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James Halliday, June 30, 20092000 A&P de Villaine Bourgogne Cote Chalonnaise
This is an unashamedly simple red burgundy from the Cote Chalonnaises, entitled only to the basic Appellation Bourgogne Controlee. It is remarkably fresh, bright and crisp; what it is not is complex or rich. Yet it comes from the La Digoine Vineyard of the owner of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, Aubert de Villaine. This helps resolve the apparent contradiction of a nine-year-old wine from an undistinguished vintage still looking so lively. It is made in the estate winery, and derives nothing from the Domaine, other, perhaps, than the same single-minded attention to detail and refusal to accept anything less than the best. Its very simplicity was what I was looking for to accompany a spiced butterflied leg of lamb, and it worked a treat, however unconventional that may seem.
This is an unashamedly simple red burgundy from the Cote Chalonnaises, entitled only to the basic Appellation Bourgogne Controlee. It is remarkably fresh, bright and crisp; what it is not is complex or rich. Yet it comes from the La Digoine Vineyard of the owner of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, Aubert de Villaine. This helps resolve the apparent contradiction of a nine-year-old wine from an undistinguished vintage still looking so lively. It is made in the estate winery, and derives nothing from the Domaine, other, perhaps, than the same single-minded attention to detail and refusal to accept anything less than the best. Its very simplicity was what I was looking for to accompany a spiced butterflied leg of lamb, and it worked a treat, however unconventional that may seem.
