Underpromise and Overdeliver
2009 Guillaume Pinot Noir
In Praise of Beauty, Simplicity and Value
Guillaume's main business is a vine nursery where they supply many of the world's top wineries, including Domaine Romanee Conti.
They also moonlight as winemakers themselves.
As far as we're concerned, they can quit their day jobs.
In 2009, their Pinot Noir overdelivers so profoundly that we've crowned it our first "Back Up the Truck" offer of 2012.
Burgundy lovers should take notice (and take some stock): This Pinot Noir can compete with wines from the Cote d'Or at more than double (triple?) the price.
Pinot Noir fans and really anyone looking for extreme value should pause, if just for a moment. At $16.95 on bottles and $14.50 on 6-packs, 2009 Guillaume is the best Pinot Noir deal that we've encountered in a very long time.
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This is our second offering of the Guillaume Pinot - we first came across this wine in 2006 when we offered out the 2004. The last few years have been good, we've carried the wine, but the 2009 really blew us away.
As you've likely heard, this is a ripe vintage and somehow the Guillaume has all the positives of the vintage (more depth, concentration, fruit, flavor) with none of the negatives (higher alcohols, blousiness, lack of acidity or refreshment).
It's just delicious.
When you think about the disconnect between price and quality, it's striking, but not surprising. What you have is the confluence of pedigree, viticultural know-how and a really obscure, but well chosen, location. How couldn't something impressive and affordable result?
Guillaume's vineyards are located in the Franche-Comté in eastern France about a hundred kilometers northeast from Beaune, the heart of Burgundy. Pinot Noir seems to strive in the area's cool climate and marly soils - yet the real estate here is considerably less expensive than in Burgundy proper. Which goes some distance in explaining the sort of absurdly low price.
Guillaume's Pinot Noir has the lightness of body and briskness to be perfect for the warmer weather ahead of us - whether it's an inspired pairing with spring's bounty of vegetables or with a slight chill in the summer.
You're strongly advised to stock up - you'll notice the special 6-pack pricing for that very reason.
The 2009 Guillaume Pinot Noir falls into the category of wines that delight us but are all too often overlooked. These are wines that underpromise and overdeliver in a serious way. They come in at humble price points and they don't strive for greatness. In many ways, this is why they succeed. They do what they do simply, beautifully.
Guillaume's 09 Pinot Noir is joyous - the sort of wine that you want to always have on hand for weekday meals, when friends stop by, when the moment calls for something simple, something honest, something delicious.
To order, please email us at offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Joe Salamone
Wine Buyer
Crush Wine & Spirits