La Paulée, trois fois…
I have not had any wine in seven days now. Mostly because I’ve been fighting the flu and have had no desire whatsoever. (Is it swine flu? I do have an insatiable urge for bacon…) Also, my subconscious is likely in the process of preparing my liver for the annual onslaught of bacchanalia that comes each November – that wondrous thing known as La Paulée.
A few bottles awaiting their liberation at La Paulée 2008
This year I will have to endure not one but three Paulées. (Yes, I know, I have the best job in the world. Actually, Allen Meadows has the best job, but we digress…) First up is our 4th annual La Paulée de Carlton on Saturday November 7th – starting with an open house tasting at the winery and then the dinner and pinot-palooza that night. (As of this writing there are still a couple of seats open – kellykarr@scottpaul.com if you’d like to join us.)
Revelers at La Paulée de Carlton 2008
Then a few days later I’m off to Burgundy for the Hospices de Beaune auction, my fall visits to our growers to get a good post-malo look at the ’08s in barrel, and the Paulée. And another Paulée. La Paulée de Meursault (the grand-daddy of ‘em all, as American sportscasters would call it) is always on the Monday following the third Sunday in November. I last attended in 2003, and have been invited this year by the Buisson-Charles family. This event is, for those of us that are not winemakers in Burgundy, usually a once-in-a-lifetime event. To get to go again is a rare treat, and I am way excited to say the least. It takes place in the cellars of the Chateau de Meursault, and about 600 squeeze in for a day of feasting and more old bottles of Grand Cru Burgundy than you are likely to ever see in one place anytime anywhere.
Just a couple of mags of '47 de Vogüé Musigny (and that's a 1918 Meursault Goutte d'Or to the left...)
The near impossibility of most folks getting a seat in Meursault prompted Véronique Drouhin (winemaker at Domaine Drouhin Oregon and reigning princess of Burgundy) to start her own private Paulée back in 2003. It is limited to 50 friends, collectors, and winemakers from around the planet, and is held in the ancient cellars of Drouhin beneath the streets of Beaune. It is usually held on the same day as the Meursault event, but this year will take place the day after, hence I will get to saturate my liver at both events back-to-back. (Yes, I feel all that deep sympathy coming my way.)
I will be reporting back from Burg-land on a regular basis, posting photos, tasting notes, etc. In the meantime, a week or so of flu-forced detox is probably not a bad thing. I look forward to enjoying a good wine or two with you here on the 7th! Watch this space for a special announcement on the day of our Paulée…
