2003 Red Burgundy
Learn more about 2003 Red Burgundy
2003 will be remembered in Burgundy for its ferocious summer heatwave. In August there were 15 consecutive days of temperatures in excess of 40 degrees centigrade causing sugar levels to soar and the Ban de Vendages being declared on the the 18th August, the earliest ever date.
The biggest challenge facing vignerons was the low acidity. Some growers did not acidify at all. Others put in a minimal dose to prevent microbial spoilage in their weakest cuv?es while horror stories abound suggesting that some may have tipped in vast quantities of tartaric acid on the advice of their oenologists.
Most growers slightly reduced the length of time in vat and almost all cut down on treading - pigeage - so as not to extract harsh tannins. It became clear that the 2003s could support a higher percentage than usual of new oak.
The producers we have bought from have made spectacular wines, but, with yields greatly reduced by the atypical conditions, quantities of the top wines are even more scarce than usual.
Prices:
Bottle
£199.50
Bottle 6 x 75cl1cs
Magnum 1 x 150cl1cs
Bottle 12 x 75cl1cs
One of Nicolas Potels specialities is Volnay. The plot of vineyard which produced this bottling of Champans has been farmed organically since 1973, which, combined with the deep vein of clay present in this famous site, would account for its rich, dense, seductive fruit and impressive energy. This 2003 has a wealth of rich, ripe black fruit flavours along with a significant bone structure which will stand up to more robust dishes. An excellent accompaniment for the Sunday joint of beef. Enjoy the weight of the 2003 vintage in the hands of a remarkably talented winemaker.
(Jasper Morris MW, BBR Buyer)
Bottle 12 x 75cl1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl1cs
(Jasper Morris MW, Berrys' Burgundy Director)
Nicolas Potel, took his first steps as winemaker in the family Estate in Volnay, Le Domaine de la Pousse d’Or. He established his own negoce operation in 1996 , followed by Maison Potel-Aviron in Beaujolais region in 2000 and his efforts culminated in his own Estate, Domaine de Bellene in 2005, with 15 ha of organically-farmed vines in Côte de Beaune.
In 2008, after leaving the SAS Nicolas Potel company, Nicolas Potel launched a new, "Haute Couture"-style negociant business called "Maison Roche de Bellene" which focuses on offering the rare and fine cuvées.
The Bellene range encompasses wines from the Côte de Nuits, and has the widest selection of Grand Crus from Burgundy, as well as a number of prestige 1er Cru cuvées such as Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses, Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Les Combottes.
Recently , Nicolas Potel introduced a range of very rare older vintages, under the name "Collection Bellenum".
These exceptional wines, dating back from 1959 are the result of a strict selection of old vintages originating from the cellars of some of the most acclaimed wine producers in Burgundy.