Givry’s sensational monopole 1er cru value: Clos Salomon

This is the entryway to the Clos Salomon of Givry, in Burgundy’s southern Cote Chalonnaise.  History has seen the waning tides of fashion come and go, but the gently sloped, southeast facing limestone and clay driven soils of this patch of Givry has produced wines that have always been recognized for their excellence.  A Domaine since the 1300s, its wines were once a direct supplier of the Pope in Avignon.  Burgundy historian Claude Courtepee called it the “Volnay of the Chalonnais” and the “best of the province” over two hundred years ago (how’s that for some press!! how many points??!!?).  It has been in the hands of the current owner, the du Gardin family, for over three hundred years.  Today, it is run by the hilarious, down to earth, and dynamic young duo of Ludovic du Gardin and Fabrice Perrotto, and these lads are starting to turn some heads…….http://www.du-gardin.com/clossalomon/domaine.html
I meet with Ludo on a cool day in mid September.  I bicycle down from Beaune, taking notice of how the landscape becomes even more pastoral and farmerly the further that I ride from the royalty of the Cote.  I had never been to Givry, and so Ludo takes me out for a spin in his old beater of a car to show me the lay of the land.  What I see reinforces what I taste among Givry’s finest: this amphiteatre of gently sloped argilo-calcaire grown pinot noir has all of the raw ingredients needed for great Burgundy.  Ludo and Fabrice continue to push quality to a level that is a reflection of their devotion, knowledge, and care for this monopole 1er cru.  Their vineyard work is all organic; they plow by horse.  And it all hits home, in the glass, in undeniable deliciousness.
Here is Allen Meadows of the Burghound’s review of the 2009:

Here are the wines:

2009 Clos Salomon Givry 1er cru la Grande Berge blanc: $32
From a parcel a kilometer or so south of the Clos, at slightly higher altitude.  Aged in 20% new wood, this wine has a great balance of weight and cut, richness with mineral tension.  They are the only producers in blanc 1er at this site.  I’m the only person importing it to the US. 125 cases made.

2008 Clos Salomon Givry monopole 1er rouge: $39, or $35 in a part of a six pack(i’ve only got 9 of these left).  This one got 91 in the Burghound, and is also delicious in the vein of 2008s: a bit more structured and classical.

2009 Clos Salomon Givry monopole 1er rouge: $39 or $35 by the six-pack.  I’ve also brought in the only Magnums of this wine in the US, $89 per 1.5L.
This is actually the highest rated Givry wine that Meadows has reviewed, alongside some Joblot 09s that I also have…..

These are the best prices nationally, even at the 1 bottle price.  Delicious, savory, and ageworthy Burgundy such as this at this price is not something you see too often.  Givry, at its best, overdelivers in a way that is all too rare on the Cote.  Come see what Ludo and Fabrice are up to…..
Email me with any questions or orders at rob@downtoearthwines.net.