Our tasting impressions
A good Chambolle is a such a joy. No one is immune to the charming aromatics of these wines. This village beauty, 7 years from the vintage has lovely, perky nose. It's bright and delicious. Despite some tannins on the finish, this is relatively easy drinking to enjoy now and to help defend some of your other Burgundies that need some time.
About this wine
100% Pinot Noir from vines planted between 1946 and 1964 in clay and limestone soil. The vineyard faces east-southeast and sits at 270m.
Grapes were handpicked on October 9th with yields of 46hl/ha. Fermentation was by native yeast. Aging was in oak barrels (35% new) and bottling was on 3/23/15 without fining or filtration. 3,000 bottles were made.
About the grape
Pinot Noir is an ancient grape from eastern France. Notoriously challenging, it thrives in cooler climates. The concept of terroir is most closely identified with Burgundy because the lightness of Pinot Noir enables it to so transparently express minor differences (which is why experienced tasters can discern the difference in wines produced from vineyards in very close proximity). Intense popularity resulted in plantings all over the world but most agree that its finest expression is in the Côte d’Or of Burgundy.
About the vintage
Simply a classic Burgundy vintage.
Suggested Glassware: Grassl Cru
Roche de Bellene was established in 2008 by Nicolas Potel. It is a diversified and global wine production and trading company. The company includes Domaine de Roche Bellene, which offers wines from estate owned vineyards in 10 different Côte d’Or appellations.
Maison Roche de Bellene is the company’s négociant arm. Potel and his team source grapes from respected and consistent sources throughout the Côte d’Or. All are very old vines from which Roche de Bellene produces white and red wines. Another part of the Maison operation is Collection Bellenum. In the first decade of the 2000’s, Potel began purchasing large quantities of outstanding wines from the personal cellars of 26 domaines, starting with 1959. A wine must be at least 10 years old to be included in this special collection. After extensive tasting to ensure the wines were sound and of high-quality, he offers them with his label. Some of the corks will reveal the seminal source.
Nico is the son of the legendary Volnay producer, Gerard Potel. In addition to learning “at home,” he trained at excellent estates in Australia, California and Burgundy. Potel is widely respected by his peers for his remarkable wine production talents, as well as his keen sense for sourcing grapes and wines.
