Two Beautiful JJ Girard Burgundies at Great Prices

As the reports keep coming in from happy Fass Selections clients, the beautiful Burgundies of Jean-Jacques Girard seem to be at the top of the list of wines that people are waxing poetically about. They are utterly classic Burgundies from underappreciated appellations that over-deliver on flavor intensity, terroir footprint, purity, ageability and freshness. They are so fresh and clean, having none to little of the Burgundian barnyard funk. Each appellation is faithfully represented and that is why I have offered so many. From Aloxe-Corton to Pommard to Pernand 1er Cru's these are all so distinctive, seriously value priced because of my direct from the winery model and just so drinkable. There are some wines that we can appreciate but can't drink. You all know what I am getting at. But then where are wines that we drink because we appreciate them. Make sense? If so you are on the right email blast list. I've had some 2011's from Girard that were some of the best of any grower in my book. From humble appellations as well. Savingy, Aloxe, Pernand don't exactly have the same hum as Vosne, Gevrey or Volnay but every appellation in Burgundy is capable of making great wine. I love the full spectrum of Pinot Noir expression across all the appellations. I'm just a wine geek I guess. But estates like Girard bring that inner wine geek out in me, and you I hope as well.

I have two expressions of what Girard does best today. A white and a red as Girard is equally skilled at both. A rarity in Burgundy.

First up is the 2012 Domaine Girard Bourgogne Blanc "Combe d'Orange" which can be had for as little as $18.99 on the 6-pack.

Do not be misled by the low price - this is a $25-$30 wine that I can offer for under $20 because I bought it direct.  I have six pack pricing as this is the ultimate French quaffer that I will offer. I don't offer many but when I do, you should perk your head up and buy a good amount.  This is the perfect house white and at my pricing, affordable for a party.

From a small named site near Pernand this has that extra 2012 turbo charge and has all you want out of a Bourgogne Blanc. Fruit, fruit and more fruit. Obviously it's Burgundy so there are also some earthy/mineral tones but at the end of the day this wine is a classic Bourgogne Blanc that excels in 2012 because of the extra concentration at all levels of the food chain. The simple wines like this are not so simple. This hits your palate with waves and waves of refreshing fruits bathed in minerality and a slight saline finish. But the fruit really impressed. This can be aged for 2-5 years just because it is so stuffed, but this is one where you want to drink most of it on its fruit.

Up next is just a stunning wine. No two ways about it and one of the successes of the vintage for the Pernand appellation. The 2012 Domaine Girard Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru "Les Vergelesses" can be had for $29.99 on the 4 pack. 89-92 BH for those who care and I do, because that is a great score for this wine and it will certainly top out when Meadows finally tastes it in bottle.That is a straight up absurd price for a wine from a GREAT vineyard. I love this vineyard. Ile de Vergelelesses gets all the fame but Les Vergelesses is like the little brother who is so close but just falls a tad short but sometimes when you least expect it he will out perform the older brother. Ile de always needs time to integrate and develop, whilst Aux or Les Vergelesses (some people use Aux and others use Le) is a puppy wanting to impress a new owner. Full of complexity and fruit, even in a vintage like 2012 from the get go. This really rocked. The nose was and is very deep and as Burghound says there is mad menthol, sauvage fruit and a meatiness. The earthiness runs throughout and the aromas as I coaxed my glass just became pungent like you would not believe. The palate is pure 2012 velvet. I find many 2012's velvety and this is the epitome of that. The volume in the mouth is just profound and allied with Girard's trademark freshness and precision you have one of the best 1er values in all of 2012.
 
These will arrive in late fall and ship in fall/winter.

2012 JJ Girard Bourgogne Blanc "La Combe d'Orange" - $19.99 

($113.94 6-pack)

2012 JJ Girard Pernand Vergelesses 1er Cru "Les Vergelesses" - $32.99 

($119.96 4-pack) (LIMITED)

Mix and match on 8 bottles for best price