As I am sure most of the Burg followers must be aware, Potel’s new winery is Domaine de Bellene with the negotiant side being Maison Roche de Bellene. I am curious if anyone has seen their wines available in the US market yet. According to Nicolas, their US distribution is handled by LOOSEN Bros, USA LTD.
I think the deal with Loosen Bros. was just recently struck. It may be a little early to expect them here.
We have the 2008 Bourgogne Rouge here in Canada - $26.95. I haven’t tried it yet though.
I’ve set a followup email to Nicolas and Kirk (vp of Loosen Bros) so hopefully we’ll have some more info soon as to where we can source these wines. As a fan of Potel for many years, I look forward to trying Domaine de Bellene.
Excellent. I’ll be up in Calgary and Edmonton sometime in the next few months so hopefully I’ll be able to find some.
Followup from Loosen Bros:
We are just in the process of setting up Nicolas’ new Domaine and Maison for
import into the US. We expect to have the wines out in the market by late
summer.
A number of the wines are and have been available in Ontario.
Petit Monts
Clos de la Roche
One or two Beaune 1er too.
What was his first vintage under Bellene? '08? Seems like '07 was his last at Potel.
Yes. '08
I think he also had some had in the currently labeled Potel 08s as well.
I believe, someone correct me if I am wrong, that the Potel name will still appear on those wines going forward even though Nicolas is no longer part of the operation.
And we saw some older negoc bottles this winter. A vertical of Clos de Vougeot was very nice for a tasting.
He definately produced Domaine de Bellene wines in 2007 as I have many of them. I also have some the Negociant wines (Maison Roche de Bellene) from 2006 so he was working on both while he was still at Nicolas Potel. Which was part of the reason given for his dismissal.
I just tasted The 2008 Beaune Clos de Roi. A beautiful wine. Nice bright red fruit with a mineral streak. Very well balanced. Hurried back and bought some more. Very impressive. I live in Denmark so I can’t help you with retailers in the US though.
Hi Chris,
Did you get any of this? He made a really nice Petit Monts under his old label, wonder how this one is.
Cheers,
-Robert
I was fortunate enough to visit the day after Allen Meadows had tasted, in early February, so got to taste the entire range of 09s. Stars for me were the Clos de la Roche, V-R Malconsorts, and Griottes Chambertin. But a great many others were excellent. The only wine that disappointed on the day was the Clos St Denis - but then Jasper called that wine one of his wines of the vintage, so the fickle finger of fate was at work. Other good spots in 09 are his Gevreys and his Beaune Greves, from 100-y-o vines. He alsomakes a mean Corton Charlie.