Bastille Day Wines
Champagne Dhondt-Grellet "Les Terres Fines", NV ($50/glass)
This extremely limited blanc de blancs is truly special for those vinous wine-lovers out there. 30% of the wine is from 1987 and goes through a similar solera system used by the famed Champagne Selosse. This is the epitome of a robust Chardonnay that isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you are down for a trip down flavor lane, you have hit the jackpot. Coming from 45 year old vines, there is an incredible balance of nuttiness and dense florals lifted by the fresh orchard fruit and tart citrus. This is a phenomenal Champagne that drinks beautifully on its own, but will also shine brighter when paired with some Délice de Bourgogne cheese. Le Midi only received one case.
Benoit Ente, Bourgogne Blanc, 2022 - ($50/glass)
Benoit Ente, the younger brother of renowned Chardonnay producer Arnaud Ente, is carving out his own phenomenal reputation in the wine world. Since starting his winemaking career in the late 80s and acquiring his own vineyards in 1997, he has been cultivating less than 4 hectares in Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet, and Meursault. Known for his commitment to purity and elegance, he avoids herbicides and chemical fertilizers, favoring a respectful relationship with his vineyards. His winemaking approach has evolved from using new oak and frequent battonage to now focusing on precision, balance, and acidity. This transition has resulted in wines with incredible purity and a dynamic profile, expressing each terroir's uniqueness. Benoit's impressive array of vineyard holdings includes parcels in Chassagne-Montrachet and several 1er Crus in Puligny-Montrachet, underscoring his growing acclaim in the wine community. This Bourgogne Blanc is a blend of his 5 vineyard holdings which allow you to experience his wines at more entry-level pricing than his single-vineyard offerings. Le Midi received only 6 bottles.
Emmanuel Rouget, Savigny-les Beaune, 2021 - ($60/glass)
Domaine Emmanuel Rouget, established in 1985, has quickly achieved legendary status among collectors. Located in Flagey‐Echezeaux, the domaine's vineyards are primarily in Vosne‐Romanée, Vosne‐Romanée 1er Cru, and Echezeaux Grand Cru, with additional holdings in Côtes de Nuits‐Villages, Savigny‐Les-Beaune, and Nuits‐St‐Georges. The history of this esteemed domaine is closely tied to Henri Jayer, Emmanuel's uncle and a legendary vigneron who began transferring his vines to Rouget in 1985. By 2001, all Jayer's vines, including the renowned Cros Parantoux, were under Rouget's control. Since 2011, Emmanuel's sons, Nicolas and Guillaume, have managed the domaine, with Nicolas overseeing the vineyards and Guillaume focusing on winemaking. The Rouget family maintains a philosophy of respect for nature, eschewing pesticides and herbicides in favor of organic treatments. Their winemaking process, inspired by Jayer, involves destemming the grapes, fermenting in concrete vats, and aging the wine for over 20 months in barrels. Rouget’s Savigny-les-Beaune is a great way to try wines from this iconic winemaker. Le Midi only received three bottles.
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