Wine Advisor
Bernard Burgaud, Cote Rotie 2000
View analysis
Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Like most growers', Burgaud's 2000 Cote Rotie is lighter than the 1999, but he appears to have gotten more out of it than many of his peers. The wine exhibits a deep ruby/purple color as well as a backward, concentrated, moderately tannic style with more depth and chewiness than most 1999 northern Rhones. Additionally, there are abundant quantities of earthy black fruits intermixed with underbrush and meaty notes. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2014. Burgaud's muscular, sometimes sauvage style of Cote Rotie has lost none of its power and intensity, yet the old style, with a noticeable leathery brett component would appear to be a thing of the past. Importer: Martine's Wines, Novato, CA; tel. (415) 883-0400
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
A monolithic effort, Burgaud’s 2000 Cote Rotie reveals notes of dried herbs intermixed with underbrush, licorice, black cherry and cassis fruit. This densely colored, chunky, muscular offering lacks complexity as well as charm, but it provides a straightforward, corpulent, supple glass of red wine. Anticipated maturity: now-2010. Importer: Martine’s Wines, Novato, CA; tel. (415) 883-0400
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Good medium ruby. Subdued aromas of dark berries, espresso and baking spices. Supple, round and gentle, with a spiciness enhanced by the wine's sweet oak component. Offers good fruit and volume but seems a bit less vibrant and deep than the 2001, without quite the younger wine's flavor development or dimension.
About the Producer
Origins of The Estate The tradition of vine growing and winemaking started at the beginning of the 20th century and the wine became one of the farm’s products. The wine was made in two wooden tanks and two concrete tanks. The production was for family consumption and two barrels were sold to the bistros in the neighbourhood and the surrounding villages. The wine was Roger Burgaud passion, so he bought and re-planted beautiful plots of land in the prestigious wine region Côte-Rotie. In 1980, Bernard Burgaud turned the family farm into a winery. The « Domaine Burgaud » was born. During 1980-2000, Bernard took over the land and re-planted abandoned vineyards. He belongs to a generation of winemakers who represent the renaissance of the Côte Rôtie. In 2020, Bernard’s son Pierre takes over the estate. The Estate Located in Ampuis, the historical heart of the Côte Rôtie, the estate has 5 ha (12 ac) of vines on the following “lieux dits”. Bernard Burgaud produces only one wine, their Côte Rôtie, that comes from several lieux-dits, including Côte Blonde, Champin, Leyat, Fongeant, Les Moutonnes, and Brosse. The average age of the vines is 40 years. Bernard Burgaud have just one blend per vintage, and don’t produce “cuvée speciale” or “cuvée parcelaire”. Bernard Burgaud is one of the more understated producers of the Côte-Rôtie appellation, making just one wine from 100% Syrah. Vinification Côte-Rôtie is the northernmost area where Syrah comes to maturity. In the north of Lyon, the grape doesn’t ripe fully. To have rich and concentrated wines that age well, they have to be extra careful. The choice of a variety of Syrah, yield control, quality of grapes, harvest date, etc. is very important. They harvest each parcel at its best, usually during September and October. Winemaking: they do total destemming to avoid dry tannins. They are undesirable in young wine and they do not bring anything interesting during aging. they use only their wild yeast because they are the part of the terroir / the appellation. Aging The wine ages in oak barrels of 228 liters. they renew 20% of barrels each year. More than 20% of the new oak (flavor) would bring too much wooden flavor and it would erase the terroir and the vintage.
