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Domaine Michel Caillot, “Les Herbeux” Bourgogne Blanc

Burgundy, France 2014 (750mL)
$35.00
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Domaine Michel Caillot, “Les Herbeux” Bourgogne Blanc

Every day, we find ourselves in the midst of great wines but on the rarest of occasions, we uncover one that goes above and beyond what we thought was possible. Today’s 2014 “Les Herbeux” Bourgogne Blanc is an exemplary white Burgundy that (1) is sourced from an organically farmed vineyard in Meursault, (2) hails from a personal-favorite vintage, (3) is produced without manipulation in frighteningly small quantities, (4) has little-to-no exposure in America, and (5) comes in at a truly incomprehensible price. When we tasted it next to a bonafide $65 Meursault, we swore there was an extra dimension or some hidden secret to this pedestrian label—and after consulting my tried-and-true Burgundy tome from Clive Coates, our hunch was confirmed.


The tiny “Les Herbeux” vineyard sits smack dab in the middle of Meursault, literally touching “Clos de la Barre,” made famous by legendary Comte Lafon ($200+). In other words, this is the epitome of insider Burgundy! We’ll always call a spade a spade around here: We know today’s label is forgettable, but the wine inside is sensational. This is a pitch-perfect “Meursault” (more on the ‘Bourgogne’ labeling below) from a vintage that brought some of the most classic tasting Burgundies of the 21st century. For just $35, you’d be certifiably mad to miss this opportunity. Quantities are incredibly scarce and there’s no more to be had after our last bottle vanishes.


Michel Caillot began working the vines in the late ‘80s when the domaine was run by his father Roger. After several backbreaking years of work, he was “upgraded” to the cellar and began perfecting his winemaking craft until completing his first unassisted élevage in the mid 1990s. Michel was able to do this so quickly by learning from the best: He’s the nephew of Pierre Morey, who was previously the cellar master of world-famous Domaine Leflaive for 20 years!



So why isn’t this sensational Bourgogne Blanc labeled as a “Meursault?” Simple wine politics! When the Meursault appellation was created a half-century ago, “Les Herbeux” wasn’t planted to vines at the time, so it wasn’t legally allowed to be classified. Soon after, the various crops were replanted to Chardonnay and, thus, a secret, unclassified Meursault vineyard was born. In the vineyard, Michel farms with organic practices and keepy yields low—well below the average for Grand Crus! In the winery, he exceeds all expectations of a $35 wine by employing a six-month-long, barrel-fermented, natural fermentation and ensuring that all juice is transferred by gravity in his three-story cellar. The resulting wine continues maturing in French barrels, 10% new, before tightening up in stainless steel. In all, over two years pass before an unfiltered bottling—a truly rare feat, and dying breed, in Burgundy! 



Make no mistake: Just because this is labeled “Bourgogne Blanc” doesn’t mean it must be  resigned to that broad-sweeping region—“Les Herbeux” lies in the heart of Meursault and it tastes like it in the glass. It pours a deep yellow with silver hues and instantly starts emitting powerfully seductive, evolving Côte de Beaune perfumes like apricot, ripe yellow apple, pineapple core, honeysuckle, white peach, lemon curd, raw hazelnut, crushed rock, vanilla bean, baking spice, and a concentrated mineral core. This has all the hallmarks of classic white Burgundy, really, of classic Meursault, and I wouldn’t hesitate to put it in a blind tasting. Plus, the fact that it hails from the structured and classic 2014 vintage only adds to the allure: The palate is full of supple citrus/orchard fruit and pulverized mineral tension, and each sip stretches for 30+ seconds. You cannot ask for a better buy at $35. Secure all you can and enjoy over the next 3-5 years. Cheers!
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Country
France
Region
Burgundy
Sub-Region
FranceCôte de Beaune / “Les Herbeux” Vineyard
Soil
Clay & Limestone
Farming
Sustainable
Blend
Chardonnay 100%
Alcohol
12.0
OAK
10% New French
TEMP.
55
Glassware
Large Burgundy Stem
Drinking
Now-2024
Decanting
15 Minutes
Pairing
Sole Meunière

France

Bourgogne

Beaujolais

Enjoying the greatest wines of Beaujolais starts, as it usually does, with the lay of the land. In Beaujolais, 10 localities have been given their own AOC (Appellation of Controlled Origin) designation. They are: Saint Amour; Juliénas; Chénas; Moulin-à Vent; Fleurie; Chiroubles; Morgon; Régnié; Côte de Brouilly; and Brouilly.

Southwestern France

Bordeaux

Bordeaux surrounds two rivers, the Dordogne and Garonne, which intersect north of the city of Bordeaux to form the Gironde Estuary, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The region is at the 45th parallel (California’s Napa Valley is at the38th), with a mild, Atlantic-influenced climate enabling the maturation of late-ripening varieties.

Central France

Loire Valley

The Loire is France’s longest river (634 miles), originating in the southerly Cévennes Mountains, flowing north towards Paris, then curving westward and emptying into the Atlantic Ocean near Nantes. The Loire and its tributaries cover a huge swath of central France, with most of the wine appellations on an east-west stretch at47 degrees north (the same latitude as Burgundy).

Northeastern France

Alsace

Alsace, in Northeastern France, is one of the most geologically diverse wine regions in the world, with vineyards running from the foothills of theVosges Mountains down to the Rhine River Valley below.

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