NICOLAS POTEL STREASURES OF BURGUNDY ... more muscular style of Volnay due to the extremely old vines. Premier cru quality at a villages price. Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes A

NICOLAS POTEL’S TREASURES OF BURGUNDY&

2015 VINTAGE PRE-ARRIVAL OFFER

March/April 2017

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Burgundy — The Côte d’Or

Loosen Bros. USA 1 Bellene Pre-Sell Guide


NICOLAS POTEL’S BURGUNDY MICRO-NÉGOCIANT

Maison Roche de Bellene

The new négociant company was founded by Nicolas in 2009,after his forced departure from his former négociant company,Maison Nicolas Potel. At Roche de Bellene the terroir-focusedwinemaking philosophy is the same as at the original Maison,which he founded in 1998. Nicolas has maintained his rela-tionships with the best growers that he has worked with overthe past 15 years, and continually finds new ones.The emphasis at Roche de Bellene is on individual terroirs

from vieilles vignes (old vines — 40 years or older) that arefarmed responsibly. All of the growers that Nicolas workswith are either BIO certified or farming according to the prin-ciples of lutte raisonée (“sustainable viticulture”). This enablesNicolas to consistently produce the expressive, terroir-drivenstyle that is his vision.Nicolas and his winemaker work closely with the growers

to make decisions about vineyard practices, crop reduction(“green harvest”), harvest dates and the fermentation regimen.As soon as the fermentations are complete, the wines are putinto Bellene barrels and the élevage is done by Nicolas at theRoche de Bellene facility.Currently, Nicolas is purchasing fermented wines from the

growers, but he is expanding the winery so that he can receivepressed juice and begin fermenting the wines himself. He alsohas plans to build a new winery for Roche de Bellene so thathe can receive the harvested fruit and control the entire wine-making process, from pressing to fermentation to élevage.As at Domaine de Bellene, Nicolas strives to employ strict

environmental standards at Maison Roche de Bellene, basedon Canada’s HQE (Haute Qualité Environnementale) model.

Vineyard & Wine Sources

Wines are sourced from growers throughout the Côte d’Orand Côte Chalonnaise:

About the name BelleneThe name comes from “Belenos,” an ancient Gallic god of sun andbeauty. It is the origin of the city name, Beaune, which was called“Belena” in Roman times, and “Bellene” in the Middle Ages.

www.maisonrochedebellene.com

CÔTE DE BEAUNE• Chassagne-Montrachet• Meursault• Puligny-Montrachet• Saint-Aubin• Saint Roman• Volnay• Beaune• Savigny-les-Beaune• Aloxe-Corton

CÔTE DE NUITS• Chambolle-Musigny• Gevrey-Chambertin• Nuits-Saint-Georges• Vosne-Romanée• VougeotCÔTE CHALONNAISE• MontagnyMÂCON• Saint-Véran

Vineyards in Gevrey-Chambertin.


The Burgundy Region

The Wines of Maison Roche de BelleneThe range of Roche de Bellene wines includes a broad selection of Villages, Premier Cru and Grand Cru appellations from boththe Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits. The core U.S. import selection is shown here. For information about other Maisonwines (available on a pre-arrival basis), as well as wines from the Domaine, please inquire.

Côte de Nuits

Côte de Beaune

Côte Chalonnaise

White Wines (core selection)

Bourgogne Chardonnay Vieilles VignesThe entry-level white Burgundy comes from old-vine parcelsin the Côte de Beaune and Côte Chalonnaise. The vines havean average age of 65 years. Native yeast fermentation in large(600-liter) oak barrels (10% new).

Meursault Vieilles VignesThis villages wine is from sustainably farmed vines inMeursault that are 48 to 62 years old. It spent 15 months inlarge oak barrels (33% new) and captures the full, rich style ofthis famous village while maintaining a fine structure.

Saint-Aubin VillagesThe village of Saint-Aubin is in a side valley, just to the westof Chassagne-Montrachet. This wine is from 48-year-old vinesin a south/southeast-facing site that produces a luscious, opulent style of Saint-Aubin.

Red Wines (core selection)

Bellenos Cuvée Rouge (Coteaux Bourguignons)Coteaux Bourguignons (“Hills of Burgundy”) is a new appel-lation created to showcase the classic taste of the entire region,from south to north. This is 80% mineral-inflected Gamayfrom the southern Beaujolais area, blended with finely struc-tured Pinot Noir from the Côte d’Or in the north.

Bourgogne Pinot Noir Vieilles VignesFrom old-vine vineyards in the Côte de Beaune and Côte deNuits. The majority of this cuvée is matured in barriques andthe remainder is produced in stainless steel. This maintains apure style with bright fruit and a fine texture.

Savigny-les-Beaune Vieilles VignesThis wine comes from naturally low-yielding old-vine parcelsin this village that lies between the city of Beaune and thefamous “Corton hill.” This earthy wine exhibits the morerustic style of wines that emanate from this appellation

Volnay Vieilles VignesBeing born and raised in Volnay, it makes sense that NicolasPotel has the vineyard sources to make serious villagesVolnay. A more muscular style of Volnay due to the extremelyold vines. Premier cru quality at a villages price.

Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles VignesA perennial lead horse in the Bellene stable, this superlativeGevrey delivers a profile of black fruits, moist earth and aglimmer of sauvage. Old vines impart an extra dimension ofvinosity and sap.

Nuits-Saint-Georges Vieilles VignesThis appellation lies on both sides of the town of Nuits-St-Georges, and incorporates the vineyards of neighbouringPrémeaux-Prissey to the south. The wines are are typicallysturdy and long lived, although those from sites neighboringVosne-Romanée to the north show the most fruit and elegance.

Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru, Aux BoudotsThis excellent premier cru vineyard lies just on the northernborder of Nuits-Saint-Georges, adjacent to Malconsorts inVosne-Romanée. From a parcel planted in 1953, this wine hasa complex aroma of berries and dried flowers, with an earthypungency and fine structural density.

Corton Grand CruThis is from a southeast-facing parcel on the Ladoix-Serrignyside of the famous Corton hill that was planted in 1982. Agedin 50% new oak, it shows the purity of fruit and firm texturethat are typical of the appellation.


NICOLAS POTEL’S BURGUNDY DOMAINE

The Origins of Domaine de Bellene

The new domaine was born in 2005, when some of the growersNicolas Potel had been working with decided to stop their ownproduction and proposed that he take over their vineyards.Nicolas saw this as the ideal opportunity to realize his long-held desire to control the entire production chain, fromvineyard to market, in order to ensure the highest level ofauthenticity and quality.In 2006, Nicolas acquired the Domaine, located on

Faubourg Saint Nicolas in Beaune. Originally a Cistercianabbey built in the 16th century, the cellars and buildings arebeing renovated according to very strict environmental stan-dards (following Canada’s Haute Qualité Environnementaleregulations). Nicolas takes environmental responsibility veryseriously and it is being integrated into all aspects of the estate:buildings, vineyards, cellar work, energy conservation andgeneration, and packaging materials.With a winemaking facility secured, it was time to equip it

with all the tools needed to produce pure, expressive wines thatrespect the innate quality of the fruit: temperature-controlled,stainless steel tanks for fermentation; a gentle destemmingmachine; a vibrating sorting table; a pneumatic horizontalpress for the reds and a stainless steel vertical basket press forthe whites — all in a gravity-flow arrangement that eliminatesthe need for harsh pumping.

THE FIRST HARVEST AT THE DOMAINE was in 2007, whichat that time comprised 13.85 hectares (34.2 acres) of vineyardsfrom Santenay to Côtes de Nuits-Villages. In 2009, theDomaine acquired a small estate that had 4.5 hectares of beau-tiful vineyards in Nuits-Saint-Georges and Vosne-Romanée.

From the beginning, the Domaine vineyards were farmedaccording to organic principals, to preserve the unique soilstructure and microbial life of each parcel. In 2009, they beganto use draft horses to work certain vineyards, in order to havea gentler footprint and to reduce erosion and soil compaction.The Domaine now has two draft horses of their own, namedQuezy D’Beauvais and Romeo du Moulin.In 2010, three more parcels were acquired in Meursault

Premier Cru, Beaune Villages and the excellent BeaunePremier Cru “Les Bressandes.” This year also saw the begin-ning of some vineyard renewal work. A few of the oldestparcels were cleared and planted with cover crops to restorethe soil before being replanted (the cover crops also providednatural forage for the draft horses!).

AFTER FOUR YEARS OFWORK to convert all of the vineyardsto organic viticulture, the Domaine received certification in2011. But, after the 2013 harvest, they voluntarily gave up thiscertification because of the leafhopper infestation. The onlyapproved organic insecticide is very effective but not at allselective — it kills everything. During the 2013 harvest, theysaw that the fruit was coming in without the desirable insectlife (bees, ladybugs, earwigs). So they decided to switch to asynthetic insecticide that is highly selective and protects thegood bugs, including the very important pollinators.Another 1.5 hectares of vineyards were added in 2014, in

Auxey-Duresses, Monthélie and Aloxe-Corton. These parcelsare being revitalized to restore soil health, replace dead ordiseased vines with the Domaine’s own massal selections, andto establish a new, higher trellis system that will encouragebetter foilage for healthier vines and higher fruit quality.


THE VINEYARDS AND WINES OF DOMAINE DE BELLENE

The Vineyards

Domaine de Bellene now owns 60 acres of vineyards throughoutthe Côte d’Or, from Santenay in the south, to Vosne-Romanéein the north. The focus is on vieilles vignes (old vines – 40 years orolder) in distinctive terroirs. Newly acquired parcels of very oldvines are being renewed and, in some cases, replanted by sélectionmassale — no clones are used.

Appellations include:• Beaune 1er Cru, Clos du Roi• Beaune 1er Cru, Les Grèves• Beaune 1er Cru, Les Pertuisots• Beaune 1er Cru, Les Teurons• Côte de Nuits-Villages• Meursault, Les Forges• Nuits-Saint-Georges Villages• Saint-Romain Villages• Savigny-lès-Beaune Villages• Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru, Les Hauts Jarrons• Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru, Les Peuillets• Vosne-Romanée Villages, Les Quartiers de Nuits• Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru, Les Suchots

The Winemaking

At harvest time, very careful and selective hand picking intosmall bins ensures that the best fruit reaches the winery inperfect condition. At the winery, a finer selection is done onthe vibrating sorting table, which also removes insects, burstberries and any other unwanted material.In the cellar, vinification is minimalist. Fermentation starts

naturally, with indigenous yeasts. No enzymes, cultured yeastsor acid adjustments are used and filtration is avoided.Depending on the vintage, the Pinot Noir fruit is gentlydestemmed, but not crushed, and the whole berries are trans-ferred to the fermenters by gravity. In most years, a few daysof cold maceration are allowed before fermentation begins toextract color and natural enzymes from the skins.During fermentation, no artificial light is allowed in order

to minimize the loss of beneficial, light-sensitive compounds,such as resvératrol. Pump-overs of the must are also done withgravity, and pigeage is employed to gently break up the cap.The Chardonnays are pressed in a manually operated,

vertical basket press, which allows for long, gentle pressingover six to eight hours. This results in clear juice that does notneed filtration. It also allows immediate oxidation of thosecompounds that are sensitive to oxygen, thus reducing the riskof premature oxidation of the finished wines and minimizingthe need for sulfur. Gravity flow is then used once again tomove the wines gently from the fermenters to the barrels.

NICOLAS POTEL’S GOAL AT DOMAINE DE BELLENE is toproduce pure, characterful wines that are clear expressions oftheir classic Burgundy terroirs. And he wants to do this in away that works with nature as much as possible, with minimalimpact on the land and the environment.

“What I am searching for is definition — definition of place.”

— Nicolas Potel

Working with horse power in the Domaine’s very old parcel of BeaunePremier Cru, Les Grèves, planted in 1904.

The Côte d’Or

Santenay

Meursault

Beaune

DOMAINE DE BELLENESt-Romain

Savigny-les-Beaune

Côtes de Nuits-Villages

Nuits-St-Georges

Vosne-Romanée


2015 BELLENE BURGUNDIES

Great Wines from a Great Vintage

The 2015 vintage represents a high water mark in terms of quality at Nicolas Potel’s Roche de Bellene and Domainede Bellene enterprises. Nicolas Potel’s enthusiasm for the wines is profound: “2015 is a magnificent vintage for thededicated vigneron. Harvest began on September 7th and ended on September 15th. Although the vintage seemedto be early, we preferred to wait until the maturity of the grape was optimal to harvest. The wines are rich in colorand show a complex aromatic palette and a beautiful structure.”

Allen Meadows, Burghound

2015—A Great Vintage, Indeed the Greatest Since the Legendary 2005“Hot and dry worked in 2015 because it is a genuinely great vintage and it’s a great vintage from top to bottom. Infact, in all my years of visiting Burgundy I have never seen a better vintage for wines at the bottom of the appellationhierarchy. To be sure, it’s great at the top as well but if ever there was a vintage to explore for value, it’s this one. Theweather pattern resulted in firmly structured but not hard wines as the supporting tannins are typically dense butfine-grained and this is true even among terroirs that are often rustic.”

Stephen Tanzer, Vinous

2015 Burgundy: You Are So Going To Want Them“It is clear that 2015 will be one of the half-dozen top vintages for red Burgundy of the past generation. The vintage’sstandout wines—and there are a lot of them in 2015—offer a rare combination of succulent deep fruit, mouth-fillingdensity of texture, ripe fine-grained tannins, and enough energy to ensure at least mid-term ageability. In terms of theirconsistent quality and broad appeal, 2015 will be a difficult vintage to top.”

“Vintage 2015 stands out for its fruit concentration, texture and depth. The vintage displays a distinct tendency towardripe darker fruits. In general, I was pleasantly surprised by the sappiness and energy of the young ‘15s in Novemberand December. As a rule, the wines have also digested their oak well—or at least have the strength of material tosupport their wood element.”

“The very warm, dry growing season of 2015 yielded Burgundy’s fleshiest, most opulent white wines since at least2009. The 2015 whites are clean, pure and rich, favoring ripe orchard and soft citrus fruits over minerality, as is typicalof very warm, sunny years.”

2015 Maison Roche de Bellene Meursault Premier Cru, Les CharmesMeursault is a large and prosperous village in the Côte de Beaune, producing mostly white wines. Although Meursaultcontains no grand cru vineyards, the quality of it’s best premiers crus is rarely surpassed. Les Charmes is the biggest ofthe three major vineyards and produces the most forward wines, seductive even in their youth.

Technical Info

• Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay• Density of planting: 10,000 vines per hectare (4,000 per acre)• Age of vines: 45 years• Exposition: Southeast; upper mid-slope, 230–260 meters elevation• Vineyard management: Lutte raisonée (sustainable)• Harvest method: Hand picking• Harvest date: September 2–7, 2015• Yield: 42 hl/ha• Vinification: No crushing. Juice extracted at low pressure with pneumatic press. Long, cool

settling. Native yeast fermentation in barrels. • Elevage: Aged 16 months in French oak barrels (20% new). Racked before a light fining.

Gentle filtration before bottling.• Bottling date: November 9, 2016• Alcohol: 13.5%• Total production: 120 cases

2015 Domaine de Bellene Savigny-les-Beaune blancThis wine is sourced from four different villages vineyards in Savigny-lès-Beaune. These parcels were acquired by theDomaine in 2005 and 2006, and were immediately converted to organic viticulture to restore the vitality and potential ofthe moderately old vines. After years of chemical farming, some of the parcels had to be completely replanted.

Technical Info

Grape variety: ChardonnayVineyard surface: 1.67 haLieu-dits: Les Planchots – deep gravel soil; replanted from selection massale in 2005

Champs Pruniers – planted in 1930; converted from conventional to organic in 2006Dessus de Vermots – situated on the slope with direct southern exposure; planted in 1985Les Pimentiers – planted in 2010

Exposition: SoutheastSoil type: Clay and limestoneVineyard management: OrganicHarvest method: Hand picking into small binsHarvest date: September 8, 2015Vinification: Long, gentle pressing; two days settling; native yeast fermentation; 100% malolactic

fermentationElevage: 12 months in 600-liter and 450-liter barrels (30% new); light Bentonite fining before

bottlingBottling date: November 9, 2016Alcohol: 13.5%Total production: 850 cases

2015 VINTAGE WHITE WINES


2015 Maison Roche de Bellene Chambolle-Musigny Vieilles VignesChambolle-Musigny is one of the most highly regarded villages of the Côtes de Nuits, revered for the elegant, delicatelyfloral style of its wines. This wine is naturally fermented and spends 18 months in barrique. It is a bit more masculineand broad-shouldered due to vines that range from 50 to 70 years old.

Technical Info

• Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir• Density of planting: 10,000 vines per hectare (4,000 per acre)• Age of vines: 50 to 70 years• Exposition: East, southeast; 250–350 meters elevation• Vineyard management: Lutte raisonée (sustainable)• Harvest method: Hand picking• Harvest date: September 10, 2015• Yield: 45 hl/ha• Vinification: Cool maceration for 7 days. Native yeast fermentation in temperature-controlled

stainless steel. Gentle pump-over only, no punchdown or pigeage. Gentle pressingin a pneumatic press. 100% malolactic fermentation.

• Elevage: Aged 14 months in French oak (20% new; 25% one-year oak; 55% older barrels). No fining. Light filtration before bottling.

• Bottling date: March 3, 2017• Alcohol: 13.0%• Total production: 153 cases

2015 Maison Roche de Bellene Vosne-Romanée Vieilles VignesThis legendary village in the Côte de Nuits, between Nuits-Saint-Georges and Vougeot, is home to many of the greatestgrand cru vineyards in all of Burgundy. The wines are highly prized around the world for their unique balance of struc-tural density, power and finesse.

Technical Info

• Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir• Vineyard surface: 0.34 ha• Density of planting: 10,000 vines per hectare (4,000 per acre)• Age of vines: 50 to 60 years• Exposition: East; 250 meters elevation• Soil type: Clay, limestone• Vineyard management: Lutte raisonée (sustainable)• Harvest method: Hand picking• Harvest date: September 9, 2015• Yield: 45 hl/ha• Vinification: Gentle crushing; 50% de-stemmed. Cool maceration and native yeast fermentation

in temperature-controlled stainless steel. Gentle pump-over and some pigeage.Gentle pressing in a pneumatic press. 100% malolactic fermentation.

• Elevage: Aged 18 months in French oak (20% new). No fining; no filtration.• Bottling date: February 9, 2017• Alcohol: 13.0%• Total production: 212 cases

2015 VINTAGE RED WINES


2015 Maison Roche de Bellene Gevrey-Chambertin Premierer Cru, ChampeauxThis outstanding premier cru site is in the area of Gevrey-Chambertin known as the Côtes St. Jacques, on the hillsideabove the village. The Champeaux vineyard is near the top of the slope and is adjacent to the Combes aux Moinespremier cru.

Technical Info

• Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir• Age of vines: 45 years• Exposition: East. Steep slope, 320 meters elevation• Soil type: Clay, limestone• Vineyard management: Lutte raisonée (sustainable)• Harvest method: Hand picking; sorting while picking and at the winery• Harvest date: September 27, 2015• Yield: 42 hl/ha• Vinification: Gentle crushing and de-stemming. Cool maceration and

native yeast fermentation in temperature-controlled stainlesssteel. Gentle pump-over only, no punchdown or pigeage.Gentle pressing in a pneumatic press.

• Elevage: Aged 14 months in French oak (55% new). No fining or filtration.• Bottling date: March 9, 2017• Alcohol: 13.5%• Total production: 66 cases

2015 Maison Roche de Bellene Corton Grand CruThe famous hill of Corton is adjacent to the village of Aloxe-Corton, in the northern part of the Côte de Beaune. It isequally renowned for the quality of its white wines, as well as red. The vines for this bottling are situated within the eastto southeast-facing Corton-Renardes appellation.

Technical Info

• Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir• Density of planting: 10,000 vines per hectare (4,000 per acre)• Age of vines: 30 years• Exposition: East, southeast. Steep slope, 280 meters elevation• Soil type: Clay, limestone• Vineyard management: Lutte raisonée (sustainable)• Harvest method: Hand picking• Harvest date: September 10, 2015• Yield: 30 hl/ha• Vinification: Gentle crushing without de-stemming. Cool maceration and

native yeast fermentation in temperature-controlled stainlesssteel. Gentle pump-over and pigeage. Gentle pressing in apneumatic press. 100% malolactic fermentation.

• Elevage: Aged 16 months in French oak (50% new). No fining or filtration.• Bottling date: March 9, 2017• Alcohol: 13.5%• Total production: 230 cases



2015 Domaine de Bellene Savigny-les-Beaune Vieilles VignesThis cuvée is a blend of three parcels located very close to the Savigny-lès-Beaune Chardonnay parcels. All three vine-yards are more than 60 years old and were converted to organic viticulture when they were acquired by the Domaine in2005 and 2006.

Technical Info

Grape variety: Pinot NoirVineyard surface: 1.01 haLieu-dits: Les Vermots – planted in 1950; selection massale from Beaune Grêves

Aux Champs Pruniers – planted in 1930Les Planchots – acquired in 2005

Age of vines: 66 years averageExposition: South-southeast; 283 meters elevationVineyard management: OrganicHarvest method: Hand picking; sorting while picking and at the wineryHarvest date: September 7, 2015Vinification: 100% whole-cluster fermentation. Pigeage in low light to preserve trans-resvératrol.

Gentle pressing in a vertical press.Elevage: 14 months in French oak barriques (20% new);

light Bentonite fining at bottling.Bottling date: December 8, 2016Alcohol: 13.0%Total production: 200 cases

2015 Domaine de Bellene Nuits-Saint-Georges Vieilles VignesThe small town of Nuits-Saint-Georges lies at the epicenter of the Côtes de Nuits, just south of Vosne-Romanée. Thereare no grands crus, but a number of excellent premiers crus. South of the town, sites such as Les Saint-Georges producevery elegant wines. To the north, near Vosne-Romanée, a more powerful style of wine is produced. This wine is fromthree different parcels located in this northern side of Nuits-St.-Georges.

Technical Info

Grape variety: Pinot NoirVineyard surface: 1.85 haLieu-dits: Les Argillats – planted in 1955; a small part replanted in 2013

Les Charmottes – planted between 1900 and 1960Aux Chouillets Saint-Julien – planted in 1938; half replanted in 2012

Age of vines: 67 years averageExposition: East, southeastVineyard management: OrganicHarvest method: Hand picking into small binsHarvest date: September 12–14, 2015Vinification: 100% whole-cluster fermentation. Pigeage in low light to preserve trans-resvératrol.

Gentle pressing in a vertical press.Elevage: 14 months in 600-liter, French oak demi-muids (30% new); no fining;

light filtration at bottlingBottling date: January 30, 2017Alcohol: 13.0%Total production: 515 cases



Domaine de Bellene2015 Beaune 1er Cru, Cuvée du Cinquantenaire

Domaine de BelleneNicolas Potel founded Domaine de Bellene in 2005, when some of the smallgrowers he had been working with decided to stop their own production andproposed that he take over their vineyards. Nicolas saw this as the ideal oppor-tunity to realize his long-held desire to control the entire production chain, fromvineyard to market, in order to ensure the highest level of authenticity and qual-ity. His goal at Domaine de Bellene is to produce pure, characterful wines thatare clear expressions of their classic Burgundy terroirs.

Beaune Premier Cru, Cuvée du Cinquantenaire

This is a cuvée of five premier cru sites in Beaune that Nicolas Potel inauguratedin 2014 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his father, Gérard, starting atDomaine de la Pousse d’Or, in 1964.

Technical Info

Grape variety: Pinot NoirVineyard surface: 1.36 haPremier Crus: Pertuisots— 0.22 hectare, planted in 1963

Montée Rouge— 0.23 hectare, planted in 1982Les Bressandes— 0.22 hectare, planted in 1961Clos du Roi— 0.45 hectare, planted in 1962Reversées— 0.25 hectare, planted in 1971

Exposition: East, southeast; 262 meters elevationSoil type: Clay and limestoneVineyard management: OrganicHarvest method: Hand picking into small binsHarvest date: September 8, 2015Vinification: Whole-cluster fermentation with native yeasts; Pigeage in low light

to preserve trans-resvératrol. Gentle pressing in a vertical press.Elevage: 16 months in French oak barrels (50% new). No fining; light filtration.Bottling date: January 30, 2017Alcohol: 13.5%Total production: 290 cases

Winemaker Nicolas PotelBeaune Premier Cru Vineyards



2014 BELLENE BURGUNDIES

Fine, Succulent Reds, Classic Whites

Nicolas Potel proclaimed 2014 as “a challenging, but ultimately very rewarding vintage. Difficult weather meant lotsof vineyard work, but our efforts paid off with delicious, near-term drinking reds and acid-driven whites that displaytension and lots of terroir.”

Allen Meadows, Burghound

“While it is true is that red burgundy from the 2014 vintage is user-friendly in that the wines will be accessible young,I believe they are going to age extremely well. There is a beguiling freshness coupled with first-rate drinkability thatmakes the 2014s extremely pleasurable. As if these positive features weren’t enough, consider that 2014 is extremelyconsistent up and down the appellation hierarchy, fine wines were made in every commune.”

“As to the style of the 2014 whites, they are classic middle-weight white burgs that possess excellent freshness, solidbut not high alcohols and acidities along with terrific transparency to the underlying terroir. They are also exception-ally refreshing and energetic which just makes them fun to drink as one sip invites the next. The 2014s are quite finelybalanced as they combine reasonably good levels of dry extract that generally does a fine job of buffering the moder-ately firm acidities. As such they should be approachable young but should reward mid-term cellaring.”

Stephen Tanzer, Vinous

“From the outset, most winemakers on the Côte de Beaune placed the 2014 vintage in the same style category as2012, 2010 and 2008—fresh, mineral-driven wines with the density and backbone to reward aging. Since I first tastedthe young ‘14s from barrel in the late spring of 2015, they have mostly gained in depth and clarity. If producers havechanged their opinions on this crop of wines now that they are in the bottle, it’s only for the better.”

“The 2014s benefit from mostly moderate levels of alcohol and although the best wines boast superb density this isessentially a medium-bodied vintage for white Burgundy. The wines don’t have the opulence or weight on the palateof the richer 2015s yet they are more tactile and intensely flavored, more savory and gripping on the finish, and theyare rarely blurred by alcoholic warmth. With their firm acidity and absence of overripe character, they displaywonderful transparency to soil.”

2014 Maison Roche de Bellene Bourgogne ChardonnayThe Maison’s entry-level white Burgundy comes from old-vine parcels in the Côte de Beaune and Côte Chalonnaise. Thevines have an average age of 48 years and, as with all the wines, harvesting is done by hand. After gentle pressing in avertical basket press, fermentation and maturation are done in large (500 liter) oak casks.

Technical Info

• Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay• Vineyard surface: 12 ha• Age of vines: 48 years, average• Exposition: East, southeast; 245 meters elevation• Vineyard management: Lutte raisonée (sustainable)• Harvest method: Hand picking• Harvest date: September 15-22, 2014• Yield: 50 hl/ha• Vinification: Native yeast fermentation, 100% malolactic fermentation• Elevage: Aged in 500-liter French oak casks (3% new); light fining at bottling• Bottling date: September 22-23, 2015• Alcohol: 13%• Total production: 6,540 cases

[88] Wine Enthusiast

2014 Maison Roche de Bellene Saint-AubinThis village is tucked out of the limelight in a side valley between Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet. A high proportionof the vineyard area is designated premier cru, and Chardonnay is the predominant grape variety. This appellation isespecially well-known for its pleasing, affordable white wines that are similar to Puligny-Montrachet in their steelystructure, only lacking a bit of the elegance and perfume.

Technical Info

• Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay• Age of vines: 48 years• Exposition: East, southeast; 270 meters elevation• Soil type: Clay, limestone• Vineyard management: Lutte raisonée (sustainable)• Harvest method: Hand picking• Harvest date: September 17, 2014• Yield: 42 hl/ha• Vinification: Native yeast fermentation, 100% malolactic• Elevage: Aged in French oak (10% new); light fining• Bottling date: July 17, 2015• Alcohol: 13.5%• Total production: 170 cases

[90] Wine Spectator

2014 VINTAGE WHITE WINES



2014 Domaine de Bellene Savigny-les-Beaune blancThis wine is sourced from three different villages vineyards in Savigny-lès-Beaune: Les Planchots, Aux Champs desPruniers and Dessus de Vermots. These parcels were acquired by the Domaine in 2005 and 2006, and were immediatelyconverted to organic viticulture to restore the vitality and potential of the moderately old vines.

Technical Info

• Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay

• Vineyard surface: 1.03 ha• Age of vines: 40 years average• Exposition: South-southeast• Soil type: Clay and limestone• Vineyard management: Organic• Harvest method: Hand picking into small bins• Harvest date: September 22–23, 2014• Vinification: Long, gentle pressing; two days settling;

native yeast fermentation• Elevage: 12 months in barrel; part in 600-liter demi-muids

(20% new); light Bentonite fining• Bottling date: November 5, 2015• Alcohol: 13.0%• Total production: 530 cases[90] Wine Spectator

2014 “Bellenos” Cuvée Rouge (Coteaux Bourguignons)Coteaux Bourguignons (“Hills of Burgundy”) is a new appellation created to showcases the classic taste of the entireregion, from south to north. The Bellenos Cuvée Rouge is primarily from the Beaujolais area in the south, where fruity,mineral-inflected Gamay is grown on granite soils. It is blended with finely structured Pinot Noir from the Côte d’Or innorthern Burgundy. The result is a fresh, fruit-forward “Vin de Plaisir” — a deliciously expressive wine for everydayenjoyment.

Technical Info

• Grape variety: 80% Gamay Noir, 20% Pinot Noir• Vineyard sources: Beaujolais (Gamay Noir)

Côte d’Or (Pinot Noir)• Soil type: Granite in Beaujolais

Clay and limestone in the Côte d’Or• Vinification: Whole-cluster maceration and pressing for the Gamay;

brief cold soak and de-stemming for the Pinot Noir; traditional fermentation in open-top vats

• Elevage: 5 months in 500-liter barrels (no new oak)• Bottling date: June 2015• Alcohol: 12.5%• Total production: 4,000 cases


2014 VINTAGE WINES

2014 Maison Roche de Bellene Bourgogne Pinot NoirThe entry-level red Burgundy comes from old-vine vineyards in the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits. The major part(80%) of this wine is matured in barriques and the remainder is produced in stainless steel. This maintains a pure stylewith bright fruit and a fine texture.

Technical Info

• Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir• Vineyard surface: 22.95 ha• Age of vines: 30-80 years• Exposition: Southeast; 230 meters elevation• Soil type: Clay, limestone• Vineyard management: Lutte raisonée (sustainable)• Harvest method: Hand picking• Harvest date: September 20-25, 2014• Yield: 50 hl/ha• Vinification: Native yeast fermentation, 100% malolactic fermentation• Elevage: Aged in French oak, no new oak; no fining• Bottling date: November 5-7, 2015• Alcohol: 12.5%• Total production: 10,000 cases


2014 Maison Roche de Bellene Savigny-les-Beaune Vieilles VignesThis wine comes from naturally low-yielding old-vine parcels in this village that lies between the city of Beaune and thefamous “Corton hill.” It has the more rustic style that is typical of this appellation.

Technical Info

• Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir• Vineyard surface: .45 ha• Density of planting: 10,000 vines per hectare (4,000 per acre)• Age of vines: 48 years• Exposition: Southeast; 290 meters elevation• Soil type: Clay, limestone• Vineyard management: Lutte raisonée (sustainable)• Harvest method: Hand picking• Harvest date: September 19, 2014• Yield: 46 hl/ha• Vinification: Native yeast fermentation,

100% malolactic fermentation• Elevage: Aged in French oak (10% new); no fining• Bottling date: July 28, 2015• Alcohol: 12.5%• Total production: 500 cases




2014 Maison Roche de Bellene Volnay Vieilles VignesBeing born and raised in this village, it’s no surprise that Nicolas Potel has the vineyard sources to make a serious villages Volnay. It is a more muscular style of Volnay due to the extremely old vines. Premier cru quality at a villagesprice.

Technical Info

• Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir• Vineyard surface: .675 ha• Density of planting: 10,000 vines per hectare (4,000 per acre)• Age of vines: 48-62 years• Exposition: Southeast; 250 meters elevation• Soil type: Clay, limestone• Vineyard management: Lutte raisonée (sustainable)• Harvest method: Hand picking• Harvest date: September 22-25, 2014• Yield: 50 hl/ha• Vinification: Native yeast fermentation, 100% malolactic fermentation• Elevage: Aged in French oak, 20% new oak; no fining• Bottling date: November 5-7, 2015• Alcohol: 12.5%• Total production: 297 case

[93] Wine Spectator

2014 Maison Roche de Bellene Nuits-Saint-Georges Vieilles VignesThis appellation lies on both sides of the town of Nuits-St-Georges, and incorporates the vineyards of neighbouringPrémeaux-Prissey to the south. The wines are are typically sturdy and long lived, although those from sites neighboringVosne-Romanée to the north show the most fruit and elegance.

Technical Info

• Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir• Vineyard surface: 0.67 ha• Age of vines: 45–54 years• Exposition: East; 270 meters elevation• Soil type: Clay, limestone• Vineyard management: Lutte raisonée (sustainable)• Harvest method: Hand picking• Harvest date: September 21, 2014• Yield: 49 hl/ha• Vinification: Native yeast fermentation,

100% malolactic fermentation• Elevage: Aged in French oak (20% new); no fining• Bottling date: January 16, 2016• Alcohol: 13.0%• Total production: 200 cases




2014 Maison Roche de Bellene Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles VignesA perennial lead horse in the Bellene stable, this superlative Gevrey-Chambertin villages cuvée delivers a profile of blackfruits, moist earth and a glimmer of sauvage. Old vines impart an extra dimension of vinosity and sap.

Technical Info

• Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir• Vineyard surface: 2.70 ha• Density of planting: 10,000 vines per hectare (4,000 per acre)• Age of vines: 42-72 years• Exposition: East, southeast; 260 meters elevation• Soil type: Clay, limestone• Vineyard management: Lutte raisonée (sustainable)• Harvest method: Hand picking• Harvest date: September 20, 2014• Yield: 46 hl/ha• Vinification: Native yeast fermentation, 100% malolactic fermentation• Elevage: Aged in French oak (20% new); no fining• Bottling date: November 4, 2015• Alcohol: 13.5%• Total production: 500 cases


2014 Domaine de Bellene Beaune Premier Cru Les GrèvesTo our knowledge these are the oldest vines to be found in the Beaune appellation, planted in 1904. This is the onlyparcel we have that is still pruned in the old-style Cordon de Royat vine training method. The vines are so old here thatwe decided to stop working with machines and now everything is done by hand (and horse!).

Technical Info

• Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir

• Vineyard surface: 0.23 ha

• Pruning system: Cordon de Royat

• Age of vines: 108 years

• Exposition: East-southeast

• Soil type: Clay and limestone

• Vineyard management: Organic

• Harvest method: Hand picking into small bins

• Harvest date: September 18, 2014

• Vinification: Whole-cluster fermentation with native yeasts; gentle pressing; 100% malolactic

• Elevage: 16 months in barrel (33% new); no fining or filtration

• Bottling date: February 15, 2016

• Alcohol: 12.5%

• Total production: 75 cases

[94] Wine Enthusiast; [91] Wine Advocate



Documents

NICOLAS POTEL STREASURES OF BURGUNDY ... more muscular style of Volnay due to the extremely old vines. Premier cru quality at a villages price. Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes A