As you know we love our Barrel Projects here at Honest Grapes though even in this context, we have pulled off what many thought was unthinkable. No, it is not stable nuclear fusion, sadly, though in the context of wine, it is not far off! We are able to offer a worldwide exclusive, and to our knowledge the first-ever such project with the maison: 2022 Philippe Pacalet Vosne-Romanée ‘Cuvée Honest Grapes’, a unique new Syndicate Barrel, chosen especially for our members by Philippe.
The average age of the vines in Philippe’s Vosne-Romanée is 45-years old, and the parcels now include some exceptionally well-placed sites that Burgundy fanatics will drool over, including Premier Cru ‘Aux Brulees’ and ‘Les Barreaux’, which sits directly above Richebourg Grand Cru and the famous Premier Crus Les Petits Monts and Cros Parantoux. Using only the free run juice from the press, the crème de la crème, the specific barrel was carefully selected by Philippe “for its floral, elegant and structured character” and it blew us away away tasting in the cellar back in November. It will be bottled by hand and with a special label for syndicate members.
Pacalet’s status cannot be overstated. Formerly winemaker for Domaine Prieuré-Roch, with specific responsibility for their Vosne-Romanée sites, Philippe set up his own operation and, farming biodynamically, insisting on 100% whole bunch fermentations, only natural yeasts, no additional sulphites and with a marked preference for old oak, results in unforgettable, distinctive wines. Steen Ohman of Winehog.com comments “I enjoy Pacalet’s wines, and they almost always provide (for me at least) essential hedonistic joy... Painting with a low-sulphur, whole-cluster brush, the wine will often end up on the impressionistic side, with its soul and emotional content as the main elements.”
Pacalet’s philosophy is all about preserving the integrity of the grapes and avoiding oxidation as naturally as possible and he works some great parcels of vines across the Cote d’Or including Corton-Charlemagne, Échézeaux and Ruchottes-Chambertin Grand Crus, but the quality is equally spread across all appellations and levels. Taking a cross section of twelve of Pacalet’s wines back in January - village, premier and grand crus - the average price increase across the 2019 and 2020 vintages since release was 33%, with certain cuvées at all different levels (not just Grand Cru) achieving gains of 63+%.It is therefore essential to buy on release. Having long since reached cult status, his wines are now amongst Burgundy’s most sought after.
As well as owning a share in a seriously exciting project, each buyer is also invited to an private tasting with Philippe himself here in London on the 11th March in which we will present this exact cuvee, alongside a host of other wines (details below) – if you aren’t free for that, you’ll get first dibs on our annual Hospices trip in November, or some other such exclusive to ensure you are suitably well-looked after for your wine needs, if you prefer!
This really is an incredibly special opportunity and one which I am delighted to be able to offer to you.
2022 VOSNE ROMANEE "CUVEE HONEST GRAPES"
PHILIPPE PACALET
£1,980 IB PER SHARE (12x75cl)
£990 IB PER 1/2 SHARE (6x75cl)
Each share includes an invitation to a private tasting with Philippe as below
PHILIPPE PACALET TASTING
Date: 11th March 2024
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Location: Secret location, NW3
Spaces: 14 available
Wines on taste (retail value £1,400):
Bulles NV
Condrieu 2019
Meursault 2020
Gevrey Chambertin 2020
Vosne-Romanée “Cuvée Honest Grapes” 2022 EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW
Nuits St Georges 1er Argillas 2019
Pommard 1er Cru Les Charmots 2019
Corton Bressandres Grand Cru 2017
Moulin a Vent 2018
The wine tasting will be accompanied by charcuterie, breads and a cheeseboard.
If you are unable to join for the tasting, you’ll get first refusal to join our annual Burgundy Syndicates trip in November, or a future tasting with Philippe to ensure you get full value.
Offered subject to final confirmation. Offered en primeur, available 2024/2025