Burgundy Masterclass with Robert Joseph

This looked a somewhat odd selection and the choice was, I think, AWC's rather than Robert Joseph, who had little enthusiasm for the Montrachet, the Groffier or the Dugat. With the exception of the Lafon, which was as delicious as I expected, and the Latour Montrachet which was decidedly disappointing, the rest were good but not great burgundies which nowhere near justify their expense.

• NV Franck Bonville Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut Prestige

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  Pale, soft, frothy house champagne

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• 2009 Domaine des Comtes Lafon Meursault 1er Cru Gouttes d'Or 93 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault 1er Cru

  Gorgeous, spicy oak. Powdery, medium bodied, good acid spine, quite elegant. Really lovely

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• 2005 Domaine Billaud-Simon Chablis Grand Cru Vaudésir 91 Points

  France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru

  Chardonnay nose, just a hint of oyster shell (RJ too thinks this is sulphur), but this just a tone in very pure fruit; sharp, stony and floral. Attractive.

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• 2007 Louis Latour Montrachet 87 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Montrachet Grand Cru

  Sickly nose, a bit of sweat, fat, buttery, powerful, ripe, some tropical fruit. Obviously big, but not very emjoyable

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• 2007 Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne 92 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru

  Sharp, powerful, little in the way of oak. This was comfortably the group's favourite, but I miss the seasoning that a touch of oak brings.

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• 2008 Domaine Robert Groffier Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses 90 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru

  Surprisingly brown, high acid, high toned, fresh and savoury. I liked this more than most did, but it's not pretty like Amoureuses is meant tp be.

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• 2007 Claude Dugat Griotte-Chambertin 90 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru

  Big, raspberry liqueur style, thick, quite tannic. A bit spirity. This might come together better in time.

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• 2005 J. Confuron-Cotetidot Clos Vougeot 89 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos Vougeot Grand Cru

  A bit sweaty on the nose, I thought, sharp, tannic. Lots of substance, but not much charm. Others were more keen.

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• 1999 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Cuvée Duvault-Blochet 90 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru

  Served blind (we knew it was from DRC) we were invited to guess the decade. I thought the 2000s for this was youthful looking and vigorous. Then the vintage, 95, 97, 99. Leafy, so surely the 97? Even knowing it was 99 I found it hard to detect the richness I'd expect. And then was it GE, La T, E, or V 1er Cru. This time I was right. Now this is a very nice Vosne, quite exotic and spicy, but not special.

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