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Thursday, June 1, 2006 2005 Frédéric Magnien ChablisQuintessential Chablis
“All went well in Chablis with superb weather that allowed the region to return to the balance of a great year without the excess heat of 2003 or the high yields of 2004. ” Classic, crystalline Chablis from a vintage that is nothing short of spectacular. The more we taste early wine from this vintage, the more we are certain that 2005 will be a memorable one for Chablis, as well as for all of France. We are not the only ones. The June issue of La Revue du Vin de France, France's leading wine publication, calls the 2005 vintage “Burgundy's next great year” and advises consumers to “go to any length” to find these wines. French magazine Bourgogne Aujourd'hui's recent vintage report places 2005 Chablis in a league all its own. Echoing past legendary vintages of 2002 and 1990, the magazine editors assert that 2005 is a vintage of not only unparalleled excellent wines, but also extremely ageworthy wines.
No other Chablis vintage in the past two decades even comes close—and as more reports emerge, the same will no doubt hold true. Imagine a vintage that has everything great Chablis requires, in all the right amounts: an impressive depth and complexity of fruit and a gorgeous balance of ripeness and acidity. The most pure, concentrated flavors of perfect Chardonnay wrapped in a gossamer corset of mineral zest that fits like a glove. One experiences such promise so early on in only the finest of vintages—which is why we are delighted to present one of the most exciting Chablis collections we've ever offered.
In 2005, we were able not only to expand our presence in this historic region but also succeeded in growing a great partnership with one of the finest winemakers in Burgundy today. Frédéric Magnien, who, as we do, respects the traditions of winemaking in Chablis, was astounded (as were many a winemaker in Burgundy; some say they haven't seen such quality since 1990) by the purity of Chardonnay fruit from 2005. And when we were able to present Magnien with the opportunity to acquire fruit from some of Chablis' finest vineyards, he knew it was an offer no winemaker could possibly pass up.
We visited a number of our favorite sources of Chablis and, with Magnien, courted some new ones, all growers with a reputation for quality and great crus. We chose only older-vine fruit from the best vineyards. The depth, concentration and laser-cut precision of old-vine fruit was exactly what we were looking for—and for Magnien, this also guaranteed that his wines would truly speak of the soils from which they grew. Not a splinter of new wood touched any of Magnien's 2005 Chablis—if wood was used at all, it was older demi-muids. Classically chiseled, juicy, deep and very ageworthy—this is textbook Chablis from the finest terroirs in the region, guided by the hands of a master.
While 2004 was a superb vintage for Chablis, 2005 today is showing an overall greatness rarely ever seen. This limited lineup is, in our estimation, one of the finest, purest and most ageworthy groups of Chablis we've ever offered. Each bottle—from village wines to the most noble grand crus—was raised with the utmost respect of the unique terroir that is Chablis.
ALL WINES PRE-ARRIVAL.
2005 Frédéric Magnien Chablis V.V.A remarkable village Chablis that's essentially a single-vineyard wine. Magnien found perfect fruit from “Chapelot,” a vineyard just across from the premier cru “Montée de Tonnerre.” 100% tank made to preserve every drop of Chardonnay purity. Lemon yogurt, fresh almonds and the chalky crunch of crushed oyster shells shows in the wine's sunlight-kissed nose, while a full, vibrant mouth of white fruits and metal shavings signals that this is no ordinary village Chablis. Pin-point balance and just 12.8 percent alcohol, utterly natural and completely delicious. True, pure Chablis. Call 1-800-266-6585 for availability. 2005 Frédéric Magnien Chablis V.V. 375mlHALF-BOTTLES. Call 1-800-266-6585 for availability. 2005 Frédéric Magnien Chablis 1er Cru “Fourchaume” V.V.A fleshy, sultry “Fourchaume” from the heart of the vineyard. This magical wine is a blend of old-vine fruit from two separate lieu-dits, “L'Homme Mort” and “La Fourchaume.” A gorgeous bouquet of wildflowers and honeysuckle wrap around generous servings of creamery butter that simply melt on the tongue like a warm croissant. Layers of flavor and abundant aromatics make it a “Fourchaume” to remember. Call 1-800-266-6585 for availability. 2005 Frédéric Magnien Chablis 1er Cru “Vaillons”A delicate coat of Meyer lemon zest and white flowers hugs a rich, dripping center of velvet white fruit and flesh. Perfect fruit from 40-year-old vines provide incredible density and length, so much so that our stopwatches broke half-way through the tasting. Laser-cut precision and breathtaking depth, “Vaillons” is undoubtedly one of the most fresh, floral and tantalizing Chablis we can remember. Call 1-800-266-6585 for availability. 2005 Frédéric Magnien Chablis 1er Cru “Les Forets” V.V.A magical wine from 50-year-old vines that sit in the heart of the best section of “Montmains.” Magnien aged this crystalline Chablis in a combination of tank and older demi-muids. A blend of lemon butter and yellow flowers introduces a brisk, balanced mouth of lemon rind and pepper. Balanced and fabulously long. Call 1-800-266-6585 for availability. 2005 Frédéric Magnien Chablis 1er Cru “Les Forets” Vieilles Vignes 375mlHALF-BOTTLES. $26.95
2005 Frédéric Magnien Chablis "Valmur" Grand Cru Vieilles VignesRich, palate-staining and utterly captivating, this tremendous grand cru Chablis envelops you with its buttery personality yet still retains the grace and balance characteristic of this vineyard site. Lime blossoms and white roses dipped in honey butter greet the nose, while a lovely, luscious mouth of fresh butter and almonds lingers into eternity. $61.95
2005 Frédéric Magnien Chablis Valmur Grand Cru Vieilles Vignes 375mlHALF-BOTTLES. $35.95
2005 Frédéric Magnien Chablis Valmur Grand Cru V.V. MAGNUMSMAGNUMS. Call 1-800-266-6585 for availability. 2005 Frédéric Magnien Chablis Les Clos Grand CruPerfect flesh and abundant aromatics characterize this elegant grand cru, wrapped in layers of sultry, Puligny-styled herbal butter and sweet jasmine. An incredible wave of fresh fruit, creamery butter, nuts and bright minerals envelops the palate—a sea of oyster shells and gooseberries, metal shavings and yellow fruits that is miles deep and centuries long. Hand-harvested fruit from 30-40 year old vines, aged in 2/3 tank and 1/3 older barrique. A blockbuster Chablis with immortal potential. Call 1-800-266-6585 for availability. |
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