Burgundy Wine Tasting the Edge Steak + Bar at the Four Seasons on Brickell

It's a naive domestic Burgundy without any breeding, but I think you'll be amused by its presumption.
James Thurber 1894 - 1961
Caption for cartoon in The New Yorker

Burgundy is one of the world’s greatest wine producing regions and when it comes to the French concept of terroir, Burgundy is the greatest example of this concept of sense of place or where the wine comes from. Terroir is the place where the wine comes from and all of its special characteristics that the aspect of the vineyard site, type of soils that are present and weather conditions that exist where the vineyard resides.

When it comes to Burgundy there are only two grape varietals that are grown here, Chardonnay for the whites and Pinot Noir for the reds. This makes it rather simple to figure out the varietal composition of the wines and to focus on the terroir of each different cru or vineyard site. There are three levels of wines in Burgundy with Grand Cru making up the top 1% of the wines produced here. Many of the grand cru sites in Burgundy have been recognized as superior terroirs for close to 1000 years. Premier Cru is next down the quality ladder from Grand Cru and there are only 10% of the wines in Burgundy designated as Premier Cru vineyard sites. The next level down is village wine which the rest of the wines of Burgundy are considered to be village level.

There are 25 Grand Cru vineyard sites for reds and 5 Grand Cru sites for the white wines in the Cotes d’or. We have not yet considered Chablis, which has 8 grand cru vineyards of its own or Beaujolaise to the south which is considered traditionally to be a part of Burgundy but the red varietal here is not Pinot Noir but rather Beaujoliase Gamay, which grows better in the granite soils of this region. We have still not even mentioned the Macon or Cote Chalonnaise so there are always exceptions to the rule and Burgundy is a rather large wine producing region.

Burgundy Wine Tasting the Edge Restaurant at the Four Seasons on Brickell
Tuesday, September 4, 2012 -
7:00 PM

Tonight we will just be focusing on the top area called the Cotes D’or which contains the Cotes de Beaune where the great whites (all five Grand Crus for white are located here) and the Cotes de Nuits (24 of the 25 grand Crus for red are located here).

We have been looking for a partner to host our wine tasting events with for a long time in Miami and it looks like we have found a perfect fit with the Edge Steak + Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel on Brickell in downtown Miami.

Check out the listing of events posted through the end of the year at the Edge Steak + Bar, we will be here every other Tuesday night for a unique and different wine tasting event.

This venue has a lot of potential for our events with so many different spaces available at the hotel we will have a variety of different themed events as well as winemaker dinners coming up here in the very near future.

Chef Aaron Brooks will be sending out a few small courses to accompany the tasting wines. The fee for this event is $35 + tax. For reservations call 305-358-3535 or e-mail: maria.torres@fourseasons.com.

Valet Service at the hotel is $9 for three hours.

Tasting line-up:

Bouchard Pere et Fils Pouilly Fuisse 2010
Price: $26.25       Sale $23.10          Case $268

Typical aromas, with fruit and floral notes. A very perfumed, silky and elegant wine. To be drunk preferably in its youth for its freshness.

Charles Audoin Marsannay Blanc "Au Champ Salomon " 2008
Price: $28.50       Sale $25.08          Case $291

A good bit of chalky mineral notes to the nose, hints of vanilla crème and white peach, apple and lemon citrus fruit on the nose.  Nice creamy texture on the tongue with layers of minerality and nice firm acidity here to the end.  Finish 40+                Very Good +

Jean Marc Brocard Chablis " Fourchaume" 1er Cru 2008
Price: $30                             Sale $26.40          Case $306

Sea shell like minerality on the nose lemon citrus and ripe golden apple on the nose with a touch of hazelnut.  A fat style of Chablis with nice amount of that sea shell like minerality and a nice fresh finish but lots of fat fruit for a Chablis.  Finish 40+                Very Good +

Bouchard Pere et Fils Bourgogne Rouge 2009
Price: $19.75       Sale $17.38          Case $202

An excellent entry level Bourgogne Rouge with the extensive vineyard holdings that the Bouchard Pere et Fils label has to draw from it is easy to believe the quality of this entry level bourgogne.  These 2009's are the most forward and seductive of all the wines that we have ever seen for such a great vintage.

Bouchard Pere et Fils Beaune Clos de Mousse 2010
Price: $50                             Sale $44                Case $510

Fruit aromas combined with light toasty notes. Both fleshy and refined, Clos de la Mousse reveals its charms with delicacy. Good ageing potential

Charles Audoin Marsannay " Les Longeroies" 2008
Price: $30                             Sale $26.40          Case $306

A fairly earthy wine with mushroom and underbrush notes to the dark cherry fruit, a bit of barnyard here on the nose.  Fine tannins on the tongue with a silky smooth texture firm acidity holding things in place with that earth and funk lasting all the way to the end.  Finish 40+  Very Good

Charles Audoin Fixin" La Rozier" 2008
Price: $31.50       Sale $27.72          Case $321

A good bit of funk here on the nose with a good amount of rocky mineral like notes with pretty floral notes and some of that animal or barnyard also shining through the red cherry and cranberry like fruit.  A big and sturdy Pinot Noir with tart red cherry fruit and a nice hand of gravelly mineral and firm tannins on the finish for a Pinot Noir Classic Fixin.  Finish 35+                Very Good

Patrice Rion Vougeot "Les Cras" 1er Cru 2008
Price: $67.50       Sale $59.40          Case $689

A bit of funky earth notes coming out of the glass initially with some red cherry and wild strawberry like fruit, a pretty floral nuance coming through and some exotic spice after opening up for a bit.  Nice tart red cherry fruit on the tongue with hints of flowers and fresh earth barnyard notes from the nose and light spice on the finish.  Finish 40+              Excellent

Menu:

Florida Snapper Carpaccio, Baby Potatoes, Leek and Oyster 'Vichyssoise', Caviar

Beef Shortrib a la Bourguignon, Traditional Garnish, Bacon Fried Bread

The fee for this event is $35 + tax. For reservations call 305-358-3535 or e-mail: maria.torres@fourseasons.com.

2005 Vintage Burgundy Sale!!!

Speaking of Burgundy, we have a huge selection of wines from this wine region and from GREAT vintages like 2005!  Here is a list of everything we have in the store from this incredible vintage and you can try any of them for our case discount from bottle one!!

2005 Dubreuil Fontaine Corton Bressandes Grand Cru
Price: $97.50       Sale $85.80
Quantity in Stock: 31

Black cherry liqueur like fruit on the nose with pretty floral nuance and oriental spices very aromatic even right after opening. The next morning the nose is showing quite a bit more minerality and the fruit was still coming out along with a ton of spice and floral notes as well. Smooth and silky on the palate with succulent berry fruit still quite a bit of tannins here but wow what fruit on the tongue with a host of spice echoing through the finish along with firm acidity. This wine could have another 15-20 years ahead of it. A bit smoother on the tongue but still very similar in flavors on the 2nd day still showing bright red cherry berry fruit and firm acidity through the finish and lots of minerality very long and complex this wine is mouth coating Finish 45 Most Excellent

The village of Pommard is situated between Volnay to the South and Beaune to the North. Pommard is on a slope, between 240 and 380 meters, facing east or south-east. There is no white wine that can be made as Pommard this is an area that can only be red. There are no grand cru wines.

The « Les Epenots » vineyard consists of two parcels : « Les Petits Epenots » and « Les Grands Epenots ». The word "Epenots" comes from "épines", meaning that these vineyards used to be surrounded with bushes full of spines. They are situated in the northern part of the commune, bordering Beaune and its Premier Cru "Les Boucherottes" and Les Epenottes, and cover approximately 25 hectares.

2005 Dubreuil Fontaine Pommard Epenots 1er Cru
Price: $90.00       Sale $79.20
Quantity in Stock: 27

Raspberry coulis like fruit with notes of dried herbs and gravelly minerality coming though with a very similar bouquet the next morning with a bit more pronounced floral and gravelly minerality showing with 12 hours of air time. Bright raspberry fruit on the tongue with quite a bit of tannins still evident with lovely structure and depth of fruit tannins and rose petal like floral nuance through the finish, very complex and long finish, this wine needs a bit of time still a bit tannic and hard edged on the finish. Smoothing out nicely on the second day but still showing its youth and lovely zesty finish that goes on a bit longer than the Epenots. Finish 50 Most Excellent

Corton is an Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) and Grand Cru vineyard for red and white wine in Côte de Beaune subregion of Burgundy. It is located on a hill shared between the three villages of Aloxe-Corton, Pernand-Vergelesses and Ladoix in the Côte de Beaune, Burgundy. The appellation covers the lower parts of the Corton hill and includes several subordinate vineyard names, or climats, within the AOC. Due to the size of the AOC and the variability of these climats, it is the rule rather than the exception that the name of the climat is indicated together with that of the Corton AOC, leading to designations such as Corton Clos du Roi and Corton Les Bressandes. Corton is somewhat unique in this aspect, since it is very seldom to indicate climat for other Grand Cru appellations in Côte d'Or. The AOC was created in 1937.

Sat about halfway up the hillside village of Pernand-Vergelesses is the domaine of Dubreil-Fontaine. Christine is the 5th generation of the family since 1879, to run the domaine from Pernand. The domaine covers some 20 hectares and they produce around 20 different cuvées that cover the entire range of quality in Burgundy, this dopamine is not a small operation. I have been buying wines from this Domaine through the U.S. importer for the last ten years but have never been offered the Pommard Epenots nor the Corton Bressandes before this as most of these went to Chadderton’s top restaurant clients in NYC.

This Domaine does not rely on just the U.S. and Britan to sell its wines, about 50% of their production is exported to; Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Netherlands, Denmark and Japan.

It was in 1879 that Pierre Arbinet established a domaine which he later passed to his son-in-law Julien Dubreuil. Julien’s son Pierre Dubreuil-Fontaine was responsible for further expanding the vineyards. Today Christine Gruere-Dubreuil manages the domaine after succeeding her father, Bernard Dubreuil.

2005 Domaine Alain Burguet Gevery Chambertin La Justice
Price: $81.50       Sale $71.72
Quantity in Stock: 14

(Score 89-91)Tasting note: An airy, perfumed and layered nose of red berry fruits, most notably raspberry merges into rich, sweet and full flavors that don't have quite the same level of mid-palate concentration but possess even more detail and a lovely, if subtle, minerality. This is quite fine and pure and fashioned in an understated style. -Burghound

2005 Domaine Alain Burguet Gevery Chambertin En Reniard
Price: $71.75       Sale $63.14
Quantity in Stock: 12

(Score 89-92) Tasting note: A striking nose of red and black cherry, warm earth, underbrush and spice hints precede concentrated, rich, round and serious flavors blessed with excellent dry extract and outstanding complexity on the dusty, long and palate coating finish. This is a very impressive example and highly recommended. -Burghound

2005 Domaine Alain Burguet Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Les Rouges Du Dessus
Price: $133.00    Sale $117.04
Quantity in Stock: 26

(Score 91-93)Tasting note: In contrast to the airy nose of the Chambolle, this is brooding, backward and very serious with a somber nose of dark berry fruit aromas, earth, spice and violets that sit atop rich, full, velvety and powerful flavors that offer excellent freshness and energy on the tautly structured and intense finish. The tannins are firm but buried and this should improve for at least a decade and last for much longer. -Burghound

2005 Domaine Alain Burguet Chambolle Musigny Les Chardannes
Price: $84.00       Sale $73.92
Quantity in Stock: 10

(Score 90-92) Tasting note: This is wonderfully airy with almost wispy aromas of red and violet fruit aromas liberally laced with warm earth and underbrush that can also be found on the rich, full and sweet flavors that retain a fine sense of detail and precision on the sappy and mouth coating finish that goes on and on. Burguet has managed to preserve the elegance of Chambolle while combining it with the taut, even sleek muscle of Gevrey. As promising as the Mes Favorites if a bit more forward. -Burghound

2005 Bouchard Beune Greves L'enfant Jesus 1er Cru
Price: $128.50    Sale $113.08
Quantity in Stock: 5

(93 Points) A distinctly more elegant and higher-toned nose introduces rich, full, pliant and refined flavors that possess outstanding depth on the ripe, balanced, pure and sublimely harmonious finish. A terrific Beaune and highly recommended.  Tasted: Apr 01, 2007 Drink: 2013 - Comments: Sweet spot Outstanding!
Burghound Issue 26

2005 Robert Chevillon Nuits St George
Price: $82.50       Sale $72.60
Quantity in Stock: 4

(89-90 Points)The 2005 Nuits-St.-Georges Vieilles Vignes had just been assembled, but not yet sulfured or filtered. It boasts a bright, sorbet-like expression of red raspberry and cherry fruit, with high-toned notes of marzipan, subtle suggestions of beef marrow, a silken feel in the mouth, and refined tannins. Unusually red-fruited and extroverted for a 2005, this sleek Pinot promises to be an exception also in drinking well young, although up to 5-7 years bottle age will probably do it no harm.

If further proof were needed that the Chevillons are in a class by themselves among the major Nuits-St.-Georges landholders, they certainly delivered it this year. Like so many other vintners, they reported backing off on pigeage this year – and heaven knows, the resultant wines don’t lack for concentration. Their Bourgogne Passetoutgrain, Bourgogne, and Nuits-St.-Georges Les Perrieres had all just been sulfured and filtered, so Bertrand Chevillon declined to show them. He was as yet noncommittal, however, about when the other wines would be bottled, although this would probably continue through Spring, and be accompanied by the estate’s usual light filtration.Wine Advocate # 170 Apr 2007

2005 Domaine de Courcel Pommard
Price: $62.00       Sale $54.56
Quantity in Stock: 11

(87-90 Points) There is a bit more aromatic complexity as the densely fruited nose reveals notes of earth, underbrush and a subtle hint of anise that can also be found on the fresh, powerful and intense flavors that are sleekly muscled and very Pommard in character. This is not an elegant wine but for a villages level wine, this offers solid quality and it too should age gracefully. Tasted: Apr 01, 2007 Drink: 2012 Burghound Issue 26

2005 Dugat-Py Gevrey-Chambertin Vielle Vignes
Price: $125.00    Sale $110
Quantity in Stock: 4

2005 Faiveley Chambolle Musigny
 Price: $85.50      Sale $75.24
Quantity in Stock: 4

2005 Faiveley Clos Vougeot Grand Cru
Price: $203.00    Sale $178.64
Quantity in Stock: 12

(92-95 pts) This too is very deftly oaked with an earthy and very ripe mix of briar, dark berry fruit and pungent underbrush aromas leading to muscled, energetic and sappy flavors where the mid-palate fat almost completely buffers the firm though not aggressive tannins that add a chewy texture to the gorgeously long finish. There is a really attractive underlying tension here but like most of these grands crus, this is a wine for the patient that will last for decades. Burghound.com

2005 Domaine Louis Boillot & Fils Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Champonnet
Price: $119.75    Sale $105.38
Quantity in Stock: 4

(91-93 Points) This too is extremely airy and fresh with bright red berry fruit, stone and subtle spice notes that lead to wonderfully pure, high-toned and sophisticated flavors that are dusty, refined and delineated and evidence plenty of underlying minerality on the punchy, focused and complex finish. A seriously lovely wine that is understated and harmonious. Tasted: Jan 01, 2007, Drink: 2013+  Sweet spot Outstanding! Burghound Issue 25

2005 Mommessin Clos De Tart Grand Cru
Price: $650.00    Sale $572
Quantity in Stock: 2

(94 Points) Sylvain Pithiot and his team – whom I did not have a chance to visit in person – scored an impressive success with this venerable Mommessin monopole. For a Burgundy of over 14% alcohol, the 2005 Clos de Tart exhibits remarkably “cool” aromas of blueberry, greenhouse vegetation and flowers, smoked meats, and sea breeze. Nor does its silken-textured, blue- and black-fruited palate impression, while voluminous, evince any heat. Juicy in fruit, savory, saline, and stony throughout, this wine finishes with a lasting impression of concentrated fresh blueberry and blackberry, along with stony, alkaline minerality and black pepper-dusted smoked duck. Wine Advocate

2005 Tollot Beaut Beaune Greves 1er Cru
Price: $76.50       Sale $67.32
Quantity in Stock: 5

(91 Points) "Outstanding!" from Allen Meadows: "This is also quite stylish but more serious and with better aromatic depth to the black raspberry and subtle earth notes that are a perfect complement to the rich, full and sweet flavors brimming with buffering sap such that the firm structure seems almost invisible. This delivers excellent quality and will also reward mid-term cellaring."

2005 Vincent Girardin Chambertin Clos De Beze Grand Cru
Price: $368.00    Sale $323.84
Quantity in Stock: 9

(91 -93 points) A layered and wonderfully complex spicy red fruit nose introduces big and rich flavors that are impressively scaled if not equal to those of the Chambertin, finally culminating in an intense pure and detailed finish that is strikingly long and deep. This is a beautiful wine but the Chambertin takes the best in cellar award in 2005. Burghound, April 2007

(92 -95 points) Stephen Tanzer's IWC, March 2007

White Burgundy from the outstanding 2005 vintage:

2005 Domaine Ramonet Chassagne Monrachet Boudriotte Premier Cru
Price: $82.50
Quantity in Stock: 2

2005 Domaine Ramonet Chassagne Montrachet
Price: $62.25
Quantity in Stock: 3

2005 Philippe Colin Deleger Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Chaumees
Price: $81.25
Quantity in Stock: 5

Complex, musky aromas of smoke, flint and honey. Fat, sweet and showy, with mouth coating, honeyed stone fruits and charred oak tones. Broad and sweet but not heavy. In fact, this is downright suave and subtle on the long, spicy back end. More expressive than the Vergers today but not necessarily better. (89-92 Points) Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Jul/Aug 06

2005 Philippe Colin Deleger Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Chenevottes
Price: $81.25
Quantity in Stock: 7

(91 Points) Here the nose is distinctly cooler and more reserved and it's less obviously ripe as well with notes aromas that run more toward the floral side of the spectrum, followed by delicious, fresh and intense medium-bodied flavors that possess excellent detail and a lovely mineral streak on the punchy and energetic finish. I quite like this as it's ripe yet vibrant. Tasted: Jul 01, 2007 Drink: 2008 , Burghound Issue 27

 2005 Domaine Michel Niellon Chassagne Montrachet Les Champgains Premier Cru
Price: $93.00       Sale $81.84
Quantity in Stock: 12

2005 Louis Jadot Puligny Montrachet Les Referts 1er Cru
Price: $76.50       Sale $67.32
Quantity in Stock: 1

The Referts climate is next to "Les Combettes, and it benefits from the same soil. The Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Les Referts" is rich, less tight than "les Combetes" with a good amount of ripe tree fruit aromas, apple, lemon and pear with gravel like mineral notes. A bit tightly wound at the moment, but has excellent balance and length on the finish. Finish 45+ EXCELLENT +

2005 Faiveley Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru
Price: $269.00    Sale $236.72
Quantity in Stock: 3

(92 Points) The new oak dominates now, with overtones of vanilla, clove and smoke submerging the citrus and apple notes. This should resolve itself in a year or so, as this is otherwise balanced and long. Best from 2010 through 2022. 25 cases imported. –BS Wine Spectator Issue: Jun 30, 2008

2005 Domaine Michel Lafarge Meursault
 Price: $52.50      Sale $46.20
Quantity in Stock: 11

(86-89 Points) The late malo shows up here as the nose is very primary, indeed even with vestiges of fermentation aromas though the forward middle weight flavors possess good mid-palate fat and fine richness on the fruity and delicious finish that isn't overly complex but attractive in its fashion. Burghound Tasted: Jul 01, 2007 Drink: 2008,  Issue 27

2005 Camille Giroud Puligny Montrachet Champgains 1er Cru
Price: $98.00       Sale $86.24
Quantity in Stock: 12

One the nose this wine is ripe and seductive showing peach, apple and oak spice flavors. A more forward style of Puligny with distinct mineral and crisp acidity through the finish, very appealing even in its youth. Finish 45+ EXCELLENT +

2005 Bruno Colin Chassagne Montrachet La Maltroie Premier Cru
Price: $85.00       Sale $74.80
Quantity in Stock: 5

(91 Points) The Bruno Colin 2007 Chassagne-Montrachet Maltroie displays ripe peach and sweetly perfumed floral aromas, which presage a more generous, suggestively sweet palate impression than in other wines of this collection, with luscious grapefruit and tart black currant and huckleberry supplying counterpoint. It finishes with some of the rather Chablis-like crustacean savor that accrues to several of its siblings, along with chalk, and salt that prompt lip smacking and invigoration. This is handsomely lean, happily bright wine that for those reasons doesn't turn austere. It should be deliciously versatile over the next half dozen - perhaps more - years. eRobertParker.com # 186, Dec 2009

2005 Michel Picard Chassagne Montrachet En Pimont
Price: $39.00       Sale $34.32
Quantity in Stock: 10