November 11, 2007
What a great Salud event this year – it was one of the most enjoyable ever. Pinot lovers from around the country came in for a fun three days of revelry and hedonistic indulgence, and a good time was seemingly had by all. We are honored to be one of the 42 wineries chosen to participate, and even more honored that our wines have been fetching strong prices at the auction. Big thanks and appreciation to all who attended, bid, and put so much time and effort into making this a very special event.
My suitcase is on the bed and my clothes are stacked up and ready to pile in. I leave for Burgundy in the morning, and I’ve got a seriously full schedule when I hit the ground. Of course I’ll be tasting through hundreds of 2006s in barrel from all of our producers, and will take a quick first look at the newly fermented 2007s as well. Extremely young Burgs are nearly impossible to judge – it really takes until after the wines are through malo and have settled in – generally about a year after crush – until any kind of picture begins to emerge that gives a clue to where the wines are really going. Thus the timing of my November trip every year. The fact that it coincides with the Hospices de Beaune auction and La Paulée de Meursault is a huge plus, to be sure. Hey, a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do, you know?
I’ve been invited to be inducted into the confrèrie of the Chevaliers de Pommard this year – I expect a lot of funny hats and silver tastevins around the neck and a lot of fun. Our 2005 La Paulée Pinot will be served to all of the attendee at the ceremoniess, and I’m very honored and thankful to Aleth Girardin for the invitation and for including our wines. More from the road tomorrow…
