Burgundy is a very special place in many respects. But one thing I have always found interesting is how certain vineyards and producers fade in and out of favor over time. At least this has been true for the 40 some years that I have been drinking and visiting Burgundy. A case in point is the Domaine Albert Grivault in Meursault. This Domaine dates back to 1879 when Albert Grivault was able to buy the property. It consisted of the monopole (sole owner) vineyard Clos des Perrières as well as a portion of Les Perrières and other vineyards in the area of Meursault.
There are no Grand Cru Vineyards in Meursault, but the Clos des Perrières and Les Perrières are rated Premier Cru and generally acknowledged as the best vineyards in Meursault. I remember many years ago when Lalou Bize Leroy told me that she felt Les Perrières should be a Grand Cru and that the Clos des Perrières was the best property in Meursault. Shortly after that my friends and I were able to arrange a visit and taste the wines. We felt the wines were good, but nothing really exceptional in terms of the best Meursault producers.
However, in recent years, I have begun to notice an improvement in the wines. Last year I was very impressed with the 2009 Clos des Perrières. And, now I have tasted the range of the 2010 Albert Grivault white wines and I am even more impressed. Under the leadership of Michel Bardet and his sister Claire, who are the grandchildren of Albert Grivault, there has been a big step up in quality at this Domaine.
The French wine magazine, Bourgogne Aujord’hui, recently conducted a survey of several top French wine reviewers in order to determine what was felt to be the best of the white Premier Crus. The winner was the Clos des Perrières. Although, I have never tasted a really old bottle of Clos des Perrières (the oldest for me is 1979), reportedly the wine can age for a very long period with bottles back into the 1800s still sound.
All of the Domaine’s 15 acres of vineyards are contiguous and Michel is currently involved in trying to get the Bourgogne Blanc elevated to Meursault and the Clos des Perrières elevated to Grand Cru. The Bourgogne vineyard is in the same Clos where the Meursault comes from at the back of the domaine. The front is Meursault and the back part, closer to the hills, is Bourgogne. But, both parcels are within the original Clos. Given the history and location of the vineyards, it seems like the elevations may have a very good chance of succeeding. Perhaps all of the Perrières vineyard should be upgraded? But, in the case of the Clos des Perrières, the vineyard has the same orientation as Montrachet and the soils in the Clos des Perrières have a higher proportion of minerals and stones than the rest of the Perrières vineyard. So we shall see what evolves over time.
However, for now, the Albert Grivault wines are still not a price level that they would be should the vineyards be upgraded. So that makes them a bit under the radar and relative bargains. These 2010 Albert Grivault White Burgundies are wines to buy! The wines of Albert Grivault are imported by Atherton Wine Imports, Atherton CA.
2010 Albert Grivault Bourgogne Blanc.
This is a very pure, stylistic wine with great complexity and finesse. It is amazing for a Bourgogne, but as mentioned above, it may one day be a Meursault. For now it is a great buy. Light yellow in color the wine has a lovely floral citrus perfume with a tinge of pineapple. It has great style and finesse with lovely floral, citrus, mineral tinged flavors accented by faint hints of pineapple and has a lovely, crisp finish. This is irresistibly delicious – Outstanding. $27 Best Buy
2010 Albert Grivault Meursault.
Light yellow in color this Meursault has a light yellow color and a mineral tinged citrus perfume with hints of roasted hazelnuts. It is flavorful, rounded and supple with citrus, mineral nuances and hints of pineapple and roasted hazelnuts. Crisp with and citrus mineral tinge on the finish this is a really lovely Meursault – Outstanding. $45
2010 Albert Grivault Meursault Perrieres.
This is a gorgeous wine with great purity and style. It is light yellow in color and has a gorgeous floral perfume with hints of mineral and citrus and a faint kiss of spice. It is very elegant and has lots of flavor and finesse. Flavors of white peach and citrus are accented by floral nuances and there is a crisp underlying minerality on the finish. This should age beautifully – Outstanding Plus. $80
2010 Albert Grivault Clos des Perrieres.
This is a great wine in the making. All it needs is time. The color is light yellow and there is a great mineral tinged perfume with floral citrus nuances. Racy and structured with lots of minerality, this is a wine with lots of intensity that is very long on the finish. Just now it needs decanting before drinking to begin to open. Patience is required here, but the rewards should be well worth it – Outstanding/Exceptional Potential. $99
In Vino Veritas,
John Tilson
6 comments for “DOMAINE ALBERT GRIVAULT”
I have few cases left, visit http://www.classewines.com to buy!
Hi George,
I’m sure they are sold by now!
In Vino Veritas,
John
ha! i used to know the full story on things. Now i only know half the story…like LAmbrays’ clos but not remembering that it was puligny caillerets. good thing i have the Underground to keep me straight!! i hope to be in LA the week of Feb 18. Lets be sure to get out with jpb.
Thanks Wes,
It’s tough keeping on top of everything. But, that’s part of the fun. Let’s see what we can do when you are here.
In Vino Veritas,
John
i purchased this wine based on your recommendation. i have had older vintages of this and have had a great experience with the wine. what other domaines make a clos des perrieres beside Lambrays?
Hi Wes,
Good man! I also purchased the wines on my recommendation! I have always enjoyed eating my own cooking, so to speak! I have a 1979 Clos des Perrieres that I am going to drink soon. I have not had an old one in many years. Maybe I will precede it with a bottle of the Bourgogne. The 2010 is simply remarkable and, for me, at a level of the always great J.F. Coche-Dury Bourgogne!
Clos des Perrieres is solely owned by Albert Grivault. It is a monopole. The Lambrays white is a Puligny Montrachet Clos de Caillerets.
Are you going to be out this way anytime soon?
In Vino Veritas,
John