Domaine Rossignol-Trapet 2014 Bourgogne - 88pts

Domaine Rossignol-Trapet 2014 Bourgogne (Bourgogne AOC) Burgundy - France

Availability: Private wine shops
Cost: $35 est
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: January 14th, 2019

Tasting Notes: Opens with muted nose of both fruit and savoury notes (black cherry, mineral-y earth notes, spices and vanilla) followed by a bright, refreshing palate, layered with a slightly effervescent, medium bodied texture. Blended from multiple vineyards and sites in Burgundy and thus labeled with the more generic and entry-level designation of Burgundy AOC. Ready to go now with a long-ish palate. - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Pierre Lamolte 2014 Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes De Beaune - 85pts

Pierre Lamolte 2014 Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes De Beaune (Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes De Beaune AOC) Burgundy - France

Availability: Private wine shops
Cost: $25 est
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: January 13th, 2019

Tasting Notes: An effervescent, youthful Pinot Noir, despite its 5 years of age, with a rustic, earth'n'herbs nose and palate. A touch of tangy raspberry flavour and acidity lingers on the moderate, spice laden finish. Ready to go now. Drink 2019-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Bouchard Pere et Fils 2014 Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes De Beaune - 87pts

Bouchard Pere et Fils 2014 Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes De Beaune "Cuvee Les Versants" (Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes De Beaune AOC) Burgundy - France

Availability: Private wine shops
Cost: $25 est
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: January 12th, 2019

Tasting Notes: An entry-level Pinot Noir from a lesser Burgundy AOC with a fruit-to-savoury balance skewed firmly towards earthy-meaty thanks to layers of forrest floor, spice, minerals and herbs and just a touch of brambly red fruit on the nose and palate. Ready to go now. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Maison Joseph Drouhin 2012 LaForêt Pinot Noir - 88pts

Maison Joseph Drouhin 2012 LaForêt Pinot Noir (Burgundy) France

Availability: Private wine shops
Cost: $25
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: May 17th, 2015

Tasting Notes: You're intrigued by the reputation of Burgundy Pinot Noir but the price tag of Grand Cru and Premier Cru wines scares you off. Your best bet is to look to cheaper, blended Pinots (wines made from grapes sourced from multiple, non-classified vineyards) from well-established houses like this one from Joseph Drouhin or Louis Latour. The LaForêt offers good typicity for the grape and region with an easy to swallow, under $30 price tag.

The nose is pure Burgundy with an emphasis on the non-fruit, terroir-driven, earthy/forest floor notes that the region is known for. The palate is uber-dry, yet, offers some welcomed red fruit and oak spice. The finish is a bit short for the pedigree with a watery texture lingering amongst light spices and residual tannis. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Maison Louis Latour 2011 Bourgogne Gamay - 88pts

Maison Louis Latour 2011 Bourgogne Gamay (Burgundy AOC) - France

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $24.99
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: January 28th, 2015

Tasting Notes: This Gamay, sourced from multiple vineyard sites in Burgundy, is fruit-driven on the nose with lovely, raspberry and spicy plum aromas supported by light notes of cola, vanilla and a hint of menthol. The palate is refreshing with acidity that slowly builds, rather than smashing your mouth at first sip. There is equal parts juicy red fruit and bright, tangy berries. A touch more tannin on the finish than its Beaujolais-Village cousins to the South. Enjoy with stews and leaner meats. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Maison Louis Latour 2012 Bourgogne Chardonnay - 89pts

Maison Louis Latour 2012 Bourgogne Chardonnay (Burgundy AOC) - France

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $24.99
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: December 13th, 2014

Tasting Notes: This expressive and palate-pleasing wine is a blend of Chardonnay sourced from multiple vineyard sites throughout the Burgundy AOC, all with vines 30 years of age or older. Beyond malolactic fermentation (a naturally occurring secondary fermentation that softens the acid content of the wine) this Chardonnay is a very pure representation of the grape thanks to the minimalist approach employed by Maison Louis Latour (fermented and aged in stainless steel - no oak contact). The result is an honest, crisp, fruit'n'floral Chardonnay with a light kick of spice and river stones on the moderate-plus, mouth-watering finish. 

Lean enough to pair with seafood and round enough to match with creamy pasta - exceptionally food friendly. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Louis Latour 2007 Ardeche Chardonnay - 86pts

Louis Latour 2007 Ardeche Chardonnay (Vin de Pays des Coteaux de L'Ardeche) Burgundy - France

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $12-14
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: May 8th, 2010

Tasting Notes: To find a bargain in Burgundy you have to look beyond Chablis, the Côte d'Or and even Mâcon to find truly great value for money. Vin de Pays Chardonnay can be hit and miss, but this little gem from Louis Latour is well worth the $12-14 you'll pay for it.

Fairly straight forward with ripe pear, lemon peel, orange zest and light mineral aromas on the medium intense nose. Followed by a well-balanced, medium-bodied, dry palate of orchard fruit and light oak flavours. Food-friendly with good acidity and a moderate finish. Not too complex, but easy drinking and very well priced. Drink 2010-2011.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010 IconWines.ca

Daniel Dampt and Fils 2007 1er Cru Côte de Léchet - 90+pts

Daniel Dampt and Fils 2007 1er Cru Côte de Léchet (Chablis) Burgundy - France

Availability: Select private wine shops
Cost: $30-40
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: October 17th, 2010

Tasting Notes: An ultra-crisp Chardonnay form producer Daniel Dampt and Fils with classic Chablis aromas and flavours of biting lemon rind, tart green apples, sweet kiwi and strong mineral notes from river rocks and steel. There is also a nice touch of nuttiness and a kiss of oak which add nuance to the prominent acid characters.

Premier Cru Chablis offers great value for money and variation of styles as the producers tend to experiment more with the vinification compared to the Grand Cru selections. The Côte de Léchet 1er Cru  is still a bit tight and would benefit from another year in the bottle. Expect more fruity characters down the road. Drink 2011-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010

Nicolas Potel 2006 Cuvée Gerard Potel - 90pts

Nicolas Potel 2006 Cuvée Gerard Potel (Pommard) Burgundy - France

Availability: Limited. Private wine shops

Cost: $27-30

Alcohol: 13%

Date Tasted: February 6th, 2010

Tasting Notes: This wine offers the consumer a peak at the world of the high-end Burgundy Pinot Noir wines that express the French concept of "Terroir" but for a fraction of the price. Smelling and sipping this wine lets you imagine the very vineyard from which it came, with its earthy aromas and oaky flavours.

The vineyard in question is the "Maison Dieu" site in Pommard which is close to the Premier Cru vineyard of "Clos des Épeneaux" and offers medium-plus intense aromas of barnyard, raspberry, blackberry, forest floor and tobacco. The palate changes in the glass over time unveiling flavours of plum, green pepper, oak and wet stone with just a hint of pepper spice. Medium tannins and acid with a balanced, medium finish.

This wine is tasting young today and needs more time in the bottle. I recommend laying it down for another 2 years before opening. However, if you can't wait, as I couldn't, you'll need to decant for 2+ hours to allow the wine to properly breath.
- Liam Carrier