2014 Domaine Denis Carre, Bourgogne Rouge Hautes Cotes de Beaune “La Perriere” France.
These 2014 Burgundies are really turning out to be lovely and textured wines and in some cases like these new offerings by Denis Carre they are awesome values! Imported by Charles Neal Selections, the Domaine Denis Carre wines are pretty new to the market, but while his 2013 were pleasant and enjoyable, the 2014 wines are way up on the next level and they will become favorites for those searching out old school and old world values, these Cotes de Beaune Pinots offer a great array of vibrant red fruit, bramble/spice and chalky mineral intensity with the Pommard and Savigny-Les-Beaune being the ones to take that much more seriously, while this wonderful basic La Perriere Bourgogne Rouge Hauta Cotes de Beaune is more of the right now quaffer with pure Burgundy character, feel and pleasure. Carre is based in Meloise, this is directly west of Pommard and Volnay, north of Saint-Romain and sits on classic clay and limestone, he makes his wines in a clean and clear style, practicing mostly organic and hand vineyard work, he employs native yeast ferments and cold soaks in the cellar, aging the reds in mostly used barrique and tank. The 2014 Hautes-Cotes-de-Beaune Rouge is lively and playful with a mix of cherry, rose petal, wild herb and dusty stones leading the way in this light to medium weight Pinot, at first you admire the grace and subtle flavors, but the richness builds on the palate revealing a stylish confident and persistent wine with layers of black cherry, plum and strawberry fruit, mineral spice, loamy notes, a hint of cedar, game/earthy elements, briar tanginess and a trace of tea, anise and cinnamon/nutmeg. This noise ruby hued Burgundy is very attractive from start to finish, easy to and eager to please, it can be drunk young and has enough substance and vitality to go on a few years in the cellar as well, it is especially brilliant for the price, best from 2017 to 2022.
($22 Est.) 91 Points, grapelive
