Good luck finding a better Red Burgundy value than the one from Domaine Felix, the same estate that makes that wonderful Sauvignon Blanc you all have loved. From vineyards just west of Chablis, this Pinot Noir packs some serious depth of flavor, body, and intensity, especially for a wine coming from so far north in Burgundy.
Typically, Pinots from the Cotes d'Auxerre are light, bright, and fairly one dimensional, no doubt due to the cooler aspect of this northerly AOC. That is not the case with this wine though, far from it! The hot and dry 2018 vintage yielded a deeply-colored, boldly-fruited, beautifully complex Red Burgundy, and it's one of the top deals of its type I'll present to you this year. With cooler fall weather upon us, this is a perfect candidate for a crisp fall night and a big bowl of beef stew.
2018 Domaine Felix Bourgogne Cotes d'Auxerre Rouge
Rich, bold, and sumptuous Red Burgundy at a great price!
ORDER NOW in our online store.
From one of the oldest producers of the region, Herve Felix and his family run a small estate, and I am a big fan of all of the wines the produce. Founded by Herve's ancestors in 1690, the estate has passed down from generation to generation for over 300 years. Let's just say they know a thing or two about the land, the grapes, and how to best express both in their wines.
This wine is a complete anomaly, and when my sales rep pulled it out of her bag to sample, I was not expecting much. Most of my experiences with Pinot Noirs grown near Chablis have been pretty lukewarm, to say the least. These are often wines marked by light body, very high acidity, and sour and tart red fruit notes. I can appreciate them on a hot day with a slight chill, but it's not summer any more, and I'm thirsting for grander and more ample red wines. Domaine Felix's 2018 Pinot Noir is exactly that!
Produced from 30 to 40 year old vines grown in limestone-rich soils, this is fermented in stainless steel, then aged in older French oak for 18-24 months before bottling. This extended aging adds an incredible polish and silkiness to the rich Pinot fruit that is abundant in this wine. Soaring notes of dark cherry, currant, raspberry, spice, and mineral all make an appearance in the bouquet. This leads into a dense and concentrated palate that is balanced, packed with flavor, and long on the finish.
Red Burgundy of this quality rarely sells for less than $40, but I know an incredible value when I taste one, and this stuff is sublime. I recommend decanting it for a good hour or two before enjoying. That will give it time to come together and truly show it's "stuff." With aggressive deal pricing in place, this will be gone in no time.
ORDER NOW in our online store.
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville