WTN: Modest Burg and Chablis for Thanksgiving

[Robin Garr]

Not quite bottom-feeding, but certainly at the entry level for Burgundy, this 2016 Bourgogne Pinot Noir and Chablis were on the simple side, fresh and acidic, but both proved more than versatile enough to serve well with the varied bounty of the Thanksgiving table. I’d buy both again.

Jean-Claude Boisset 2016 Bourgogne Pinot Noir "Les Ursulines" ($17.99)

Clear ruby color, shading to a clear edge. Subtle, clean red berry aromas lead into a fresh, acidic flavor that mirrors the nose, brisk and long. Label claims 11-14% alcohol. U.S. importer: Boisset America, St. Helena, Calif. (Nov. 22, 2018)

FOOD MATCH: Beef is its natural partner, but it would be fine also with cheese-based dishes or grilled chicken, duck, or for a Thanksgiving feast, roast turkey.

WHEN TO DRINK: The winery declares it ready to drink and recommends holding it for no more than seven years past the vintage.

VALUE:
This entry wine into Burgundy is well valued in the upper teens. Wine-Searcher.com calculates a $19 average U.S. retail.

WEB LINK
Here's a winery fact sheet on this wine in English.

FIND THIS WINE ONLINE:
Find vendors and compare prices for Boisset Bourgogne Pinot Noir "Les Ursulines" on Wine-Searcher.com.

Domaine Laroche 2016 Chablis "Saint Martin" ($21.99)

Clear gold, pale and transparent. Fresh, tart apple aromas and a whiff of white wildflowers. Mouth-filling, elegant apple and pear flavors give way to chalky minerality, framed by crisp, palate-cleansing acidity and moderate 12% alcohol. U.S. importer: Wilson Daniels LLC, St. Helena, Calif. (Nov. 22, 2018)

FOOD MATCH: The winery suggests it as an aperitif or with seafood, prawns or fish. You can't go wrong with turkey breast meat.

WHEN TO DRINK: Chablis can age and evolve, but good cellar conditions are required. The sturdy metal screw cap assures a clean wine, but I wouldn't recommend this modest wine for long-term aging. Drink over the next few years.

VALUE:
It's a fine value for young Chablis in the lower $20s; Wine-Searcher.com shows a $23 average U.S. retail.

WEB LINK
The winery offers only brief info sheet on Domaine Laroche "Saint Martin," but you can click around to find a lot more information about the winery. For a more detailed information page, visit this link at importer Wilson Daniels.

FIND THIS WINE ONLINE:
Check prices and locate vendors for Domaine Laroche Chablis "Saint Martin" on Wine-Searcher.com.