2012 Burgundy - Believe The Hype (with all due respect to Public Enemy

I tend to look past generic vintage hype when evaluating wines; there is so much variation between
sub regions and even microclimates that it is hard to generalize.  Having said that, I tend to agree with the across the board consensus (among wine lovers, wine makers, wine critics, sommeliers, importers, distributors and retailers) that the 2012 Burgundy vintage is as good as it gets. It has it all. Fruit for days, density, volume in the mouth, structure to age for a very long time, incredible early drinkability on certain wines, site character and mouth cleansing acidity that brings it all home. It is my favorite vintage that I have tasted and with my model there are some ridiculous values to be had and with Jean-Jacques Girard, who is a living, breathing, walking billboard for great value in Burgundy you have more can't miss wines for a song. I have two wines here that show the strengths of the vintage. One to drink now and one to put away and cellar for 5-10 years. Both are fantastic in their own way and you can enjoy one upon arrival while you wait for the other to mature.

The 2012 JJ Girard Pernand Vergelessses 1er Cru "Fichots" is a classic, dark, rustic Fichots, that can be had for as little as $31.99 on the 4-pack,  that will take time to come around but all of the material is there for a great wine. It is great now, don't get me wrong, but Fichots needs time and be an eye opening bottle in 5-7-even 10 years. Today it requires a 12-36 hour decant. I love being able to offer classically structured 1er Cru Burgundies that can age 10-15 years for as little as $31.99 on the 4 pack. It's crazy. The wine exhibits a dark, dense nose with wild berry fruit, lots of earth and loamy minerals. Also some nice spice. It is engaging as it is always slowly revealing more. It is an earthy wine as Fichots always is the the trademark density is there even more with that 2012 lift. The flavors are beautiful and there is a sense of rustic finesse if you know what I mean. Terrific persistence and length with wonderfully refreshing acidity.

The 2012 JJ Girard Savigny-Les-Beaune for $24.99 on a 4-pack is a flat out great wine to drink now. We always talk about wines not being ready and drinking them too young well this wine is not one of those. This is terrific now. It has that classic Savigny grit and is in a forward style as many of Girard's village wines can be. The fruit is gorgeous and classic 2012 with lovely sappy and slightly dense berry fruit with a good mineral backbone and shows utter refinement and finesse. This is priced like a Bourgogne Rouge but is actually a village wine. Wines like this are why I do what I do.

2012 JJ Girard Pernand Vergelesses 1er Cru "Les Fichots" - $33.99 

($127.96 4-pack)

 

2012 JJ Girard Savigny Les Beaune - $26.99 ($99.96 4-pack)