12/10/03 – Domaine Begude (France) Limoux Chardonnay 2001

Domaine Begude (France) Limoux Chardonnay 2001
I tasted this Chardonnay in the 1999 vintage and was very impressed but also found the wine quite odd: it seemed to be wonderfully multi-layered and complex, but not totally pleasant to drink, with a tight palate that slightly lacked fruit. This vintage has all the complexity, but also drinks beautifully, making it a very easy Wine of the Week choice. Domaine Begude is a biodynamic estate, farming organically and using potions such as a stinging nettle infusion as a fertliser rather than chemical products. The nose is absolutely like a good Meursault, with a creamy ground ginger and waxy quality over melon and green apple fruit. The palate has crisp white fruit flavours, with juicy apple to the fore, but there are notes of herbs and minerals too, and just a subtle support from nutty oak. It is long and has great balance, with a stripe of acidity running through to the finish. £7.99 Booths