DBM Fine Wines

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We discovered these wines relatively recently and were immediately excited by their quality. Marco Sartori is a driven young man. In a few short years he has gone from making his first vintage to becoming one of the hottest new talents in the region. All the wines produced by this modern new winery are world-class. Marco’s philosophy is very simple; reduce the yield in the vineyard to 1kg per vine and you obtain fabulous fruit concentration.

Tasting Notes

This is a superb Barolo in a bright modern style. The Baudana has a sweet, ripe nose with hints of violet. While on the palate the concentration builds and builds. Serious yet with purity and clarity. 93 points on Wine Advocate: “The 2007 Barolo Baudana is deep, powerful and muscular to the core. Dark fruit, flowers, spices, menthol and minerals saturate the palate in this big, dramatic Barolo. The Baudana is bursting with sheer personality. “

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We first purchased Luigi Baudana’s wine in 2004 and have followed developments at the estate with a keen interest. Since then the Vajra family have become ever more involved. The style is changing, albeit ever so subtly, as Guiseppe Vajra and his father Aldo, who converted their consultancy arrangement into an outright purchase in 2008, have brought a polish and added finesse to what were already superb wines. Baudana Barolos are starting to receive the critical attention we believe they deserve. The 2007s are extravagantly wonderful—pure, subtle, elegant and very drinkable.

Tasting Notes

90 Points, Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "2000 Barolo—Medium ruby. The 2000 Barolo is less expressive and nuanced than the 1999, but it is an attractive wine offering notes of smoke, earthiness and sweet red fruit on a medium-bodied frame, with good length, soft, silky tannins and a more opulent, richer personality than the 1999. An Azienda Agricola Falletto di Bruno Giacosa bottling. 90/drink after 2008, 03/06."

Tasting Notes

Lovely colour. The nose is currently closed but the palate is beautifully silky and intense. Lovely finish here with very fine tannins. Excellent value! (AB/SM)

89-91 Points, Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "The 2010 Beaune Les Cent Vignes flows across the palate with gorgeous layers of dark red fruit, menthol, tar, licorice and sweet spices. It boasts considerable depth and richness to match its clean, layered finish. This is a terrific showing. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025."

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Finding value in Burgundy is always a stretch but here we have found an absolute gem. Francois Bitouzet has taken over gradually from his father and since 2005-8 has invested in a new cellar which is yielding great results. There is an energy and passion in his aspiration which translates into the energy and flavour in his wines. These are not overly powerful but they have wonderful flavour and balance. We believe this is an estate to watch and is a perfect example of the new generation making considered investments with outstanding results. These wines offer superb value.

Tasting Notes

This is showing elegant, spicy, sousbois aromas and creamy, well-managed tannins. Graceful and lovely flavour. (AB/SM)

91 Points, Allen Meadows (Burghound): "A ripe and highly complex nose of floral, earth, spice and discreet wood notes all add breadth to the very fresh dark berry fruit aromas. There is good volume to the lush, round and intense medium-bodied flavors that possess a moderately firm tannic spine as well as excellent depth and length. This should require 6 to 9 years of cellar time but be more than capable of holding for years to come. 2017+. Comments: Outstanding."

Vintage Description

It was a great pleasure to be greeted by Frédéric Drouhin on the occasion of our visit and to taste through the graceful wines of this distinguished négociant. The cellars are in the medieval part of Beaune and the three of us sat around a barrel table tasting cask samples of some of the greatest appellations of the whole of Burgundy. It was an emotive tasting room. The cellar had been a medieval kitchen for the Kings of France and set into the wall is a steel door through which Frédéric’s grandfather es-caped the Gestapo in WWII. The nuns of the Hospices de Beaune gave him shelter and his family remained unaware that he had survived until 12 months after his disappearance. In appreciation for the kindness of the nuns he gave 2.69 hectares of Beaune 1er Cru vineyard to the Hospices plus a day’s work per week to assist with their affairs for the rest of his life. Hence cuvée Mau-rice Drouhin at the Hospices de Beaune auction. Relationships run long and deep in Burgundy!

Tasting Notes

Nose shows open, fully ripened Pinot Noir aromas, the palate being dense, with rich fruit character, and mouth-coating fleshiness. Ripe tannins are present, but show no bitterness. Texture is satisfyingly well-rounded, the aftertaste being rich and long - Tasting note from Anthony Hanson MW

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In 1645, Antoine Rousseau and Barbe Deslandes founded the Hopital de la Sainte-Trinite, later known as the Hospice de la Charite and it was joined to the Hotel–Dieu to form the Hospices de Beaune at the time of the Revolution. Its role has evolved over time, initially it welcomed orphans after plague epidemics; today it is an old people’s home.

The fruit for this cuvee come from two 1er Cru vineyards - Les Cent Vignes, from vines planted between 1944 and 1958 (1.06ha), and Les Montrevenots (0.71ha), close to Pommard, with all vines planted prior to 1966.

Tasting Notes

Wonderful nose. Soft, full, silky, strawberry fruit with a touch of mocha. Very drinkable. (AB/SM/AI)

Vintage Description

The investment continues here. There are now two sorting tables at reception and smaller vats in order to produce a greater number of individual parcels, even if just one barrel’s worth. Bernard Repolt was in top form—a most enjoyable visit!

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Remoissenet is one of the grand old names of Burgundy. Significant changes are underfoot since a change of ownership in 2005. Under the enormously engaging and entertaining management of Bernard Repolt, formerly at Jadot, the wines have entered a new stage. Significant Investment in modern winemaking equipment and the introduction of a new winemaker, Claudie Jobard, whose mother Laurence had an extremely successful 20 years at Drouhin, has brought new energy and focus to the business.

Tasting Notes

As usual the white burgundy Tuféra cuvée is from two parcels of vines situated just below the Puligny Montrachet AOC. The harvest was done between the 23 and 29 September 2010. Unusually for this wine, this vintage was vinified and aged exclusively in oak barrels of 2, 3 and 4 years of age. (Normal practice is for it to be aged 2/3rds in vat and 1/3rd in aged oak barrels.) This wine shines with an excellent balance and a wonderful aromatic purity. The harvest was relatively small which gives the wine even greater concentration.

Vintage Description

Our first allocation of this mini-Puligny. Two parcels of vineyards: the first 30 years old on the Meursault side of the village, the other 50 years old on the Chassagne side, vinified separately prior to blending and bottling. A very slow malolactic in 2010 has left the wine with delicious crisp freshness. Lemony nose and white flowers, the palate has beautiful texture but is closed at present. Give this another 12 months and watch it blossom over the next three to four years. Will outshine many lesser Pulignys in a blind tasting! (AB/SM)

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Sauzet is one of the great names of Burgundy and such is the demand for their wine that it takes time to receive an allocation. The estate has been on spectacular form in recent vintages and we are delighted to be able to offer their wines. Visiting Sauzet is like visiting the holy grail of Puligny Montrachet. Gérard Boudot’s reputation is formidable but as we spend more time with him the more we relax and the more we are able to benefit from his huge knowledge of the appellation. The prices that we have to ask for these wines reflects the global demand and recognition of the estate. Such is the standard of viticulture and winemaking here, that his villages wines can outperform many producers’ 1ers Crus for finesse and flavour. These are guaranteed pleasure in a bottle and particularly in such a fine vintage.

Tasting Notes

87 Points, Allen Meadows (Burghound): "An earthy and notably ripe dark berry fruit nose leads to mildly rustic middle weight flavors that possess good punch and unusually good finishing depth and length. This is an excellent Bourgogne and recommended. Comments: Outstanding, Top Value."

Voillot's Bourgogne is produced from a parcel of old vines located near to Volnay.

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This domaine remains below the radar yet is consistently one of the highlights of our trip to Burgundy. These are wines of intense purity and finesse with no shortage of lush fruit and should be staples in all Burgundy lovers’ cellars, particularly those who like to pull corks within five years of vintage.

Tasting Notes

Relatively pale in colour with crunchy red fruits. Light touch here, this is elegant and pretty with vivid intensity. (AB/SM/AI)

Vintage Description

Etienne is one of the most considered winemakers we meet on our visits. He has been seeking ever-finer tannins and a silkier edge in recent years and one can witness this in the development of the wines which always retain an ability to age gracefully. This is a premier division producer whose quality remains of the highest order. His winemaking philosophy is to pick early rather than late to retain freshness.

Tasting Notes

Another huge favourite of ours from the many wines we tasted for this offer. This is a very complete wine with an intense, savoury nose and mouthwatering, opulent, silky fruit on the palate which builds and builds on the finish. Very highly recommended. 93 points on Wine Advocate: “The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino is rich, deep and resonant. It shows fabulous depth and richness, with seemingly endless layers of fruit that caress the palate. Dark red cherries, savory herbs, tobacco and licorice linger on the textured, creamy finish. This is another terrific effort from Argiano.”

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At the summit of a wonderful hill south-west of Montalcino the magnificent Villa of Argiano was built in the Renaissance by the Peccis, a noble family from Siena. In 1992, it was acquired by the Countess Noemi Marone Cinzano. With over 100 hectares the rows of vines alternate with olive groves and meadows surrounded by luxuriant Mediterranean maquis. Winemaker, Hans Vinding-Diers as well as being the partner of the Countess also comes from an illustrious winemaking family, training in Bordeaux at his father Peter’s estate along with his cousin Peter Sisseck of Dominio de Pingus.

Tasting Notes

90 Points, Robert Parker: "The most serious wine of this trio is the 2009 Cote Rotie Cote Brune. It boasts a dark plum/garnet color along with sweet, gamey notes of smoked duck, charcuterie, black raspberries, kirsch, fruitcake, and a spicy, peppery, foresty character. This round, tasty, silky textured 2009 should be drunk over the next 7-8 years."

Dark ruby/purple colour - the richest of the three cuvées with a dark nose of deep black fruits, black pepper and liquorice. Peppery and toasty on the palate with dense, grippy tannins, fresh acidity and a long, smoky finish. A majestic effort, likely to be a great wine with excellent potential for extended cellaring. (AI)

Tasting Notes

89-91 Points, Robert Parker: "This is a solid, muscular, dense plum-colored wine with earthy cassis aromas as well as flavors. Medium to full-bodied, tannic and fresh, with a crisp profile, this husky Pauillac will require time. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2030."

90-92 Points, Neal Martin (Wine Advocate):"This year, the 2011 is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon (the highest ever), 11% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc cropped at 38hl/ha between 14th and 26th September. During the growing season they had to undertake two green harvests and also sorted the crop twice. The nose is reticent at first and demands coaxing from the glass. It eventually reveals blackberry, cedar, a touch of oyster shell and just a very faint hint of orange blossom. It is nicely composed, although it does not have the bravura penetration of the 2010 or 2009. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins on the entry. It demonstrates fine weight and cohesion, good substance and depth of fruit whilst the finish is a little sinewy with touches of spice inflecting the blackberry and briary fruit. Fine and unashamedly very classic, as one would expect for Batailley. Tasted April 2012."

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Located south of Pauillac, Château Batailley is one of the oldest estates in the Médoc. Its name comes from the French word for battle, and reminds us that a fight took place on this site between French troops trying to capture the Latour fortress from the English during the Hundred Years’War (15th century). Batailley’s vines are situated on a gravelly plateau that descends towards the Gironde. The superb soil has excellent natural drainage ideally suited to the estate’s combination of premium grape varieties.The wines are well-structured with ripe tannin and a typical blackcurrant bouquet of Cabernet Sauvignon at its best. Belonging to the Castéja family, the vines are tended with the greatest of care and the wine is made in cellars with the latest equipment.This technological capacity perfectly complements a first-class terroir fully worth of its classification as a great growth in the 1855 classification.

Tasting Notes

90 Points, Robert Parker: "Wood spice, earth, black currant and sweet cherry characteristics are found in this elegant, medium to full-bodied, surprisingly rich, well-textured effort. From the bottle, it confirms the high quality I noted two years ago from barrel. More forward than usual for Batailley, it is a dark plum-hued wine that requires 2-4 years of bottle age, but should easily last 15+ years."

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Located south of Pauillac, Château Batailley is one of the oldest estates in the Médoc. Its name comes from the French word for battle, and reminds us that a fight took place on this site between French troops trying to capture the Latour fortress from the English during the Hundred Years’War (15th century). Batailley’s vines are situated on a gravelly plateau that descends towards the Gironde. The superb soil has excellent natural drainage ideally suited to the estate’s combination of premium grape varieties.The wines are well-structured with ripe tannin and a typical blackcurrant bouquet of Cabernet Sauvignon at its best. Belonging to the Castéja family, the vines are tended with the greatest of care and the wine is made in cellars with the latest equipment.This technological capacity perfectly complements a first-class terroir fully worth of its classification as a great growth in the 1855 classification.

Tasting Notes

Always well-mannered and very good value. Very chocolaty palate, quite dry finish but tannins are ripe and this will surely flesh up.

Vintage Description

Very chocolaty palate, quite dry finish but tannins are ripe

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Beau-Site means beautiful site: Chateau Beau-Site, neighbour to Chateau Calon-Ségur, lies on one of Médoc’s highest points, and one has a fantastic view over the river Gironde. Beau-Site's 18th century underground cellar is one of the oldest in the Médoc and presents the perfect maturing conditions for a wine that is vinified with the same care and technique as a Grand Cru Classé.

Tasting Notes

"A medium-bodied, pleasant, lighter style of St.-Julien, the 2011 Beychevelle reveals a dark plum/ruby color in addition to notes of strawberries, black cherries, new saddle leather and hints of herbs and earth. Refreshing and delicate, it should drink well for 10-15 years." Neal Martin. Wine Advocate.

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Under Henri III, Beychevelle was the fief of the Dukes of Epernon, particularly the first of them: Jean-Louis Nogaret de la Valette. This Admiral and Governor of Guyenne was all-powerful; according to legend, the boats that passed before his Château had to lower their sails as a sign of allegiance. Hence the name "Baisse-Voile" (lowering of sails), which was to become Beychevelle, and the emblem of the Château, the ship with a prow in the shape of a griffin guarding Dionysus' cellar. Today Byechevelle is owned by Grands Millésimes de France (AZUR-GMF and Suntory groups).

90 hectares are planted up with 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot,
5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot

Tasting Notes

94 Points, Robert Parker: "For opulence, decadence, and sexiness, this 2005 is hard to resist. One of the vintage’s most flamboyant efforts, it is a gorgeous blend of 55% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. With a stunningly exotic nose of espresso roast, a juicy meat and herb concoction, spice box, chocolate, incense, and copious quantities of sweet, ripe black cherry and blackberry fruit, this full-throttle St.-Emilion exhibits good structure (because of the vintage’s sound acid levels) and high, but velvety tannin. It is a brilliant effort from proprietor Stephan von Neipperg. I would not discount its aging potential as the 1990, which I thought would have a short aging curve, is still going strong at age 18. The 2005 should easily last 20-25 years. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2030."

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Château Canon-la-Gaffelière (formerly La Gaffelière-Boitard), has been recognised for centuries as one of the finest growths in Saint-Emilion. Count von Neipperg, scion of a family with eight centuries of winegrowing tradition, bought this estate in 1971. His son Stephan is currently in charge of managing the estate. A renaissance has since occurred at Canon-la-Gaffelière after several years of major efforts involving large-scale investments. All of this has been done with an indepth understanding of the special nature of the soil. The wine is made in an ultra-modern vat room with wooden fermenting vats.
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Tasting Notes

Deep dark purple colour. Cool, classy nose with hints of violets and dark chocolate. Fine silky tannins. Good value earlier drinking Haut Médoc.

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Located in the village of Cissac between St Estephe and Pauillac, Louis Vialard took over Château Cissac in 1940, dedicating himself to the property and its vineyards. Louis has now left the hard work to his talented daughter Danielle, inheriting the wine making traits of her ancestors, keeping the wine traditional but with a more modern apporach and Marie, his grand daughter is closely following in her Aunt's foosteps.

Tasting Notes

Unfortunately we did not get the time to taste Cissac this time round, but we have included it here as a reminder as it has such a following in the UK. (AB/SM Apr 2010)

89 Points, Neal Martin (Wine Advocate): "Tasted at the Cru Bourgeois 2009 tasting in London. The Cissac 2009 has a ripe, lifted bouquet that develops some fine floral notes with time: black cherries, cassis and a little cedar, but all remaining tight. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins: fresh and vigorous with a pure, sappy finish of blueberry and cassis underpinned by a citric thread of acidity. Nice length and composure. Tasted September 2011."

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Located in the village of Cissac between St Estephe and Pauillac, Louis Vialard took over Château Cissac in 1940, dedicating himself to the property and its vineyards. Louis has now left the hard work to his talented daughter Danielle, inheriting the wine making traits of her ancestors, keeping the wine traditional but with a more modern apporach and Marie, his grand daughter is closely following in her Aunt's foosteps.

Tasting Notes

17.5/20 Jancis Robinson MW: Very very pale pink of a salmonish nature. This actually smells like a red wine. More Grenache than anything else. Broad and rich but with more acidity plus smoothness and delicacy than a red Grenache would have. Demands attention and is very long. Impressive food wine.

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Chateau d'Esclans is found nestled in the depths of Provence about half an hour north of St Tropez. Owned by Sacha Lichine who re-located here from Bordeaux with an ambition to create the greatest Rosé in the world - an aim that he is well on the way to fulfilling!

Tasting Notes

89 Points, Robert Parker: "A dense plum/purple color is followed by a supple, evolved, medium-bodied wine revealing an elegant bouquet of red and black currants, charcoal, toast and earth. Enjoy this impressive 2008 over the next 12-15 years."

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Château d’Armailhac, a close neighbor of Château Mouton Rothschild, has 50 hectares of vines at Pauillac surrounding the superb grounds of the main house, planted with the typical varieties of the region: Cabernet Sauvignon (57%), Merlot (21%), Cabernet Franc (20%) and Petit Verdot (2%). The estate, in the d’Armailhac family since the 18th century and named Château Mouton d’Armailhac after them, was acquired by Baron Philippe in 1933. Between 1956 and 1989, it was called successively Château Mouton Baron Philippe then Château Mouton Baroness Philippe. Since 1989, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild has restored part of its original identity. The wine, aged in oak barrels, combines finesse and elegance with powerful, well-structure tannins. The Château d’Armailhac label is illustrated with a little figure of Bacchus made of spun glass (Nevers, 18th century) from the Museum of Wine in Art at Château Mouton Rothschild. ©Conseil des Vins du Medoc

Tasting Notes

"The Doisy-Vedrines has a refined bouquet of lemon curd, dried honey and just a touch of quince, perhaps not quite as rich as recent vintages, but very well-defined. The palate is well-balanced, with a touch of lime cordial and passion fruit on the entry, and zesty acidity and impressive precision towards the taut, slightly spicy rich finish." Robert Parker: 91-93

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The Chevaliers de Védrines owned this château for centuries, and gave it their name. The estate was acquired by the ancestors of the current owners in the mid 19th century. Doisy-Védrines is located on a clay-limestone outcrop in Haut-Barsac. The soil is cultivated in the traditional manner and the grapes are very carefully picked in several waves. They are lightly pressed to extract only the best juice.The wine is aged in oak barrels and a combination of modern techniques and age-old winemaking practices give Doisy-Védrines the richness and finesse consumers look for in the finest Sauternes great growths. In certain years, the quality does not live up to the château's strict standards and the wine is not sold under the Doisy-Védrines label.
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Tasting Notes

"Quite toasty and developed on the nose. Forward and easy – perhaps not the most ambitious but a nicely balanced drink with just a hint of dark chocolate."
Jancis Robinson: 17