Thursday, July 1, 2010

2007 Domaine Bart Bourgogne Rouge

Dear Rene,
This note is about an estate making the prettiest red Burgundy at the best price, completely blowing away other Burgundies as well as pinots from California, Oregon, or New Zealand for value. The red Burgundies of Domaine Bart in Marsannay are just amazing. We've quietly been receiving and selling some of the wines of this estate for several years, but there has been so little wine available that a few customers and staff members have grabbed it all.

We're getting more this year than ever before and I'm thrilled to be able to let more people know about this estate. In an excellent article for The Wine News Magazine called "Best-Value Red Burgundy Producers," Master of Wine and renowned author Clive Coates discussed dozens of domaines and appellations that are consistently, well, the best value red Burgundy producers. The very first "best value" Domaine he chose to mention was Domaine Bart in Marsannay. 

Proprietor Martin Bart is a grandchild of the Clair family of Clair Dau fame (one of the most prestigious names in Burgundy) and he has everything a red Burgundy fan could want-- from the best single vineyard red Burgundies of the Marsannay appellation (at incredible prices) to top Grand Cru Cote de Nuits vineyards (like Clos de Beze and Bonnes Mares inherited from the Dau Domaine); he even has a dry Marsannay 100% Pinot Noir Rosé, one of the best around, that is in stock at Arrowine at just $14.99 per bottle ($13.49 by the case--the lowest price in the USA).

The focus of today's e-mail feature, though, is his biggest bargain of all, the silky-soft, complex, and outstanding 2007 Bourgogne Rouge (100% pinot noir). I've visited Domaine Bart four times in recent trips to Burgundy. Having tasted this in Burgundy and then back here in Arlington, I'm convinced there just isn't a better pinot noir on the planet for the ridiculous price as low as $13.99 per bottle.

This is such a bargain, we wanted to order 100 cases, but we were only able to get 40. This will sell out quickly, don't delay in ordering.

And, as always, we have a lot going on here this weekend (we'll be closed the 4th): wine tastings, cheese tastings, beer tasting and marvelous cheese and charcuterie specials (look out for our July Cheese and Charcuterie Newsletter going out later today). Please come by.

Doug Rosen


2007 Domaine Bart Bourgogne Rouge

Domaine Bart

2007 Domaine Bart Bourgogne Rouge
Reg. $17.99
Six bottle price: $15.99 each
Case (12 + bottles) price: Just $13.99 per bottle
This is a truly beautiful wine. Martin Bart, pictured below, crafts some of the prettiest pinot noirs of any winemaker I know and he sells them for far less than comparable wines from other Burgundy producers. This Bourgogne is precise, terroir-driven, expressive, delicate and, above all, delicious. If you love honest, pure, pinot noir, not over-extracted or overoaked, or if you just love a great deal, order a case today.

Martin Bart began Domaine Bart in the 1980s when Domaine Clair Dau (Bruno Clair) was divided between members of the family. He is one of the top growers and winemakers in Marsannay and has some of the top vineyards in the entire area.

Dedicated, high-quality vineyard work is the foremost precept at Domaine Bart. Hisorganic vineyard practices, hand pruning, hand picking, working of the soil, and green harvesting lead to low yields and assure that Martin brings in the highest quality, cleanest grapes. In the 2007 vintage, the quality is truly outstanding. Simply put, Martin Bart grows better grapes than many of his neighbors and that is what allows him to make better wine.

In the cellar, grapes are sorted by hand and vinified separately, vineyard by vineyard, lot by lot, depending on the specific parcel from which the grapes came.Fermentation is done slowly at a cool temperature to allow his high quality grapes to express their fullest character. Martin understands his different parcels and treats each lot of grapes differently to bring out the best of the unique fruit.

Domaine Bart's wines are made with extreme care, and in a manner that is absolutely first class. His style is about expressive aromatics, terroir-driven flavors, and delicate silken texture, rather than about sheer weight, extraction, or oak tannin.

Here's how this tastes:
This pale garnet red Burgundy has an exquisite perfume more reminiscent of Chambolle than of regional Burgundy. The high toned aromas bring to mind red berries and cherries with floral accents and a touch of stone. The palate is pure and delicate with notes of wild strawberries, cherries, and herbs fusing into into pure silk. The finish is bright, classy, dry, and luscious. This is pretty and utterly charming as well as one of the best bargains I've experienced from anywhere in the region.

To order please call 703.525.0990. We need your Visa or MasterCard information including expiration date. Wine arrives tomorrow, Friday July 2nd.