Henri Boillot: 2009 Meursault v Chassagne Montrachet

Wednesday, March 27th, 2019 — This is really two tastings in one. We have a comparison of two landmark Burgundy communes: Meursault & Chassagne-Montrachet combined with a survey of Henri Boillot’s winemaking across three vineyards from each commune, plus the village wines. The wines are listed below.

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Meursault is typically known for its rich and savory whites, with nutty, honeyed hints and buttery, vanilla spice from judicious oak. Ironically, while Chassagne is separated from Meursault by Puligny, flavour-wise it is Chassagne that is midway between Puligny and Meursault – less fine than Puligny and less rich than Meursault – but containing elements of both.

Chassagne is minerally yet succulent, and often floral with hints of hazelnuts (similar to Chassagne). Chassagne is usually the (relative) value play compared to Puligny or Meursault. So there will be similarities, and differences, in the wines. It will be fun figuring out which is which!

Henri Boillot is one of the top producers in Burgundy. Based in Meursault, he makes wine from Meursault, Puligny, Chassagne and Volnay (Pinot). The family started making wine at the start of the twentieth century. Henri opened a négociant business in 1995 to supplement the wines from their holdings in Puligny. He bought out the family in 2005 to keep the domaine whole. Our wines in this tasting are all “Henri Boillot Maison”. However, this is no ordinary négociant. As Berry Bros puts it

…although Henri does not own the vineyards from which these grapes are sourced, he farms them as meticulously as if they were his own.

2009 was an excellent year. Warm conditions and fairly large yields gave balanced grapes, and most agree 2009 whites are at least on a par with 2005. Last May, Jancis Robinson had this to say about the vintage

…. 2009 white burgundies, from a relatively low-acid vintage that one might have expected to have aged rather fast. In the event, the successful wines in this collection of 29, tasted in the cellars of Justerini & Brooks with fellow wine professionals with a particular interest in Burgundy, were still admirably refreshing and the best, several of which came from Chassagne, seemed to have quite a bit of potential for enjoyment.

Our tasting offers a terrific opportunity to taste top quality white Burgundy that is entering its mature phase.

Our speaker is Lloyd Evans.

List of wines:

  • 2009 Meursault 1er cru les Poruzots – Boillot
  • 2009 Meursault 1er cru les Perrieres – Boillot
  • 2009 Meursault 1er cru les Cras – Boillot
  • 2009 Chassagne-Montrachet – Boillot
  • 2009 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er cru Embrazées – Boillot
  • 2009 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er cru Les Chenevottes – Boillot
  • 2009 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er cru Les Chaumées – Boillot

North York Memorial Community Hall
5110 Yonge St. (under library)
North York Centre Subway

GST/HST account: 844742619 RT0001
Business Name: Winetasters Society of Toronto

Cancellations accepted up to March 22, 2019 — (Cindy Taylor, 416.458.3147 evenings only). No reservations by phone, please. No mail confirmations will be issued — you will be contacted only if we are sold out. First come basis.

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