2012 Domaine Harmand-Geoffroy, Gevrey-Chambertin, Vieilles Vignes, Red Burgundy, France.
The 2012 Harmand-Geoffroy VV Gevrey Chambertin is an absolutely beautiful Burgundy with wonderful perfume, texture, vibrancy and length, it is a stunning example of purity and elegance. The 2012 was 100% de-stemed with a cold maceration and a two week cuvaison, capturing every detail the vintage had to offer and aged 16 months in 30% new French barriques, the grapes themselves came from three old vine plots, just below the Premier Cru Les Champeaux and all are sites that are between 50 and 80 years old, making for a serious village wine. One of the best 2012 Gevrey’s I’ve tried no question, the Harmand-Geoffroy shows a gorgeous floral array on the nose with wilted rose petal, violets and spring flowers that seductively entice and lead to a poised and vital palate of black currant, plum and dark cherry with hints of black raspberry, a touch of basil/mint, subtle stones and earth, cinnamon, tea spice with supple textures and mineral tones along with light cedar and smoky vanilla. While full and expressive it never loses it’s focus and class, I tasted it along side their Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru 2009, which was bigger and a touch lengthier, but was not any more lovely or pleasing, I had to sneak in another taste of this fine Gevrey. A big thanks to importer Rosenthal Wine Merchant and their San Francisco crew for putting on a great portfolio tasting, certainly one of the most impressive of the season! My first experience with Harmand-Geoffroy started with a few of their 2005’s and they’ve impressed me every vintage since, but this 2012 Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes is one of the best to date with such personality, depth and beauty, be sure to look for it and drink it, while it will live a long and happy life, best from 2018-2028, it is very intriguing even right now! This is a wine that reminded me why Burgundy is so magical, it hits all the right notes and gracefully seduces the senses!
($79 Est.) 94+ Points, grapelive