WineBerserkers Bay Area Burgundy Tasting

Our SF wine group was a little smaller this time but it was nice that Megan could join us this time. Thanks to Ashish for organizing the location as well, was pretty impressive what our bill came out to considering we had 8 bottles of wine for 7 people and fed everyone well.

Thanks for bringing the bonus bottle of Champers Megan! Always love some bubbles to kick off with.

• 2004 Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Brut Millésimé

  France, Champagne

  Slightly shy nose was surprisingly earth and maybe a touch gamey to me. Led me to believe there was a good percentage of Pinot Meunier in the blend which was reinforced on the palate. Medium-light weight palate of soft cherry, earth, game, tangy lime and mineral flavours similar to soda water. Medium acidity which lingers on the finish with a touch of minerals and a little coffee note.

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• 2004 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses

  France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru

  Nose of green apple, floral and tons of wooly, minerally notes. Picked up a sweeter, candied fruit note as it picked up air. Pale silver gold colour looked younger than expected. Took a little while for the palate to open up beyond minerals and citrus but eventually showed green apple, white peach, citrus, little bit of chalk and minerals. Good acidity, nice balance and medium finish. Showed well and seems like it has some upside development left in it. Not as complex or minerally as other Fevre GC's I have had.

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• 2003 Maison Bertrand Ambroise Corton-Charlemagne

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

  Nose was decently expressive, showing slightly buttery popcorn, minerals and raw hazelnuts. Well developed, dark gold colour. Palate started fairly big and become hollow. Flavours of almond, some minerals, some oak, vanilla, orange peel/citrus zest. Decent acidity and short finish ending with a little bitter wood. Lacked balance. This didn’t have the power one usually expects from Corton-Charlie and was less ripe tasting then I would have expected from the vintage.

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• 2000 Alain Hudelot-Noëllat Richebourg

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Richebourg Grand Cru

  The bouquet of sandalwood, hoisin, mint and perhaps just a little meat was something I could smell for hours. Bright ruby red in colour, still looking very young. Intense but not big, lacy palate showing juicy red berries, some dark berries at times and baking spice. Long finish with lingering dark berries and good acidity. Still quite primary and evolving, was a little shy at times but always showed great promise. Very enjoyable now but I’d recommend to hold this for at least 4-5 years to receive maximum enjoyment.

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• 2001 Domaine des Lambrays Clos des Lambrays

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru

  Sweet, deep nose of black cherry, minerals, little smoke and a little savoury note. Dark garnet colour throughout. Powerful, silky palate showing primary flavours of bright cherry, earth, and a little dark berry. Drying tannins hit just before a good dose of acidity and a medium+ finish. Fantastic balance. Continued evolving throughout the night. Long life ahead of this wine and definitely still just a pup.

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• 2001 Domaine Taupenot-Merme Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Bel-Air

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru

  Lively, reasonably complex nose showing some of cherry, earth, sous bois, and a touch of mushroom. Deep garnet colour with some clearing at the meniscus. Nice palate showing good development. Flavours of dark berries, some cherry, earth, moss, minerals and tangy red apple skin. Medium length finish with good acidity. Definitely at or near peak drinking window. Very enjoyable.

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• 1996 Louis Jadot Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos St. Jacques Domaine Louis Jadot

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru

  Nose of cherry, sous bois along with a little spice and floral notes. Deep ruby core with bricking on the edges of the glass. Light bodied palate showing good development. Flavours of cherry, little meat and spice (nutmeg). Still some rustic tannins to resolve, tastes more like oak then stems to me. Loads of acidity and medium+ finish ends with a nice tart cherry note though a little bitterness appeared as well. Really enjoyed this though not sure the wine will evolve enough to fully integrate the tannin and acid, so probably entering its prime drinking window.

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• 2006 Prince Florent de Merode Corton-Bressandes

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru

  Nose started out a bit shy but opened up to show sweet cherry and lavender. Dark ruby colour. Light palate showing plenty of earth and cherry along with a little root beer. Little bit of smooth tannin to resolve. Good balance, medium finish. Drinking pretty well now but lacking complexity. It would be interesting to see what another 3+ years would do for this wine.

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I have to say I'm really happy we've managed to have several of these dinners now and our group seems to be picking up momentum. Definitely fun to share wine and food with fellow wine nerds and enjoy an extension of the WB community.

Next theme up is Rhone but hoping we get to revisit Burgundy again soon.