoyed the wine banter with Brian.

The Event: The annual Taste and Buy Preview of the latest (2016) vintage from Burgundy, hosted by Luc Bouchard and Woodman Wines.

The Contact Person: jason@woodmanwinesandspirits.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 92.

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com