Chérie Du Vin: Le Domaine Famille Picard

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Le Domaine Famille Picard - Burgundy

After enjoying a successful career in marketing with Nike, Francine Picard rejoined her family's Burgundy wine estate the same year that her brother did, too - at the end of the 1990s. Since 2010 they have cultivated a large part of their vineyards biodynamically and the rest with a keen eye to environmental consciousness. The goal being to cultivate vines that yield grapes that make wines that are of the highest quality, exhibiting magnificent precision all the while enjoying a harmonious relationship with nature.

The following wines are a privilege to enjoy. Most can be found in Paris and also at the family estate in Chassagne-Montrachet.

Domaine Famille Picard, 5 chemin du Château, 21190 Chassagne-Montrachet, France domainefamillepicard.com

NOTE:

For a real treat, reserve yourself a table for lunch or dinner at this new Paris restaurant where some of the more exclusive of these bottles are served in perfect accompaniment to the chef's flavor pairings: La Table du Caviste Bio, 55 rue de Prony, Paris 75017 latable@lacaviste.bio

Le Domaine Famille Picard

A total of 6 domaines in Bourgogne. 136 Ha. 60% red/ 40% white
110 ha in the Côte Chalonnaise
26 ha in Côte de Beaune
41 ha of communales appelations
33 ha of Premiers Crus
.33 ha of Grand Cru

Corton Grand Cru, Clos des Fietres, Millésime 2014 (rouge) Estate price: €130

These vines are cultivated biodynamically and are situated in the center of the celebrated village, Aloxe-Corton. Nose is wild forest strawberries, raspberries and red fruits with hint of coffee. Mouth is subtle possessing great suaveness and beautiful finesse. Then smoked ham, toasted bread, earthy and slightly saline.

Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru, La Garenne, Millésime 2014 (blanc) Estate price €66

These vines grow right in the village of Puligny-Montrachet at an altitude of about 250M. They have south-southwest exposure. These are 70 year-old vines and are cultivated biodynamically. Nose explodes with citrus bouquet of orange, lemon and grapefruit. Mouth expresses energy and balance in this slightly sea-saline and sapid; agreably flavorful.

Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru, Les Vergers, Millésime 2014, Estate price €66

These soils are filled with Chassagne stones, rich in minerals and white chalky marls. This climat dates from the last centruy only when fruit trees were once planted here. Fifty+ old vines cultivated biodynamically. Nose offers notes of flint-stone and citrus like lime and grapefruit. The Mouth has welcoming precision, agreeable notes and an enormity of finesse and elegance. It is aged 17 months in barrels and was bottled in April 2016.

Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru, Les Chenevottes, Millésime 2014 (blanc), Estate price €64

This vineyard is actually at a depth of 55 cm. The red soil has traces of iron oxide which hints at the remnants of a tropical ground covering from millions of years ago. 60+ year old vines cultivated with respect to the moon cycles of biodynamic viticulture. NOSE has peppermint, linden blossoms, verveine and some lemon and orange zest with a hint of vanilla. MOUTH plays with a tension between power and tension. Beautiful length and refreshing salinity.

Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru, Clos Saint Jean, Millésime 2014 (blanc) Estate price €60

This is one of the oldest climats of Chassagne. Soil is red from the iron-oxide and the vines have a Southeast exposure. All harvesting is done by hand of these 60+ old vines, tenderly cultivated biodyanmically. Aged 17 months in barrels and bottled in April, 2016. NOSE is fruits and white flowers like peach and pear and also fresh baked bread like brioche. MOUTH is generous with perfect acidity and balance.