by Paige Donner

Corton Grand Cru – Charlotte Dumay

Recently I was privileged to taste some of the great Hospices de Beaune (Burgundy) wines. These were the 2012 vintages, so not only are they “babies,” they are still infants.

Which made them all the more remarkable for how present they already are and how their destinies of future greatness are unmistakable.

For sentimental reasons, it was a very special experience for me to taste this wine. My grandmother, all her adult life, sat by the fire in the evenings and knitted bandages that she would donate for the patients at the Hospice. Her name was Charlotte.

Tasting Notes: Deep brilliant ruby red. Light funghi on the bouquet, mineral, ripe red berry fruit finish. Altogether too drinkable. Open late 2013 and keep for up to 10 years and longer.

Roland Masse (pictured above), the Manager of the Domaine des Hospices de Beaune said this:

When the grapes arrived at the wineries, they were in perfect health. We knew it was going to be a good year as soon as we tasted the musts.

[Excerpted from Christie’s Auction Catalog]: This gift to the Hospices was made in gothic lettering on parchment, in 1534. “For the cure and salvation of her soul,” the childless Charlotte Dumay, wife of the King’s Keeper of the Mint in Dijon, gave 100 ouvrées of vineyard and fallow land in the territory of Aloxe, with a house in stone. Today, this is one of the Hospice’s longest-lived, most sumptuously structured wines.

This was this year’s “La Piece des Presidents” which is the auction item donated entirely to an elected charity. This year it was First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy’s foundation.

Hospice de Beaune Auction Price 2012: €27000 [$343,818] (tonneau – 350 liters)

@♥Chérie Du Vin – YOU WILL LOVE MY WINE PICKS! ♥CHÉRIE DU VIN

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Meursault-Genevrières Premier Cru – Cuvée Philippe le Bon

Tasting Notes: Philippe Le Bon was the Duke of Burgundy (1419-1467). This is one of the most, if not the most, popular Burgundy White in Japan. 2012 vintage has top-notes of white flowers, tint of butter. Delicate citrus and white flowers on the mouth. Drink from late 2013 on or keep 3 – 5 years or more.

Roland Masse, the Manager of the Domaine des Hospices de Beaune said this:

When the grapes arrived at the wineries, they were in perfect health. We knew it was going to be a good year as soon as we tasted the musts.

[Excerpted from Christie’s Auction Catalog]: This Cuvée pays homage to Philippe le Bon, Duke of Burgundy, who gave his backing and authority to Chancellor Nicolas Rolin, during the latter’s establishment of the Hôtel-Dieu [that’s “hospital” in French], from 1443. It is regularly one of the finest whites, and fiercely contested at auction.

Est. Hospice de Beaune Auction Price 2012: €8000 – 12000 (barrel)

@♥CHÉRIE DU VIN – YOU WILL LOVE MY WINE PICKS! ♥CHÉRIE DU VIN

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Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru – Cuvée Dames de Flandres

Cuvée Dames de Flandres, Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru

Tasting Notes: Golden robe with brilliant reflections. Elegant mineral nose. Citrus, green apple. Creamy mouth, terroir, mineral, taking on butter hint. Drink from mid 2013 on; Best to keep 3 – 8 years (or longer even).

Roland Masse, the Manager of the Domaine des Hospices de Beaune said this:

When the grapes arrived at the wineries, they were in perfect health. We knew it was going to be a good year as soon as we tasted the musts.

CUVÉE DAMES DE FLANDRES

[Excerpted from Christie’s Auction Catalogue]: This vineyard was planted in 1974. It was acquired by the Hospices in 1989, and named after the Ladies of Flanders, in commemoration of the origins of the community of Sisters who have cared for the sick of the Hôtel-Dieu, down the centuries. The vines lie in the commune of Chassagne-Montrachet. They regularly produce a great white wine which is striking for its minerality, its length of flavour, its capacity to age and its exceptional complexity.

Est. Barrel Price (at 2012 Auction): €40,000 – 60,000

2012 Sold For: €57,780 ($76,302) – Barrel