Aged 1er Cru Burgundy Steal
2002 Chapelle Santenay
1er Cru Les Gravières
It's impossible not to lead with the price, but we need to follow-up by saying that this is classic mineral-laden Red Burgundy.
This is one of those exceedingly rare moments where price, quality and a great vintage intersect. For people looking for soulful Burgundy with age at gentle pricing, this is a don't miss.
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I'm constantly on the hunt for deals like this, and I have to say that I can't remember the last time I hit a combination like this one.
The 1er Cru Les Gravières is widely considered the best 1er Cru of Santenay. Santenay is one of those under-the-radar villages of Burgundy. Santenay at its best, like Chapelle's Les Gravières, is a glorious study in mineral and game, dark fruit and flowers.
Domaine Paul Chapelle was founded in 1976. Chapelle had spent almost a decade consulting for the top names in Burgundy - Ramonet, Lafarge, de Montille, Pousse d’Or, etc - before inheriting a parcel of old vines in Gravières.
Chapelle's style has remained traditionally styled throughout. This combined with the inherent shyness of Santenay makes Chapelle's wines quiet when they are young. With age, though, the wines explode with a wild minerality, earth, leather and perfume. Thankfully, the Chapelles hold some of their wines back and release them as they enter a drinking window.
Needless to say, the wines age very, very well. Chapelle's wines still show gloriously at thirty years old.
The 2002 Gravières is just starting to enter its drinking window and promises to continue to age beautifully. 2002, along with 1999, 2005 and 2010, was one of the great vintages of recent years.
The 2002 vintage in Burgundy produced reds with impressive concentration, length, complexity and overall balance. It really has it all. There's a velvety texture that adds a fascinating extra dimension to Santenay, which is a more earthbound wine.
As I mentioned earlier, this is one of the greatest deals I've come across in a very long time. Finding quality Red Burgundy with age on it is always difficult, and finding it at this price point is almost impossible. Our advice is to jump on this.
To order, please email us at offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Ian McFadden
Director, Fine & Rare Wine
Crush Wine & Spirits