It's interesting to me that with all the interest in Santa Barbara/California Pinot Noir the last few years, there has not really been an upsurge in interest in red Burgundy amongst new wine lovers.  For those of you who have limited knowledge of French wine, red Burgundy IS Pinot Noir.  In fact, Burgundy is the motherland of Pinot Noir.  It seems everyone gives the same reasons for not trying red Burgundy:  "the labels are confusing"; "the prices can be ridiculoulsy high"; "the people in the wine shops don't know much about Burgundy and aren't of any help" "I don't know who the good producers are, at least in the affordable price category".  I will certainly agree that all these things are true, but it is also true that red Burgundy can be sensational, and is a whole world different than California/Oregon Pinot.  You owe it to yourself to try some.  In fact, when done right, I think that red Burgundy is quite possibly my favorite wine.  When done wrong, it is entirely forgettable, and an expensive waste of money.

So I am going to give you all a free tip.  Here's a great Burgundy from a well respected producer in a good vintage, and the price is reasonable.  So what are you waiting for?

Henri Gouges produces a zillion different Burgundies from some very good vineyards.  The Clos des Porrets is a premier cru Vineyard.  2002 was one of the better Burg vintages of the last several years.  The wine has a rich garnet color, a robust bouquet of red fruits, crushed plums, and campfire smoke.  The wine is extraordinarily balanced, has a nice mineral/earthy quality, and has a beautiful lingering finish.

Although the wine retailed on release for somewhere between 60 and 75 dollars, it can frequently be found for much less.  I picked up this wine for $38 dollars at an auction in February 2006.

4 stars.

 

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