December selection, dedicated to the various expressions of pinot noir (Stage 45), from Burgundy to Italy
The cellars
Philippe Bouzereau, Mersault (France)
In 1098, the Abbey of Cîteaux was founded in Nuits-Saint-Georges, the first house of the Cistercian order. The following year the monks received their first vineyard, in Meursault, called Vieux Clos, as a gift from Duke Eudes of Burgundy. In 1995, after several changes of ownership, Philippe and Liliane Bouzereau, shopkeepers in Meursault, purchased the Château de Cîteaux, adding this
jewel to their already considerable holdings in the region. The famous “Vieux Clos du Château de Cîteaux” is produced in the vineyard, while in the nearby village of Puligny-Montrachet, in the Premier Cru vineyard called “Les Champs Gains”, the Bouzereau family produces one of the best Pulignys.
Marquises of Montalto, Costa Callotti (PV)
Marchesi di Montalto was founded in 1996 with the determination to give continuity to the values, traditions and viticultural techniques of the century-old family company (born in 1890) and to its philosophy, which considers the vine as the root of life. We are in central Oltrepò, 500 meters above sea level, in an area dominated by the imposing castle of the Balduino Counts. Their vineyards are planted with Pinot Noir, Riesling Renano and Pinot Grigio, together with the native Croatina, Riesling Italico and Moscato vines: the vineyards are located in the best crus of the municipalities of Pietra De Giorgi, Cigognola, Broni and Montalto Pavese. It is precisely in the latter municipality, famously recognized for its great vocation for vines and in particular for Pinot Noir and Riesling Renano, that the Marchesi di Montalto winery is based, which for years has dedicated itself with particular attention to the vinification of two specific vines: Pinot Noir and Riesling. In fact, today it is a "bi-varietal" company that vinifies only the best Pinot Noir and Riesling crus, bottling and marketing a varied range. Their vineyards are the result of intense research to find cuttings capable of guaranteeing a very high quality standard.
Borgo dei Posseri, Ala (TN)
The Borgo dei Posseri, between Lessinia and the Piccole Dolomiti, is an excellent mountain reality, in a beautiful area. We are in Ala, in the province of Trento. The company of Maria Marangoni, Massimo De Alessandri and Martin Mainenti is made up of an area of approximately 230 hectares, in which the 21 hectares of vineyards alternate with woods, meadows and pastures. The lands, already used for mountain pastures, have been transformed into vineyards since 2000, following the most modern wine-growing techniques and trying to maximize the natural beauty of the area. Great attention was paid to the selection of young vines that come from the best nurseries in Europe, all with the aim of creating fine wines with a well-defined character.
Inside, the company is characterized by plots with different morphological, location and microclimate characteristics. The morphology of the landscape alternates more sloping areas, covered by woods, with flat surfaces, partly terraced with dry stone walls on the downstream side. The production orientation is to enhance environmental variability (morphology, exposure, location, origin and characteristics of the land) through a series of vine-environment combinations such as to create wines with a strong personality and originality. The grape varieties grown by the company are Müller Thurgau, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Merlot and other more experimental varieties.
Podere Fortuna, San Giusto a Fortuna (FI)
Podere Fortuna is a Lowenstein family company located in Mugello, northern Tuscany, at the foot of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. The winery, founded in 2001, is the first in this area to produce Pinot Noir. A particular grape variety with complicated production, it finds in this area the ideal microclimate for its maturation, above all thanks to the important day-night temperature range that occurs during the summer period. Over the years, attention to quality and control of every single production aspect have become fundamental aspects of their production: from the selection of the grapes during the harvest to the desire to use filtration and clarification techniques as little as possible, to preserve the typical elegance and the expressiveness of Pinot Noir. The wines of Podere Fortuna start from a challenge and end up representing a territory yet to be explored. Around the vineyard - 21 hectares at 250 meters above sea level, in organic conversion - at the foot of the southern slope of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, an enormous and beautiful natural amphitheater extends.
La Petite Perrière, Poully sur Loire (France)
Domaine Saget La Perrière, in Pouilly sur Loire, on the left bank of the great river, aims to be – and rightly so – an ambassador for the region's wines. With the signature of Guy Saget, the Domaine has been offering one of the most interesting productions of the Loire appellations for over thirty years. With passion and dedication Jean-Louis Saget has managed to bring to light the best climates and the most successful winemaking of each denomination. He passed down his skills to his son Laurent, who still selects the best wines, ensuring that the Domaine's wines can last over time. The wines of the Guy Saget selection are vinified respecting tradition, without any aging in wood, thus expressing all the potential of the Loire area.
Maison Chanzy, Bouzeron (France)
We are in Bouzeron. The Chanzy estate cultivates 80 hectares of certified vineyards of high environmental value, distributed across the three Côtes de la Bourgogne: their objective is to offer a story made of passion and wines that best express the magnificent terroirs of the region. The search for excellence begins with the observation of the terroirs and then continues with a long and precise work of winemaking and refinement, so that each "climat" is expressed in the purest Burgundian tradition.
The grapes from each individual plot are then harvested, vinified, refined and then bottled separately. Aging takes place in rigorously selected barrels to respect the identity of each vineyard plot. In this way, Maison Chanzy sublimates and enhances the expression of individual terroirs.
The wines
Box Enthusiastic
Paradis, Borgo dei Posseri
Pinot Noir, how much effort! There are few grapes on the vine, the vineyard is "stingy" but they believe in it.
A wine that wants to be "horizontal", with a versatile pairing, which focuses on the fruit and essence of the varietal. A red to drink pleasantly, perhaps served at a slightly lower temperature than a traditional red. Grapes harvested after mid-October, by hand after careful selection. Red vinification with fermentation and maceration of the skins for 2 weeks. Maturation takes place in steel and tonneaux for 6 months, with subsequent refinement in the bottle. Color? Bright ruby red. On the nose it expresses enveloping aromas of undergrowth, a delicate floral note and a beautiful aroma that make the aromas fine. A very typical Pinot Noir: agile and flowing sip with clear fruits. In the mouth it is enveloping, soft, harmonious, decidedly elegant.
Versatile in pairings, it is ideal with fish soup and aromatic herb risotto. To be served at 15° C.
Canue Pinot Noir, Marchesi di Montalto
The harvest is carried out by hand, from the first week of September, with subsequent crushing, destemming, maceration and short fermentation, aging in steel. Starting from the February following the harvest, after 45 days, it can be consumed in its maximum fragrance.
Memories of berries, currants, cassis and blackberries, fruity and floral hints of this important red obtained from 100% Pinot Noir. On the sip you can perceive a concentration of structure, a nice acidity and a softness of tannin which make drinking very pleasant. An enveloping and persistent wine.
Ideal with local cured meats and cheeses such as Salame di Varzi DOP, or with tagliatelle with meat sauce. Taste at 16-18° C.
Pinot Noir, La Petite Perrière
Precious ripe fruits, light spicy hints and a herbaceous finish. These are the emblematic characteristics of this pure Pinot Noir, harvested in October in Pouilly-sur-Loire, France. The clayey-limestone soil gives the vine unmistakable taste-olfactory qualities.
An intense ruby red, it expresses itself with intensity on the nose and stands out for its notable complexity and enchanting finesse. Notes of ripe red fruits stand out, such as blackberries and raspberries, with a slightly floral violet finish, a typical characteristic of the vine. The sip is soft and elegant, with a present but never intrusive tannin which makes drinking very pleasant. The flavor is excellent, as is the persistence, which is beautiful and incisive.
A young and versatile wine, which pairs perfectly with coq au vin and pear and sausage risotto or with aromatic herbs. Serve at 16-18° C.
Passionate Box
Paradis, Borgo dei Posseri
Pinot Noir, how much effort! There are few grapes on the vine, the vineyard is "stingy" but they believe in it.
A wine that wants to be "horizontal", with a versatile pairing, which focuses on the fruit and essence of the varietal. A red to drink pleasantly, perhaps served at a slightly lower temperature than a traditional red. Grapes harvested after mid-October, by hand after careful selection. Red vinification with fermentation and maceration of the skins for 2 weeks. Maturation takes place in steel and tonneaux for 6 months, with subsequent refinement in the bottle. Color? Bright ruby red. On the nose it expresses enveloping aromas of undergrowth, a delicate floral note and a beautiful aroma that make the aromas fine. A very typical Pinot Noir: agile and flowing sip with clear fruits. In the mouth it is enveloping, soft, harmonious, decidedly elegant.
Versatile in pairings, it is ideal with fish soup and aromatic herb risotto. To be served at 15° C.
Coldaia, Podere Fortuna
A 100% natural wine: it ferments with only indigenous yeasts, no acidification or addition of tannins is carried out. The Coldaia Pinot Noir rests for one year in barriques and seven months in concrete vats. It is bottled without filtration. It is the maximum expression of the terroir and the vintage, with the minimum addition of sulphites. A bright ruby red with light garnet reflections. On the nose, ripe and elegant notes of cherry and raspberry which make the smell fine and intense, with a pleasant toasted and spicy finish. The sip is soft and delicate, enveloping persistence and superior tannin which makes it pleasant to drink. A pure, essential wine, with unparalleled harmony.
Balance and versatility, it is perfect to combine with stewed pigeon with pan-fried potatoes, or a simple grilled white chicken meat. Serve at 16-18° C.
Pinot Noir Collection, Maison Chanzy
Pure Pinot Noir harvested by hand, from a clayey limestone soil, with the presence of marl. Vinification in steel and maturation in wooden barrels for a period that Olivier Chanzy varies from 1 to 4 years depending on the characteristics of the vintage.
Light structure, liveliness and unmistakable personality characterize this very pleasant Pinot Noir. Ruby red with garnet reflections; the nose presents fragrant aromas of small red fruits and blackberries. In the mouth it is soft, round, with velvety and elegant tannins. Aromas of red fruit, cherry, strawberry, raspberry accompanied by blackberry and spices. In the mouth it is round with thin and elegant tannins.
It pairs with great satisfaction with land and meat first courses, stews and braised meats, as well as medium-aged cheeses. For a delicious vegetarian version, try it with mushroom soup. Taste at 16-18° C.
Expert Box
Costagrossa Brut, Marchesi di Montalto
From the Costagrossa vineyard of the same name, planted entirely with Pinot Noir, this sparkling wine is born which represents the maximum expression of the Oltrepò Pavese territory. After at least 36 months of maturation on its yeasts, it presents itself in all its typical complexity of the vine without any compromise or mediation. All this gives an extraordinary taste-olfactory balance and a unique personality: juicy and fragrant, it expresses notes of flowers and fruit, among which citrus fruits and ripe yellow fruit especially stand out. The finish recalls yeast, with notes of bread crust due to refinement in the bottle. The minerality persists for a long time and excels on the nose and returns to the sense of smell.
A complex and fragrant wine, versatile in pairings: perfect with spaghetti with seafood and grilled white meats. To be served at 4-6°C.
Coldaia, Podere Fortuna
A 100% natural wine: it ferments with only indigenous yeasts, no acidification or addition of tannins is carried out. The Coldaia Pinot Noir rests for one year in barriques and seven months in concrete vats. It is bottled without filtration. It is the maximum expression of the terroir and the vintage, with the minimum addition of sulphites. A bright ruby red with light garnet reflections. On the nose, ripe and elegant notes of cherry and raspberry which make the smell fine and intense, with a pleasant toasted and spicy finish. The sip is soft and delicate, enveloping persistence and superior tannin which makes it pleasant to drink. A pure, essential wine, with unparalleled harmony.
Balance and versatility, it is perfect to combine with stewed pigeon with pan-fried potatoes, or a simple grilled white chicken meat. Serve at 16-18° C.
Bourgogne Pinot Noir, Philippe Bouzereau
100% pinot noir Coming from the village Les Durots in Meursault from a land with brown, calcareous and deep soil. Maceration for 25 days in open vats with thermoregulation, of which 12 days of cold pre-fermentation. Bottling after 12 months after a light clarification.
A beautiful ruby red. The nose is fine and intense, developing a fruity bouquet, with hints of strawberry, raspberry and currant. In the mouth it is soft and round, the structure is fine and very harmonious. Fresh, fruity, very elegant finish.
A perfect wine to pair with rosemary steaks or casserole veal medallions. Serve at 16-18° C.
