I recently tried a terrific red Burgundy that is a wine
that you won’t want to miss out on. The Domaine Bart 2012 Marsannay “Champs
Solomon” is a single vineyard wine that according to Pierre Bart may be
upgraded to premier cru in the not too distant future. As it is, the site is
one of the top vineyards in Marsannay and Bart is a top producer there, which
combined with the small but high quality vintage of 2012 makes for a very nice
bottle indeed.
The deep ruby red wine has a nose
of flowers, berries and the telltale signs of the 25% new oak that this cuvee
receives. On the palate the wine is medium-bodied with excellent grip (the
combination of tannins and acidity that provide structure). There are plenty of
subtle berry flavors along with a nice earthy note.
I drank the wine with some medium
rare hanger steaks and after the food was finished, the smokey, earthy notes
and tannic structure came to the forefront, suggesting that this wine will work
nicely for mid-term aging. Burghound, aka Allen Meadows, one of the top if not
the top Burgundy critics, calls this wine an “outstanding top value,” although
he suggests holding the wine until 2019.
However, it will certainly be all
gone from stores by then! And you don’t have to wait four years to uncork this
beauty. See for yourself – a taste of a top Burgundian terroir is yours for the
astonishing price of… $26.99!
-Christian
Botta
