On Feb 17, 10:38*am, "Zeppo" > wrote:
> "DaleW" > wrote in message
>
> ...
>
> > With leftover chicken, broccoli stem pickles, and salad, the 2006
> > Drouhin "Vero" Bourgogne (rouge). *Lighter side of pinot, red cherries
> > and strawberries, some floral notes, bright acidity, light tannins.
> > Tasty, but not especially deep or complex. A fair deal at $15, though
> > nothing to get excited about. B
>
> I had this new years eve and thought it was pretty good. I realized later
> this was my first French pinot. I read later this was a new direction for
> Drouhin, assembled from grapes from their properties all over Burgundy
> (though it sounded like a marketing driven product).
>
> Could you recommend some 'next steps' in expanding my experience with French
> pinot noirs?
>
> TIA,
> Jon

I think the Vero is indeed drawn from assorted Drouhin properties,
mostly lesser appellations, but some young Chambolle and Volnay fruit,
too.

The problem (ok, one of many problems) with Burg recs is unlike Bdx or
Napa, few wines made in big quantities. So without knowing where you
shop, hard to know what you could find. On same price level as the
Vero, you can probably fine solid Bourgognes from good negociants like
Potel or Dominique Laurent (the latter famous for heavily oaked wines,
but that seems to be the upper wines,. his Bourgogne #1 doesn't
usually show much oak). A bit more buys you Bourgognes from some good
growers- I tend to buy Lafarge, Chevillon, Bachelet, Barthod,
Marechal. If you want to explore individual village wines, you could
try:
Drouhin's Chorey
Bize, Marechal or Pavelot's Savigny
Bart's Fixin
Lafouge's Auxey-Duresses

Of course, tastes differ. I don't like Frederic Magnien much, but
other people love, and well-priced.