WTNs: Alex Gambal 2006 Barrel Samples

Alex Gambal is doing what few Americans even dream of: Making high-profile wine in Beaune. Although the Gambal style is not for everyone (I described them as "Modern" - the record player skipped and the whole staff glared at me). You can't fault them for being passionate. I must admit, the '06s taste very good and are bursting with bright, high-toned fruit. They are certainly a good 'Bridge-Bourgogne' for fans of New-world Pinot Noir.

Bourgogne Blanc 2006
Very citric (of course the malo wasn't finished, but even so), with apples, straw, pear skin. Light, fresh, uncomplicated.

Meursault Clos du Cromin 2006
Very aromatic, almost Viognier-like. Tropical fruit, pineapple, flowers and honey.

Puligny-Montrachet 2006
1 yr old barrel -linear styled, good balance of crunchy apples, pear, banana, citus and mineral. Should have considerable elegance.

Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2006
Intense and searing, Fresh and light bodied -very vintage indicative. Focused on mineral and plenty of acid. Reductive -Fruit is hidden, but pear and starfruit is evident.

Bourgogne Rouge 2006
Gentil -Fresh and fruity -Strawberry, cranberry fruit, bright and juicy. Not much to my liking.

Chambolle-Musigny 2006
VERY Chambolle at this stage -Pretty red fruit of Strawberry and Raspberry, roses, red licorice. Plush texture. It seems like it may get BIG.

Volnay Santenots V.V.
More power, rounder mouth feel, strawberry jam, rhubarb, spice. large for the vintage. straightforward and sexed up.


Prost!
Bill

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Thanks, Bill. Gambal makes the only Burgundies that Janet likes. I've grown to enjoy them as well.

Regards, Bob

I've enjoyed the couple of Gambals I have tried. I wish they were easier to find...or maybe not...I'd be spending even more.

Bill,
I tried some of Gambal's offerings (2002s?) a few years ago and recall being underwhelmed. Perhaps I have written them off too soon?
Bill

I haven't been a big Gambal fan,. but most of the ones I tasted were '96s, I think one of his first years- and a hard vintage to taste young. I should revisit.

Thanks. Great stuff. I have only had a few Gambals and I have a few in the cellar. I feel like I have never drank one at the right time. The wines underwhelmed me but I had a sense they were closed. Time will tell.

Jason

I wish I could buy them more easily. Some Boston sources, and Burgundy Wine Company sometimes carries them in NYC. Charlottesville, VA store/restaurant Tastings used to carry them but said (last I checked) that Gambal doesn't have a distributor in VA or North Carolina.

I've been to at least two Gambal tastings at Nantucket Wine Festival in his early years. Had a terrific Meursault, a very big white Chassagne-Montrachet Clos St. Jean, a Fixin with pear flavors, and even a small pour of a Bonnes Mares for which one of his neighbors provided the grapes (fantastic!) I've also enjoyed his Nuits St. Georges "Murgers" by the glass and bottle.

I'm a fan but didn't like everything I tasted to the same degree. He has gained some favorable press in France as well as US.

Fellas one and all,
As a lover of more traditional Burgundy (even traditional in the modern age), I agree that the wines leave something to be desired. While sound, and often village 'typical', they are a little too promiscuous for my taste. But, like I said before, I think they are a great gateway drug for a more complete style -even though the prices are FAR from beginner.

Prost!
Bill

As a data point from 2000 at the Paulee in NYC; from my wine diary:

7. ALEX GAMBAL, Beaune. In 1993 Alex Gambal moved to Burgundy with his wife and two children to take a year off from his real estate and parking garage business in Washington, D.C. He first worked with Becky Wasserman helping to manage her business. Now, he and his partners own several vineyards. All wines are made in an artisanal manner in small lots by hand. The objective is to produce wines that express a sense of place and to ensure that the grapes express the character of the respective commune, vineyard and vintage. U.S. Importer: Jeroboam Wines, (212) 625- 2505.

Pouilly-Fuissé 1997 Burgundy France. Pleasant wine, good fruit and purity, refreshing and went well with some of the food samples, but not very complex or interesting. Maybe a little bottle shock? T2*.

Volnay A. C. 1997 Burgundy France. Light ruby red color; light hue; very good fruit and spice aroma and tastes, especially cherries and some violet aromas; firm tannins, nicely balanced with the fruit and light acidity; long, complex finish; still quite youthful, but a very nice sipping wine. I loved it! T4*.

Beaune-Grèves 1er Crû 1997 Burgundy France. Bright red color; light hue; very good fruit aroma and taste with spicy notes; firm tannins; well balanced; long finish with several fruit and spice notes. Complex and interesting, perhaps a bit richer than the Volnay – a tough choice between two very well made wines – and I checked them both a couple of times. Delicious and interesting. T4*.

[During dinner, Alex brought to our table a bottle of his 1997 Vosne Romanée Les Malconsorts Burgundy France. Pretty red color with lots of fruit and spice in the aroma and taste, there were some attractive floral notes in the aroma, and the finish was pretty and medium length. Gambal is passionate about wine, he is great fun to talk to, and his wines are worth searching out. T4*.]

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Odd that last comment. Janet likes his wines, I've had a dozen since then, but never wrote another note about them. Hmmm ... forgettable? Darned if I know.