I have to start this email on a somber note. Florent got destroyed in 2016 from hail and bad weather and his crop will be very, very small. He has had to work extra hard with what little he has left and I could tell from his emails he was a man that was despondent and had much taken away from him by the force that he cannot control, which is Mother Nature. But what is left, he says will be be very high quality, only he wishes it was a normal crop which does not seem to happen often in the Cote de Beaune these days. It upsets me when Florent is upset as he is so full of life and smiles and so passionate about what he does. I have called him a force of nature before and he truly is. I wish you all could hang out with him as he makes the experience that much more enjoyable. He also was cut short in 2015 and 2014. Ugh. Florent basically told me that over 2014/2015/2016 his Meursault will be very rare because he lost so much. I've begged for as much as I can get but I may be cut back.
But onto the good news is I have two 2014s from Florent Garaudet today and they are just absolute stunners. His 2014s as are just transcendental. Florent took a huge leap in his winemaking skill and was blessed with a great vintage. I mean a great vintage. I cannot stop drinking my 14s and I won't have any to age.
First up is the absolutely stunning 2014 Florent Garaudet Meursault for $xx.xx each on a 4 pack. Florent has no 1er Cru or Grand Cru sites. He treats this wine like a 1er Cru and so should we; it is that good. As many of you have tasted Florent's brilliant 2013 Meursault, you can attest to how much of a great winemaker he is. As good and opulent as the 2013 was, the 2014 is that much more and as many of you have commented this is a wine that has glorious acidity to balance the Meursault intensity. Amazingly pure and mineral nose. Like a fresh rain over hazelnuts and smokey pears. It shows the opulence of Florent's style on the nose. His whites are not shy and always elicit a "wow" when poured. They always need 30 minutes and then they are delivering on all cylinders. The palate here is precise and pure and very lush with a ridiculous amount of dry extract. The story for the 14's, for me and many others is the palate. There is a massive level of concentration. Almost too much. Incredibly intense. Almost chewy. A big step up from the amazing 2013. Epic epic power and concentration. Old vines and tiny grapes. The vineyard is located just under the plot of the Hospices de Beaune 1er "Santenots." Location. Location. Location. Great structure. Nervy. Long and juicy. The finesse that Florent got out of all his wines, but especially the whites, is remarkable. This is a steal at this price. Drinks like $60-$80. Very impressive.
Next up is the "baby" Meursault as Florent likes to call it his 2014 Florent Garaudet Bourgogne Blanc for $xx.xx each on a 4 pack. Straight up this will be one of the best Bourgogne Blancs and Bourgogne Blanc values of the vintage. Please email me for case pricing. I really really believe in this wine. The 12 was nice. The 13 was really really nice and over-performed. The '14 is a whole new ballgame. You've just been called up the The Big Show, yet your salary hasn't quite caught up yet. It is very mineral, has brilliant acids and that Garaudet opulence. It is very rich and pure and has insane depth and energy. Blind tasting you think it is Meursault. Best BB I have ever tasted from Florent and maybe at FS. Again, please email for case prices, you'll be happy you did.
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