Description
Domaine de Bellene is the latest instalment in the career of the talented and enterprising Nicolas Potel. Having grown and then sold his original micro-negociant (Maison Nicolas Potel) business in 2003, Potel has gradually been purchasing vineyard holdings to create what is now Domaine de Bellene. At the heart of the domaine are some of the great (and often under-appreciated) vineyards of Beaune, where the domaine boasts holdings in Greve 1er, Clos du Roi 1er, Pertuisots 1er, Teurons 1er and Perrieres 1er. In addition the now legendary Potel skill of knowing where to find great vineyard sites has extended the range to special plots in Savigny, Santenay, St Romain, Nuits St Georges (Villages and Chaignots) and Vosne Romanee (Quartiers and Suchots). All the sites are farmed organically at the least and where possible biodynamic principles are being employed. The vineyards are always based around old vines with an average minimum age of 70+ years and in the case of Greve 104 years old vines cover his small holding.
In the cellar, the wines are made without additions ie no enzymes, acidification, sugar other than nature which produces these fine pinot noir grapes. Letting the vineyard and the season express itself without excessive intervention from the hand of man is central to making wine here. The wines themselves offer an insight into the philosophical leanings of Potel; favouring purity and transparency over extraction, playing on emphasising terroir rather than simple fruit expression. The original penchant for the use of 100% stems has been tempered and now none are used for the lesser appellations, 50% for the mid-range cuvees and 100% for the top wines. Even then the thicker part of the stems is removed.
As part of this ambitious project he has also set about restoring a magnificent 16th century cellar close to the centre of Beaune using eco-principals (reclaimed timber, rain water catchment, hemp insulation etc) and all the wines have been made here since inception.
“Potel is now an old hand in the Côte and it shows as the quality is excellent. Stylistically, if you’ve enjoyed the Potel wines in the past, there is no reason that you would not enjoy either variation of the Bellene wines as they are classic in the best sense of the term. ” BURGHOUND
“These are stylish wines, very pure and caressing on the palate.” Neal Martin, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“Nicolas Potel no longer makes the wines that bear his name, he makes them at Domaine de Bellene and they’re superb.” Jonathan Ray, The Daily Telegraph, UK
About the 2022 vintage … Jasper Morris in his “Inside Burgundy” report called it “Bountiful and Beautiful” .. 2022 is an amazingly consistent vintage … an extremely fine vintage.”
Nicholas Potel has over delivered here in his quest to make quality bourgogne at an affordable price! As ‘natural’ as wine can be, 100% organic and biodynamic from 70+ year old vines! 13.5% alc without any additions. This delightful medium weight rouge cascades red and blue fruit, exotic spice with plenty more complexity and depth for its level. Impressive offering … drinking beautifully now but will cellar for up to 5 years plus if you can resist.
“Outstanding Top Value – Ripe deeply pitched aromas include those of pungent earth, various dark berries and whiff of spice. The delicious, caressing and supple middleweight flavors possess a relatively refined texture for what this is though it contrasts with the slightly rustic finale.” April 2024, Allen Meadows, BURGHOUND.
What an entry into Domaine de Bellene’s range and shows Nicolas Potel yet again as the master craftsman! You will not find a better value bottle of red burgundy! Be quick and snare yourself a case of this bargain!
RRP $85 Our Special Price $59.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine
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