Ballot Millot is a Domaine that I have known for a long time. But, I lost track of it until it appeared on the West Coast a number of years ago through Atherton Wine Imports. Since the 2006 vintage I have been buying the wines and writing articles (to read my most recent article on the 2013s which also has links to other articles that include background information and a history of the Domaine as well as information on the vineyards click here). And, here is what I have said in the past about the wines from this domaine:
If you value finesse and elegance in White and Red Burgundy as I do, then these are wines for you. I have been buying them, cellaring them, and drinking them for several years now. I buy them each year and it is always a pleasure to drink them young or with several years additional bottle age. They are consistently beautifully made wines that are made from grapes grown on old vines. And, I would repeat the advice that I often give when people ask which wines they should buy: My advice to all of you who are buying and cellaring wine is that when you find something you really like, buy it every year. Forget about vintages and forget about numbers. If you buy what you like, you can watch the evolution over time and I think you will be well rewarded. And, just for the record, I eat my own cooking. This is the program I have followed for a lot of wines and especially Burgundies for decades….
The 2014 Domaine Ballot Millots are now here and they are again beautiful wines that will age effortlessly for many years into the future.
In the past few months I have been drinking some of my older white Domaine Ballot Millot’s dating back to 2006. They are lovely and showing no sign of decline. Recently I enjoyed a 2006 Ballot Millot Meursault Perrières and a 2010 Ballot Millot Meursault Perrières.
The 2006 was fully mature, delicious and great to drink now. But, it also gives every indication that it should age gracefully for many more years. The 2010 is developing nicely and also lovely to drink now with many years of life ahead. It is perhaps a bit like the 2014, although the 2014 may take a bit more time to evolve. Also, some of the older Domaine Ballot Millot Red Burgundies are showing beautifully now especially the 2007s and 2009s.
Below are my tasting notes on the 2014 Domaine Ballot Millot wines:
WHITE WINES
2014 Domaine Ballot Millot & Fils Bourgogne
Always a lovely Bourgogne, this 2014 is true to form. It has a pale yellow color and lovely floral perfume with a mineral nuance and a touch of citrus. On the palate the wine is very elegant with very pure citrus tinged fruit and is balanced with a very nice underlying crispness – Highly Recommended. $30
2014 Domaine Ballot Millot & Fils Meursault Blanc
This is a really lovely Meursault. It has a light yellow color and a lovely floral perfume with hints of peach and citrus. Rounded with lots of fruit showing peach and citrus accents this Meursault is flavorful and beautifully balanced with a nice crispness – Outstanding. $53
2014 Domaine Ballot Millot & Fils Meursault Les Criots
Light yellow in color, this wine has a floral perfume accented by faint hints of mineral and citrus. With great elegance and balance the wine is flavorful with lots of citrus tinged fruit and shows a bright underlying crispness – Outstanding. $56
2014 Domaine Ballot Millot & Fils Meursault Les Narvaux
Light yellow in color with a faint golden hue this wine shows a lovely floral perfume with faint hints of peach and a kiss of spice. With very pure fruit the wine is rounded and shows complexity and depth accented by a nice crispness on the finish – Outstanding. $60
2014 Domaine Ballot Millot & Fils Chassagne Montrachet Morgeot Tête de Clos 1er Cru
This is a really delicious White Burgundy with lots of charm and appeal. It has a light yellow color and shows a gorgeous floral perfume with hints of lemon lime, peach, and touch of spice. Very elegant and finesseful the wine is impeccably balanced with gorgeous floral tinged fruit and a nice underlying crispness – Outstanding Plus. $87
The three 2014 Domaine Ballot Millot & Fils 1er Cru Meursaults are all gorgeous wines with subtle differences. It will be interesting to see the complexities in each develop over time. As is the usual case, just now the Charmes is the most open and the Perrières the most closed. The Genevrières is in between and a wine with great balance and style.
2014 Domaine Ballot Millot & Fils Meursault Charmes 1er Cru
This Meursault Charmes is light yellow in color with a gorgeous perfume showing floral notes accented by citrus and mineral nuances. It has lovely supple very pure fruit with floral citrus undertones. Very elegant and beautifully balanced the wine has depth and richness with a subtle underlying crispness – Outstanding Plus. $104
2014 Domaine Ballot Millot & Fils Meursault Genevrières 1er Cru
Light yellow in color, this Genevrières is a very harmonious wine with great balance. It has a lovely perfume with floral citrus notes. On the palate, the wine is structured yet refined with flavor and finesse. There is no question that this Genevrières is drinking beautifully now, but with additional age it should really blossom – Outstanding Plus. $108
2014 Domaine Ballot Millot & Fils Meursault Perrières 1er Cru
Light yellow in color, this Perrières has a lovely perfume with mineral, citrus, and floral nuances. It has lots of intensity and tension yet has the underlying fruit to bring everything into balance. It is a seamless wine with a subtle underlying acidity that shows through on the finish. It can be enjoyed now with decanting, but will not begin to hit its stride for 5-10 years and keep well beyond – Outstanding Plus. $119
RED WINES
2014 Domaine Ballot Millot & Fils Pommard Pézerolles 1er Cru
With a deep color this Pommard Pézerolles has a lovely floral berry perfume with a faint exotic tinge. It is flavorful and rounded with lots of fruit and has a firm underlying structure. Just now it is a bit restrained, but the wine is balanced and should become more expressive and complex with 5-10 years additional bottle age – Outstanding/Outstanding Plus Potential. $69
2014 Domaine Ballot Millot & Fils Volnay Santenots 1er Cru
With a deep color this Volnay Santenots has a lot of early appeal and charm. The perfume shows floral cherry nuances with a kiss of spice and on the palate there is lots of supple cherry tinged fruit. Harmonious and beautifully balanced the wine is lovely now. However, with additional bottle age, it will become more silky and complex and should age gracefully for many years – Outstanding. $60
2014 Domaine Ballot Millot & Fils Volnay Taillepieds 1er Cru
With a deep color and slowing a lovely floral berry perfume, this Volnay Taillepieds has very bright cherry tinged fruit and is flavorful, yet initially it is a bit closed. Open for a few days and then decanted the wine began to open. There is plenty of fruit and the structure and balance to warrant many years of bottle aging. Lay this one away and try again in 5 or more years – Outstanding Plus Potential. $65
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