2005 Beaune Premier Cru Clos des Avaux
A limited parcel from the Hospices de Beaune
The Hospices de Beaune is a fifteenth century institution, originally founded just after the Hundred Years War. Over the centuries it was given vineyard land as well as other assets and the proceeds of the annual wine auction still benefit Beaune's hospital, though it is now situated away from the famous timbered edifice. Wines from the donated vineyards are made and aged by some of the region's leading producers and merchants.
It's very rare to be able to offer such a delicious and mature Hospices de Beaune wine - we wish there were more such opportunities. We've had the chance to taste this Clos des Avaux twice now, including a prolonged examination at home over a couple of nights, a rigorous test it passed with flying colours. The great 2005 vintage needs no introduction and with thirteen years of slow ageing in professional storage this wine is complex and layered with structure, lovely texture and mature flavours. But it has plenty of ageing potential remaining.
My own Burgundy epiphany came from a mature bottle of red Hospices de Beaune. Drunk with lobster, but that's another story. That was the eighties and now sadly I have absolutely no idea what the details of that wine were. Perhaps this will provide you with an epiphany. Maybe swerve the crustacean though. /CW
Offered subject to remaining unsold
