Date: Thursday, January 20, 2011 -
Reporting from: Burgundy, France
When we arrived at Paul Pernot's place the Burgundy fog was so thick we could see only 200 feet. In this weather Paul's cheeks are not sun burnt, but red from a life in the vineyards in the wind, cold, rain and the sun whenever it comes back. His son says today it is not too cold to prune. The work will keep them warm. Paul looks the same as always, a small, crisp, hardworking farmer in flat cap and large spectacles. His charm and his wines are 19th century, made in the vineyard, one look at his hands and you know that. Paul immediately pours. While the 2008 vintage is classic and focused, the 2009 is much more open, welcoming and ready to drink.
Paul's 2009 Bourgogne Blanc, is creamy and full, traditionally the best we taste in these trips. So it goes through the better wines from Puligny and Batard; the real deal. It is an honor to know and work with someone (20+ years now) so committed to the old ways and such hard work, and our good fortune to drink the fruit of his labors. They never stop, when the fog lifts a little and we pass through Montrachet later in the day, the Pernots' battered little white station wagon is pulled into a vineyard. Someone is pruning to prep for the 2011s!
It just so happens our first shipment of Paul's 2009 Bourgogne Blanc (Chardonnay) arrived in our Tarpon Springs warehouse the day we departed. Was that 13 days ago? You'll want some 2009 plus there are still a few hundred bottles of the 2008 available; 6 of one, half dozen of the other?
Bob Sprentall Proprietor
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