Perhaps Our Coolest Red Burg Ever - Only Wine in the US from this Cote-d'Or Commune - Top Producer, Incredible Value

Now that most people have gotten their wines they are being popped and poured and everyone seems

very happy. One producer that has really stood out for me and for many of you based on emails and feedback is Jerome Galeyrand. I only offered a few of his 13's as I learned the hard way that his wines sell out very quickly in France and to his other importers around the world. He is very popular and only works with hand-picked, by himself, small importers. It is an honor that we are working together. The wines, I cannot stress this enough, are absolutely top class and on the same level as Herve Murat as well as two producers that we don't work with anymore (and whose prices have now skyrocketed) Thomas Bouley in Volnay and Domaine Duroche in Gevrey. Jerome is on this level. To put it mildly, these are some of the best values, as they are presently priced. He reminds me of a cross between Murat and Fourrier. He has really interesting plots and gets the most out of each plot. He is a producer that I will sell as many as his wines as possible. All the cuvees are terrific. His style is one of finesse, freshness and terrific pure Pinot fruit. The fruit in these wines is remarkable. As is the the top class finesse. He is a rising star and at these prices there value cannot be overstated. If the past is prologue, buy as much as you can at these prices as they will certainly increase in price.

The 2014's are shaping up to be a terrific vintage and across the board the reds are lipsmacking, elegant, fresh, transparent wines of terrific site specificity. Think a skoche below 2010 in terms of style and quantity, but cut from the same cloth. Jerome made a wide selection of cuvees in 2014 and they all stood out but he indicated these would sell out soon so I better offer them. He took my call in the Alps on vacation with awful reception yesterday to confirm the wines and ask a few questions.

Today I have two absolutely beautiful wines from Jerome Galeyrand. First up is the 2014 Jerome Galeyrand Marsannay "La Combe du Pre" for as little as $29.99 a 4-pack. I love a good Marsannay and was happy that I finally had a producer who made a great one.  The vineyard "La Combe du Pre" is situated in between two cooler valleys. Because of the somewhat cooler climate here Jerome harvests this parcel very late. The parcel, oddly enough also has oyster shells in it. The cold weather keeps the bugs out and the result is very balanced wines. 35 year old vines Jerome has here and he really gets the most out of them. This wine is so pretty. Incredibly meaty and floral aromas with very pretty Pinot fruit. So poised and vivid. For Jerome's lesser appellations he really emphasizes drinkability and fruit. These wines are still dripping with terroir and are as traditional yet polished as anything in my book. The depth of his wines is remarkable. This packs a punch on the palate with sweet red cherry fruit, ripe tannins and layers of crackling, pure fruit.

Next up is a brand new debut wine from Jerome and as far as I know the only wine labeled of its type in Burgundy, the 2014 Jeromy Galeyrand Comblanchien "Les Etraits" Vieilles Vignes for as little as $42.99 a bottle on a 4-pack. This is a wine I've been keeping quiet about (which is hard for me) as it is so cool, so delicious and so utterly geeky , and there is not that much, I wanted to offer it on a holiday so there would not be a riot as I believe this is another fine fine value. The vineyard is right next to the great Nuits St. Georges "Clos de Marechal" owned and made exclusively by Frederic Mugnier. When I mean, next if you move, 2 feet and through a wall you get this parcel. The orientation is the same as well. The soil, as explained to me by Jerome, is a pre-limestone (tender flay actually), in that it is at the stage right before it becomes limestone in its evolution. The vines are from two plots. One planted in 1925 and one planted in 1932. That is 90+ years old vines. The wine is like Jerome made a Clos de Marechale, it is a wine brimming with finesse and elegance, and juicy, perfumed fruit. It is layered and complex with such freshness and vividness you feel like you are biting into tiny grapes freshly harvested  off the vine. Jerome has taken a quality leap from '13 to '14. This vintage really is made for him and showcases his talents. This wine is limited and will age gracefully for 15-18 years.

2014 Jerome Galeyrand Marsannay "La Combe du Pre" - $31.99 ($119.96 4-pack)  2014 Jerome Galeyrand Comblanchien "Les Etraits" Vieilles Vignes - $44.99 ($171.96 4-pack)