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Jadot- Great Burgundy That Ages Well

By Darryl Beeson

Great Burgundy wines defy most of the rules. For instance, the whites can age well along with reds. The four important rules to remember are first location, location, location (the vineyard) along with the equally important forth rule- what house produced the wine? Maison Jadot has a stellar record regarding all four of the rules. To learn more, visit louisjadot.com (pronounced loo-ey jah-DOH).

Maison Louis Jadot Savigny-Les-Beaune "Clos des Guettes" 1997
Price $40.99
Rating 92

This wine is a great example of how well made white Burgundies can age beautifully. There are aromas and flavors of butterscotch, and roasted macadamia nuts. There is bright lemon citrus with fresh herb in the sip."It is a fresh, frank and full-fruited wine with a racy, vivacious elegance that can be quite seductive, and is immediately distinguishable by a unique earthy tang in the bouquet and finish," observes Jacques Lardiere, technical director of Jadot. "This is a single vineyard, Guette meaning 'watch over' as the vineyard is at the top of a hill," explains Lardiere. "This is now a mature chardonnay. This is the right time to drink this wine, though it will age another three or four years."

Maison Louis Jadot Puligny-Montrachet "Les Perrieres" 1999
Price $76.99
Rating 95

There are refreshng aromas of citrus leaf and citrus floral, then flavors lemon merainge, subtle roasted nuts and intriguing mineral. "The 1999 vintage was a gorgeous vintage in regards to volume and really clean berries with no mold. Perrier means rock and it is a very mineral tasting white wine," says Lardiere. "For me this is still very young and I would be anxious to taste this wine in ten years. Don't get me wrong. It is drinking well now. This goes with fish, like sole, or veal. There should be a creamy sauce."

Maison Louis Jadot Chambolle-Musigny 1997
Price $45.99
Rating 90

Earthy aromas start things out with a small hint of roasted tomato, then flavors of freshly tilled garden soil, subtle elements of red and dark fruit wrapped within a still bracing and balanced crispness. "This wine is a classic Chambolle-Musigny of sublime finesse. Its subtle red-berry and violet fragrance is repeated in the silken flavors on the palate, and supported by a firm yet delicate tannic structure and lovely, complex finish. People in France love to say that this is one of the most feminine wines of the Burgundy. I am not so sure that I agree," suggests Lardiere.

Maison Louis Jadot Chambolle-Musigny 1996
Price $39.99
Rating 92

Complex, forest floor aromas with interesting fruit aromas like black cherry are followed by flavors of rich berry fruit with hints of earth, mushroom and sweet, ripe tomato. "The wine is a classic Chambolle-Musigny of sublime finesse. Its subtle red-berry and violet fragrance is repeated in the silken flavors on the palate, and supported by a firm yet delicate tannic structure and lovely, complex finish," observes Lardiere.

Maison Louis Jadot Chambolle-Musigny 1994
Price $45.99
Rating 94

There are rich, earthy aromas of truffle, black cherry, sweet tomato, followed by flavors of roasted, ripe cherry tomato, pepper, subtle spice and earth in the long finish.

Maison Louis Jadot Chambertin "Clos de Beze" 2001
Price $154.99
Rating 95

A sniff reveals deep, dark fruit laced with exotic anise. A sip offers big, bright flavors of red cherry, black cherry, and more delicate spice in the long length. "This is still pretty tight and young. It is not quite open though the wine has been in the glass over an hour," observes Lardiere. 

Maison Louis Jadot Bonnes Mares 2000
Price $125.99
Rating 94

Somber aromas of black fruit, mushroom, along with a tropical/lime zest, then flavors of crisp cherry fruit, lime along with interesting floral notes. "Bonnes Mares is pretty close to being my favorite," admits Lardiere. "Maison Jadot produces only ten barrels. This will easily age twenty years. It is a great expression of pinot noir. The most important thing to know when buying Burgundy is to know the name of the producer. Second to that, location is important."

Maison Louis Jadot Chevalier-Montrachet 2001
Price $223
Rating 96

One notices the vibrant aromas of mineral and cashew butter, then flavors of lemon, subtle pineapple, cashew butter, subtle roasted nuts, apple butter and delicate spice notes with cinnamon.

Darryl Beeson travels the world looking for great wine values. In the past, he has been wine steward or cellar master for The Mansion on Turtle Creek, Voltaire, and The Adolphus Hotel. Not one for stuffiness or secret handshakes relative to wine, this Texan might now be described as a "ki-yi-yippee sommelier, sommelier." Beeson reports on wine, spirits, food and travel for numerous publications.

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