I ordered 2 bottles of 2002 Vincent Girardin Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Les Serpentières pre-order from Vinfolio a few weeks ago, unfortunately I was just told they had a glitch with their inventory system and these bottles are actually not available. They’re kindly offering to substitute other wines, which I know nothing about, so thought I’d solicit your collective advice on whether these are interesting wines or not:
2002 Alain Michelot - Nuits St Georges Les Porets St Georges 1er Cru
2002 Thibault Liger-Belair - Nuits St Georges Les Charmottes
Alternatively I’m open to asking for another wine or wines they have in stock if any of you Burg experts feels like perusing their selection. My criteria are relatively affordable (the Serpentieres were $50, the alternatives they offered are $75 and $60 respectively) and ideally ready to drink with a bit of age on it (which is why I was looking for 2002’s).
Are they offering to trade straight up or do you have to pay the difference for the more expensive bottles? Either way, I think you’re the winner here. The two alternatives would be my choice over the Girardin. As far as drinkability, I’ve not had enough '02’s to say for certain, but you might be better off looking at the '07’s. Many of these are drinking beautifully right now and can be found readily at retail and elsewhere for decent prices.
The trade would be straight up on either of those 2 wines, classy move on Vinfolio’s part.
I’ve only started exploring Burgundy from 2010 onwards, and am only modestly dipping my toes in Burgundy with age. 2002 was my choice in part due to comments in this thread: Out-priced in a heated Burgundy market. What do you do? - WINE TALK - WineBerserkers
Quick browse of vinfolio’s stock, not a lot of '07’s but the Chateau de Chorey would be of interest. Good producer, I visited a few years back. Also I wonder about that '00 Jadot CSJ. This is another vintage that is drinking well if you choose wisely.
Rama, I’ve not had the 2002 Thibault Liger-Belair but I’ve had others of his wines and really like them. In my experience, 2002 red Burgundies of this level are starting to drink well. This wine is typically quite a powerful, structured Villages wine but, 12 years after vintage, I’d hope would be accessible soon. It’s the one I’d go for.
Thank you Rick and Howard.
Two good choices, I think. Why not get one of both?
Any comments on the style of A Michelot? Thinking of buying few bottles.
Though I have read here and in private emails by Rob Panzer, who sells the wines, that things have changed Chez Michelot in very recent years, my impression of their wines for the longest time, and after visiting is that they overcropped. Their higher yields resulted in wines that lacked the concentration of the Chevillons/Patrice Rion/Mugnerets and other top flight Nuits estates’ Nuits. (Can’t compare to Gouges, as they are a separate “case”.)
FWIW.
I have not had either wine but both are solid producers.
My recent experiences with 2002s has been very positive. In the last few months I have had a wonderful PV Les Vergelesses from Chandon de Briailles and a Clos de la Roche from Truchot that both were tasting wonderful. The Truchot was one of my top wines of the year.
Had a NSG Poret 1986 from Michelot 1 year ago (in magnum).
Style is quite classical, even a bit light for NSG (would have guessed Gevrey) but definitively a bright and under the radar exemple of Traditional subtlety from Cote de Nuit.
Given how youthful was the 1986, I would not try the 2002 before another 10 years (and other 1986 magnum quietly sleeping as well).
In any case, Vinfolio’s proposal (Michelot or Liger Belair) is very generous IMHO.
I am buying 2012 vintage of Michelot. So more interested in their recent style ( if it has undergone a change).