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Burgundian Gems from the Nunnelly Cellar

We’ve shared a lot about Bill Nunnelly as a friend and supporter, but we wanted to take a moment to mention his insane collecting skills. Bill and his wife Rosann had a knack for collecting that was unparalleled. We’ve been the lucky recipient of many a superb bottle from their cellar, and this auction is no exception. Rosann has generously donated six bottles of top-tier Grand Cru Burgundy in honor of Bill, and we think you’re gonna be standing up in your chairs to bid on this lot.

Lot Details

This lot consists of three wines from easily some of the Côte d’Or’s most prestigious regions made by some of the most well-respected producers: Camille Giroud, Denis Bachelet, and JF Mugnier. With this selection alone, it’s clear to see Bill and Rosann’s collecting prowess, and we’re ever so grateful that Rosann has shared these Burgundian gems from what Stephen Tanzer describes as the “finest red Burgundy vintage” of his professional career.

Camille Giroud Chambertin Grand Cru 2005 (2 bottles)
Tasted blind at the Burgfest tasting in Beaune, the 2013 Chambertin Grand Cru has a crisp bouquet with almost sultry raspberry and blackberry fruit, damp earth, perhaps even a hint of iodine in the background. The palate is medium bodied with supple tannin, moderate depth though without the structure of some of its peers. There is class here, coveted away at present, yet there is certainly impressive mineralité on the finish that lingers in the mouth. Bravo David Croix — this is an outstanding Chambertin. (95 WA)

Domaine Denis Bachelet Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru Vieilles Vignes 2005 (2 bottles)
The 2005 Charmes-Chambertin (from 80-year-old, tiny-berried, tiny-clustered vines in the core Charmes) is destined to become one of the benchmarks of this great vintage as well as of Bachelet’s career. Too bad there will only be around 200 cases! A gorgeous nose of black cherry, blackberry, violets, rowan berry and licorice leads to a deeply black-fruited, expansive, satin-textured palate with undertones of bitter black chocolate, bitter-sweet roasted nuts, chalk, and iodine. (The iodine lends these black fruits a slightly medicinal aspect – and what wouldn’t this cure, I wonder?!). This Charmes exhibits amazing density and low-toned flavors in combination with lift, elegance and persistently engaging primary fruit juiciness. The carnal side of Pinot is entirely sublimated for now and the tannins so fine as to melt into the background. Save this for 2020 or beyond, please! (97 WA)

Domaine Jacques-Frederic Mugnier Musigny Grand Cru 2005 (2 bottles)
Tasting the magical 2005 Burgundies for the first time out of barrel in November of 2006, the two wines that stood at my own personal hierarchy at that time were Romanée-Conti and the Mugnier Musigny. I was fully prepared for this wine to be hermetically sealed at this point in time, but it was not the case and this great young wine showed beautifully. The bouquet soars from the glass in a brilliant mélange of red and black cherries, blood orange, mustard seed, a great base of iron soil tones, woodsmoke, violets and raw cocoa. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and very, very pure, with a rock-solid core of fruit, brilliant soil inflection, ripe tannins, tangy acids and remarkable grip and purity on the endless finish. This is very, very young, and very, very good. (Drink between 2025-2100). (99 JG)

 

Donated by Rosann Nunnelly