COTE D'OR: BURGUNDY WINE TOUR 2008
October 19th - 24th, 2008
Presented by Mills Fine Wine & Spirits,
along with Martin & Keegan LLC Tours
Tour begins with pick up at Dijon Train Station
Tour ends with drop off at Dijon Train Station
(NOTE: We reserve the right to make changes to this itinerary and will inform guests of any changes made prior to departure)
Tour Description
Burgundy is the old France, where the past lives in concert with the present. Historic chateaus, miles of straight Roman roads and magnificent churches are a constant reminder of Burgundy's heritage. Burgundy is a land of culture, countryside, fine food and wine. A land where life is relaxed and enjoyed. The area is rich in culture, history, gastronomy and world-famous wines, and is renowned for its warm hospitality and inimitable knack for enjoying life. Familiar names like Beaune, Meursault, Corton-Charlemagne and Montrachet evoke the tradition and "joie de vive" of the region's top wine growers, where love of wine is so much a part of daily life. Passing old honey-colored stone houses and ancient walls along the quiet, winding wine roads, gives the impression of having gone back in time.
A First-class hotel and sumptuous Michelin-starred dining await as you discover the prestigious wines, history and beauty of Burgundy. You'll enjoy extensive tastings at top wine estates in Burgundy with wine expert Todd Ross, General Manager and Wine Buyer for Mills Fine Wine and Spirits of Annapolis Maryland, Professional Guide Colette Barbier who teaches History of Gastronomy and Wine at the University of Dijon, and internationally award winning photojournalist Peter Martin, Managing Director of Martin & Keegan LLC, a tour company specializing in small boutique tours around the world.
Luxury accommodations are included at the elegant 4-Star Hotel Le Cep in Beaune.
Day One - Arrival, Sunday, October 19th
Guests will be picked up from the Dijon train station in the early afternoon (time to be determined). Direct TGV trains from Gare de Lyon to Dijon take about 90 minuets. It's approximately a 30 minute drive from Dijon to Beaune where we'll check into the Hotel Le Cep for 5 nights. The Le Cep is a townhouse hotel with a pleasant mix of antiques and old world French country charm and is perfectly located in the heart of the old town of Beaune specially suited for exploring.
Once checked in, we'll enjoy a private walking tour of Beaune, with expert Guide Colette Barbier, which will be followed by a wine-tasting and a review of our itinerary for the week. Dinner tonight is at La Ciboulette.Situated just after the Porte Saint Nicholas, at the entrance to the rue de Lorraine in Beaune, the unassuming entrance to La Ciboulette hides a fresh and unpretentious interior and is often described by locals as a reliable favourite. The beamed rooms are decorated in white and celery green, and the tables are all set beautifully. The husband/wife team of Martine and Alban Demougenot run this bright, clean, elegant little two room bistro serving stylish remakes of traditional Burgundian fare. 69 rue de Lorraine F - 21200 BEAUNE
Day Two - Monday, October 20th
After breakfast we'll set off early to visit the picturesque Clos-Vougeot where once again expert Guide Colette Barbier shares her knowledge of this historic location.
Domaine Collotte - Marsannay-La-Côte
After our tour of Clos Vougeot, our first tasting of the day will be with the tall, quiet, Philippe Collotte who presides over this small, quality driven domaine in the Cote d'Or's most northerly appellation. From the U.S. Importer, Peter Weygandt: "His 2004's were good, especially the Marsannay Champsalomon, but his 2005's are special. And it is not just the vintage that explians it. One can see lower yields, more selection before and at harvest, and for us he bottled everything unfiltered. The Marsannay Clos de Jeu 2005 is the top Marsannay I have ever tasted - I put 6 magnums into my personal cellar. As I alluded to above, 2005 is no fluke - Philippe's were some of the best 2006's I tasted in February 2007 and when you taste his 2006 Rosé de Marsannay, it will be hard to argue that one who got that much fruit in his Marsannay Rosé, must have done something special that vintage. [Also of] special note is his Bourgogne parcel, planted in 1947 (bottled unfiltered for us) and there are 4 parcels of 50 + year vines in his super-value Marsannay VV. It is fun to find people like Philippe Collotte."
Lunch is at La Cabotte, 24 Grande Rue, 21700 Nuits-Saint-Georges. Owned by Virginie and Thomas Collomb, and situated in the heart of the town, La Cabotte's decidedly modern menu includes such dishes as beef onglet, scallops with fresh herb risotto, and fricassée d'escargots with farmhouse bacon and 'forgotten' vegetables.
Domaine Chevillon-Chezeaux, Nuit-Saint-Georges
After lunch our next tasting will be just a short drive south to the small but highly regarded Domaine Chevillon-Chezeaux in Nuits Saint Georges. Decanter magazine's January 2007 list of Key Players in Nuits St. Georges states: "This little-known property is run with enthusiasm by Philippe Chezeaux, who is gradually adopting organic viticulture. No more than 20% new oak
is used to age the wines. The style of the wines is structured without any harshness, and they can be beautifully fragrant."
Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair, Nuits-Saint-Georges
Our second tasting of the afternoon will be with the energetic Thibualt Liger-Belair. After having taken back his family's rented vineyards, Thibualt has produced excellent and highly regarded wines beginning with the 2002 vintage. Liger-Belair's wines cover three Bourgogne level wines, and then numerous 1er and grands crus bottlings in the appellations of Chambolle-Musigny, Aloxe Corton, Nuits Saint Georges, and Richebourg, to name a few.
Tonight's dinner is at Ma Cuisine, allée Ste.-Helene, Beaune. This is a Burgundy insiders' choice for fabulously fresh ingredients cooked simply and deliciously. A lively, and unpretentious atmosphere and a tremendous wine list too, both in terms of selection and price.
Day Three - Tuesday, October 21st
Domaine des Lambrays, Morey-Saint-Denis
After breakfast we will make an early start north to the quaint village of Morey-Saint-Denis, for our first wine tasting at Domaine des Lambrays. The grand cru Clos des Lambrays is an extraordinary terroir, capable of giving wines that, in generosity of savour and length rival the greatest. It is, as the domaine's longtime regisseur Thierry Brouin points out, the most "Morey" of all the Grand Crus of that appellation—the terroir really comes through. Other wines of this domaine include Morey-Saint-Denis, Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Les Loups, and tiny quantities of Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos du Cailleret, and Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatieres.
Domaine David Clark, Morey-Saint-Denis
Our second tasting of the morning will find us once again in Morey-St.-Denis, at Domaine David Clark. American-born and Scottish-raised, Clark, formerly a Formula One engineer, realized a long-held dream by in 2003 studying at the Lycée Viticole in Beaune, and then in 2004 purchasing a 2-hectare domaine of well-positioned Bourgogne appellation old vines vineyards, and a house on Morey-St.-Denis' Grande Rue. David Schildknecht in The Wine Advocate comments that "Clark is dead serious about quality and attention to detail." Wines include Bourgogne Au Pelson from vineyards just across from the Clos Vougeot, and a Bourgogne Passetoutgrain (1/3 old vines Gamay and 2/3 Pinot Noir) from a vineyard just below Roumier's Clos de la Boussiere. 17 Grande Rue, 21220 Morey St. Denis.
Lunch is at the Castel de Tres Girard. Along the celebrated "Wine Road," this lovely Bourgogne-style inn, entirely restored in 2000, mingles modern comforts with old beams and original stonework. The chef, who trained with France's greatest, prepares creative gourmet dishes. Sublime wine list featuring over 900 bottles.
Domaine Ponsot, Morey-Saint-Denis
After lunch we will visit Domaine Ponsot. With a range of unbelievable offerings from Bourgogne, Morey Saint Denis, Chambolle Musigny, Clos Saint Denis, Clos de la Roche, Griotte Chambertin, Chapelle Chambertin, Domaine Ponsot, whose wines are among the most sought after of the region, is one of the all-time great producers not only in Burgundy, but in all of France.
Then a short drive back to Beaune, where guests will spend the afternoon and evening on their own to take in Beaune's many shopping and sightseeing opportunities. Guests will be on their own for dinner tonight to discover one of this city's many wonderful restaurants with our recommendations.
Day Four - Wednesday, October 22nd
After a leisurely breakfast, guests will have time to explore Beaune on their own, visit the open-air market, or take a walking tour of the Hotel Dieu with our Burgundy Guide, Colette Barbier. The Hôtel-Dieu, a hospice founded by Nicolas Rolin and his wife in 1443, to stem the tide of poverty and famine brought along by the Hundred Years War. The style of the hospice was inspired by the architecture of the Valenciennes hospital and was designed by the Flemish master Jehan Wisecrère. The hospice is a medieval jewel with its superb multicolored Burgundian roof tiles and the magnificent central courtyard. It houses two religious masterpieces: the wooden statue Christ-de-Pitié and the altar (1442-50) by Rogier van der Weyden depicting Judgment Day along with several beautiful wall hangings.
Guests will enjoy lunch on their own today, with our recommendations.
Domaine Pascal Roblet-Monnot et Domaine Cecile Tremblay, Volnay
We will gather at 2:00pm, then travel a few kilometers south to Volnay for our first tasting in the Cote de Beaune at Domaines Roblet-Monnot and Cécile Tremblay. This husband and wife team are as perfectly matched personally as they are in terms of vineyard holdings (in their own words "of two different signatures but of one spirit"). Pascal’s family had vines predominantly in Volnay, but in Pommard as well. Cécile is the grand-niece of Henri Jayer (on her mother's side), and, from the Jayer family, has holdings principally in and around Vosne-Romanée. Together this makes an impressive range of appellations, and together they make superb Burgundies. Their wines are all "extremely well-balanced, intense but not heavy, and they will age beautifully."
Tonight dinner is at La Caveau des Arches. Opened in 1992, it "offers an incredible setting of an old wine cave with its low vaulted arches (15th Century) and warm ambience." Chef Marc Gantier "seems to have a knack or traditional Burgundian fare."
Day Five - Thursday, October 23rd
Domaine Raymond Dupont-Fahn, Meursault
Fifth generation wine-grower, Raymond Dupont-Fahn has in just a short career as winemaker, produced some stunningly great wines from humble appellations - Auxey and Bourgogne. His most unique cuvee is the Bourgogne Chaumes des Perrieres, from a vineyard adjoining Meursault Premier Cru Les Perrieres, but only classified as appellation Bourgogne. 40 year-old vines, low yields and barrel fermentation, in the hands of Raymond, yield perhaps the greatest "Bourgogne" blanc in the world.
Domaine Remi Jobard, Meursault
Our second tasting is at Domaine Rémi Jobard, in Meursault. Rémi Jobard is the "intelligent and dynamic son of Charles Jobard", the brother of Francois. "Offerings include a Bourgogne Blanc (that tastes like an excellent Meursault), then three sensational and unique Meursaults from three different lieu dits: the Sous la Velle, En Luraule, and Chevalieres, and three Premier Crus: Poruzots, Genevrieres, and Charmes. To capture all of the texture and nuance Rémi now also bottles all of his wines without filtration sixteen months after vintage. There is no telling how great his domaine can become." From Le Classement 1999 Revue du Vin de France.
Lunch is at Le Chassagne, in Chassagne-Montrachet. "Chef Stéphane Léger has bought out his former partners and the elaborated cooking at this modern resto has become even more sophisticated and pure."
Domaine Bernard Morey, Chassagne-Montrachet
Our afternoon tasting will be with Bernard Morey in Chassagne-Montrachet. Bernard Morey produces a broad range of profound white wines primarily from the great 1er cru vineyards of Chassagne, but also brilliant Puligny-Montrachet 1er cru, and his grand cru Batard-Montrachet. Morey's whites are at once savory with minerality and fruit, yet imbued with brilliant acidity that lends focus and freshness to these wines. Morey's red wines, from appellations near Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet and Maranges are deliciously fruit forward and friendly.
Dinner tonight is at the 1-Star Michelin Le Jardin des Remparts. Perhaps Beaune's finest restaurant.
Day Six - Friday, October 24th
Early morning departure today for a shuttle back to the Dijon Rail station for trains to Paris and beyond. (Time to be confirmed).
Summary of what is included:
Full information and welcome package.
Welcome reception with local wine.
5 Night's Luxury accommodation in 'Deluxe' guestrooms at the Hotel Le Cep.
Pick up and drop off at Dijon train station and all transfers during the tour.
Private walking tour of Beaune.
5 breakfasts.
3 lunches; 4 dinners.
Entries to all private wine tastings throughout the region.
All luggage transfers
New in 2008 - All beverages during the seven meals are provided in the price of the tour. What this means is that ample red and white wines, still and sparkling bottled water, and coffee or tea will be served along with all seven meals provided as part of this tour. Additional aperitifs or digestives will be the responsibility of individuals.
$3649 per person (price does not include airfare)
Single supplement $625.00
To make a reservation we require a $750 deposit per person. You may pay with personal check or money order made payable to Martin & Keegan LLC.
The balance of your trip is due 60 days before trip departure. Refunds of deposits will be sent less a 10% cancellation fee provided that written cancellation is received at least 60 days prior to departure date. After that time any monies paid are forfeited. There is no refund for arriving late or leaving a trip early.
Martin&Keegan LLC reserves the right to make changes to itineraries due to unforeseen circumstances. In the unlikely event that Martin&Keegan LLC has to cancel a tour, you will receive a full refund. Martin&Keegan LLC cannot be held responsible for any personal expenses incurred due to changes in itinerary or trip cancellation
Mamimum 14 guests; minimum 6 guests.
To book a reservation or for further information,
please contact Peter Martin at
pmartin@petermartinphotographer.com
www.PeterMartinPhotographer.com
Canada - 1 (416) 841 0901
America- 1 (410) 279 3922
France- 011-33-625 576 785
