EP 282 Pinot Noir from France aka Burgundy

Gary tastes the entry level Pinot Noir’s from Burgundy.

Wines tasted in this episode:

2005 Marechal Bourgogne Rouge Cuvee GravelBourgogne Rouge
2005 Danjean Berthoux Bourgogne RougeBourgogne Rouge
2004 Arnoux Bourgogne Pinot FinBourgogne Rouge
2005 Patrice Rion Bourgogne RougeBourgogne Rouge

Links mentioned in todays episode.

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Alex Thomas

I’m one of those cool guys who wouldn’t have bought it at 89 but will now buy it at 90. Come to VIRGINIA TECH

Tags: Bourgogne, France, Pinot Noir, red wines, review, Video, wine

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  • Ferrigno

    Hello Gary, good episode on the generic burgs, this reminds me, I never sent you the picture of my birthday present, expect it soooooooon! 😉

  • Ferrigno

    Hello Gary, good episode on the generic burgs, this reminds me, I never sent you the picture of my birthday present, expect it soooooooon! 😉

  • vibemore

    QOTD: I don’t have a clear memory on this one. Probably less than 5 and it has for sure been a while.

  • vibemore

    QOTD: I don’t have a clear memory on this one. Probably less than 5 and it has for sure been a while.

  • Jayhitek

    QOTD: I don’t think I have had any..? Probably 100% from Cali, Wash, Oreg etc..

  • Jayhitek

    QOTD: I don’t think I have had any..? Probably 100% from Cali, Wash, Oreg etc..

  • Martin

    No Pinot Noir from Burgundy, only Beaujalais 🙁

  • Martin

    No Pinot Noir from Burgundy, only Beaujalais 🙁

  • Barry

    QOTD: Must admit I have had no Pinot from France, or at least not that I know of, as I cannot decipher most French labels.

  • Barry

    QOTD: Must admit I have had no Pinot from France, or at least not that I know of, as I cannot decipher most French labels.

  • surf.sf

    Loved the episode I’ll have to find some of that Arnoux and Patrice Rion! Went to Pinot Days in SF a couple weeks ago and Santa Barbara a couple weeks earlier. Everything was bright strawberries or a darker blackberry jam (call this zinfandel flavored pinot?) and no poop or barnyard. QOTD: I’ve had about five or so Burgundies, can’t wait to have some more!

  • surf.sf

    Loved the episode I’ll have to find some of that Arnoux and Patrice Rion! Went to Pinot Days in SF a couple weeks ago and Santa Barbara a couple weeks earlier. Everything was bright strawberries or a darker blackberry jam (call this zinfandel flavored pinot?) and no poop or barnyard. QOTD: I’ve had about five or so Burgundies, can’t wait to have some more!

  • phig

    my cellar consists of almost 70% Burgundy of which more than half is red. I’ve had hundreds and hundreds of them over the years.
    The above comments suggest that what is by far the most exciting (and yes, the most frustrating) wine region in the world will continue to not get so much pressure that I can no longer feed my addiction.
    Making the leap will mean radically altering your way of thinking about wine. They MUST BE DRUNK WITH FOOD. They are more acidic, more elegant, more minerally, less oaky and vastly more interesting than anything coming from anywhere else in the world. While it is true that there are a lot of stinkers, you have to find the producers you like and follow them. You also can’t expect the wine to be the same from year to year. That is part of the thrill! A year like 2004 (in reds) will be high strung and a little wild (Arnoux being an exception in this case) and 2005 richer and broader. Still, if you make the leap, and give it some time, you will begin to see why at this point, having been through several stages (never US wines though, hate the new oak) I have landed in Burgundy and not left for close to ten years now. Remember that there are even good wines in the 12-15 range. Try some of the Bouchard wines (for a fantastic negociant), particularly the 2005 Bourgogne rouge or again Jadot (though their low end can be touch and go). Potel’s strait Burg is also good (in 2004 and 2005).
    Great show. I’m excited to try the Arnoux and thanks to the previous comment on the location of the vineyards. Makes sense, especially with the description given by Gary.
    Thanks for a great episode. I’ve been losing interest a bit but this was well worth it.

  • phig

    my cellar consists of almost 70% Burgundy of which more than half is red. I’ve had hundreds and hundreds of them over the years.
    The above comments suggest that what is by far the most exciting (and yes, the most frustrating) wine region in the world will continue to not get so much pressure that I can no longer feed my addiction.
    Making the leap will mean radically altering your way of thinking about wine. They MUST BE DRUNK WITH FOOD. They are more acidic, more elegant, more minerally, less oaky and vastly more interesting than anything coming from anywhere else in the world. While it is true that there are a lot of stinkers, you have to find the producers you like and follow them. You also can’t expect the wine to be the same from year to year. That is part of the thrill! A year like 2004 (in reds) will be high strung and a little wild (Arnoux being an exception in this case) and 2005 richer and broader. Still, if you make the leap, and give it some time, you will begin to see why at this point, having been through several stages (never US wines though, hate the new oak) I have landed in Burgundy and not left for close to ten years now. Remember that there are even good wines in the 12-15 range. Try some of the Bouchard wines (for a fantastic negociant), particularly the 2005 Bourgogne rouge or again Jadot (though their low end can be touch and go). Potel’s strait Burg is also good (in 2004 and 2005).
    Great show. I’m excited to try the Arnoux and thanks to the previous comment on the location of the vineyards. Makes sense, especially with the description given by Gary.
    Thanks for a great episode. I’ve been losing interest a bit but this was well worth it.

  • Anonymous

    QOTD: Although I’ve been buying much more wine from France (Loire Sauv. Blanc, Cote du Rhone, Macon Villages, CAHORS, Bordeaux Blanc and Rouge, etc.) I’ve only bought ONE Red Burgundy. It was $15 (which is above my usual $9-$12 range), yet I got what I paid for: the wine was not a Burgundy value, but rather an underwhelming entry-point wine from this region. I may try another one soon, but might have to fork over $20 bones to experience some solid wine from this classic region.

  • YoungDave

    QOTD: Although I’ve been buying much more wine from France (Loire Sauv. Blanc, Cote du Rhone, Macon Villages, CAHORS, Bordeaux Blanc and Rouge, etc.) I’ve only bought ONE Red Burgundy. It was $15 (which is above my usual $9-$12 range), yet I got what I paid for: the wine was not a Burgundy value, but rather an underwhelming entry-point wine from this region. I may try another one soon, but might have to fork over $20 bones to experience some solid wine from this classic region.

  • mcj

    QOTD: Probably 7-10

  • mcj

    QOTD: Probably 7-10

  • JayZee

    Nice show once again, Gary. QOTD: I have been drinking “cheap” Burgundies from France for a number of years so I am guessing I have had 50-60 different Burgundies from France, but very few of the Cru Burgundies (10-12). The Crus are just too darn expensive, IMHO.

  • JayZee

    Nice show once again, Gary. QOTD: I have been drinking “cheap” Burgundies from France for a number of years so I am guessing I have had 50-60 different Burgundies from France, but very few of the Cru Burgundies (10-12). The Crus are just too darn expensive, IMHO.

  • Dee

    QOD: 15 or so. Initially b/c i thought that, after Sideways, my PN education would have been incomplete without understanding the ‘holy grail.’ now, b/c i’m a true, perhaps old world, fan of their nuance and complexity.

  • Dee

    QOD: 15 or so. Initially b/c i thought that, after Sideways, my PN education would have been incomplete without understanding the ‘holy grail.’ now, b/c i’m a true, perhaps old world, fan of their nuance and complexity.

  • wayno da wino

    YOOOO GARY!!!

    Dat was an appetizing segment!! “Stick da nose in da
    horse’s ass”,”biting a shoe wit muddy poop”. Gimme
    somma dat Nooooooooooowwwww!!!! 🙂

    QOTD: Tried quite a few burgundys in da 80’s, but now
    like da California Pinots much more!!

  • wayno da wino

    YOOOO GARY!!!

    Dat was an appetizing segment!! “Stick da nose in da
    horse’s ass”,”biting a shoe wit muddy poop”. Gimme
    somma dat Nooooooooooowwwww!!!! 🙂

    QOTD: Tried quite a few burgundys in da 80’s, but now
    like da California Pinots much more!!

  • quaker prison

    I agree with Phig, Burgundies are food wines while a lot of Cali pinots are bombastic stand alone stuff. I have about 120 Burgundies in the cellar now and always looking for more! The best wine I have ever had (not labeled “Yquem”) was a 1976 Chambertin. Phenomenal.

    QOTD: Hard to say, has to be in the several hundred range. Can’t wait to double that number!

  • quaker prison

    I agree with Phig, Burgundies are food wines while a lot of Cali pinots are bombastic stand alone stuff. I have about 120 Burgundies in the cellar now and always looking for more! The best wine I have ever had (not labeled “Yquem”) was a 1976 Chambertin. Phenomenal.

    QOTD: Hard to say, has to be in the several hundred range. Can’t wait to double that number!

  • I love the educational episodes!

  • I love the educational episodes!

  • Withnail

    QOTD: 100+

  • Withnail

    QOTD: 100+

  • Matt Sievert

    QOTD: A few, but way before I started to “enjoy” wine.

  • Matt Sievert

    QOTD: A few, but way before I started to “enjoy” wine.

  • Skol

    good episode. Just in time to start stocking up on less expensive burgundies from 05.

    I have tried about 350 different burgundies red and white.

  • Skol

    good episode. Just in time to start stocking up on less expensive burgundies from 05.

    I have tried about 350 different burgundies red and white.

  • Alos Diallo

    Not sure if I have answered this already but at current count right now I am guessing 30. I live off of French wine! I was watching this episode because I am bidding on a bottle of
    1998 Domaine De La Romanee-Conti Echezeaux and wanted to get myself in the mood :-). Great episode I would love to see a hight end French pinot episode.

  • Alos Diallo

    Not sure if I have answered this already but at current count right now I am guessing 30. I live off of French wine! I was watching this episode because I am bidding on a bottle of
    1998 Domaine De La Romanee-Conti Echezeaux and wanted to get myself in the mood :-). Great episode I would love to see a hight end French pinot episode.

  • Aaron

    About 25, but at age 20, that can’t be so bad…

  • Aaron

    About 25, but at age 20, that can’t be so bad…

  • The Fanjestic

    Great Episode! I will be searching out the “Kosta/Sea Smoke” style because that’s more my palate. However I have only had a few Burgundy wines – but I have purchsed several and I am looking forward to expanding my palate.

    Did David B. come to the Galaxy before or after this episode I wonder? Did GV make a bad prediction or a joke…..

  • The Fanjestic

    Great Episode! I will be searching out the “Kosta/Sea Smoke” style because that’s more my palate. However I have only had a few Burgundy wines – but I have purchsed several and I am looking forward to expanding my palate.

    Did David B. come to the Galaxy before or after this episode I wonder? Did GV make a bad prediction or a joke…..

  • NICE one!

    QOTD: First one today! 05 louis latour baune villages. Nice, very perfumed, lots of stuff to like about it. I’d like to drink more if they weren’t so bloody expensive!

  • NICE one!

    QOTD: First one today! 05 louis latour baune villages. Nice, very perfumed, lots of stuff to like about it. I’d like to drink more if they weren’t so bloody expensive!

  • Dessert Wine Nerd

    QOTD: *sigh* Havent had one of those, either. Yes, I know. It is somewhat sad, but give a rookie a break!

  • Dessert Wine Nerd

    QOTD: *sigh* Havent had one of those, either. Yes, I know. It is somewhat sad, but give a rookie a break!

  • Oakmon’s BF

    Iâ??m really enjoying rewatching this episode as I sip some nice Bourgogne. It was more than a quarter century ago when my dad introduced me to red wine with a jug of â??Gallo Hearty Burgundyâ?. I donâ??t think it was pure pinot noir and I know it wasnâ??t from Burgundy. Influenced by news of the â??Judgment of Parisâ? it was my turn to educate Dad as well as myself my bringing home vintage Cali including some pinot noir. I only started keeping track this year but as far as I know this is my first real Bourgogne. Itâ??s 2005 Louis Chavy Bourgogne Pinot Noir. Itâ??s a little light but nice. It’s be a nice occasional alternative to the dark tannic stuff I love.

  • Oakmon’s BF

    Iâ??m really enjoying rewatching this episode as I sip some nice Bourgogne. It was more than a quarter century ago when my dad introduced me to red wine with a jug of â??Gallo Hearty Burgundyâ?. I donâ??t think it was pure pinot noir and I know it wasnâ??t from Burgundy. Influenced by news of the â??Judgment of Parisâ? it was my turn to educate Dad as well as myself my bringing home vintage Cali including some pinot noir. I only started keeping track this year but as far as I know this is my first real Bourgogne. Itâ??s 2005 Louis Chavy Bourgogne Pinot Noir. Itâ??s a little light but nice. It’s be a nice occasional alternative to the dark tannic stuff I love.

  • Adrian aka AnGkEr

    QOTD: not yet….:(

  • Adrian aka AnGkEr

    QOTD: not yet….:(

  • Anonymous

    Good episode on one of my favorite wine styles. Always looking for real pinot on a budget.

    QOTD: I have no idea. Just a few. 10 maybe? I need to add another decimal to that. Too bad real Burgundy is so danged expensive. I really like the style. California pinot used to be cheaper but friggin’ Sideways made those pricey, too. California still is cheaper than France for what you get, though, so I tend to go mostly with Cali even now. Maybe I’ll start changing that.

  • phredd

    Good episode on one of my favorite wine styles. Always looking for real pinot on a budget.

    QOTD: I have no idea. Just a few. 10 maybe? I need to add another decimal to that. Too bad real Burgundy is so danged expensive. I really like the style. California pinot used to be cheaper but friggin’ Sideways made those pricey, too. California still is cheaper than France for what you get, though, so I tend to go mostly with Cali even now. Maybe I’ll start changing that.

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