Very good, especially for the very difficult vintage. No greenness or thinness here; this is quite rich and opulent, though it does seem to show a fair bit more advanced than I would expect for a wine that is but 12 years old. The mushroomy qualities of meunier are on clear display, and this is quite concentrated and vinous. Probably among the better wines I've had in the vintage and honestly a real surprise.
I'll be honest. I was very, very skeptical about the decision to release this wine in such a shoddy Champagne vintage. But this was honestly impressive. It far surpassed my expectations -- really, I should be trusting Krug more than myself. At first, right at the get-go, this showed a bit light and white-grapey, with a lot of structure and lots of acidity. But it came into better balance as the night passed. To be sure, this is not a Krug for the ages, but it is one that feels far more approachable now, versus the 2004, 2006, and 2008, which all felt underwhelming at release. Intense and minerally, with just the right amount of counterbalancing acid. Colour me impressed -- this may well be a bit of a dark horse of a vintage for Krug.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault 1er Cru
Very, very good. It's certainly a chunky, big wine with plenty of weight. No reduction or overt oak either, though this showed a fair bit riper than the Roulot alongside. Initially, I preferred this wine, but with more air, I feel like the Roulot picked up more gravitas. This was more exuberant and expressive from the get-go, and it stayed that way over the course of the night.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault 1er Cru
Initially this was quite mute on the nose and palate, and certainly paled in comparison to the PYCM alongside. But this blossomed with air, whereas the PYCM pretty much held the line the whole night. I liked the PYCM more at first, and the Roulot more at the end. It's a very subdued, calm wine, with a lovely zen-like ethereal balance. It has none of the intense acidity, reduction, etc. of the white Burgundies that are in fashion today. It's a lot more sedate and more introspective.
For the so-called shoddy 2011 Napa vintage, this is fantastic. Producer over vintage all day long. There is so much of an old-school sensibility to this. Very judicious oak use, where it is more of a seasoning than an actual flavour. Plush, dark fruit, and a silky, refined texture on the palate. Sure, it won't be the longest-lived Napa wine, but there is already so much enjoyment to be had here.
2011 Emmanuel Brochet Champagne Les Hauts Meuniers 93 Points
France, Champagne
Very good, especially for the very difficult vintage. No greenness or thinness here; this is quite rich and opulent, though it does seem to show a fair bit more advanced than I would expect for a wine that is but 12 years old. The mushroomy qualities of meunier are on clear display, and this is quite concentrated and vinous. Probably among the better wines I've had in the vintage and honestly a real surprise.
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2011 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut 95 Points
France, Champagne
I'll be honest. I was very, very skeptical about the decision to release this wine in such a shoddy Champagne vintage. But this was honestly impressive. It far surpassed my expectations -- really, I should be trusting Krug more than myself. At first, right at the get-go, this showed a bit light and white-grapey, with a lot of structure and lots of acidity. But it came into better balance as the night passed. To be sure, this is not a Krug for the ages, but it is one that feels far more approachable now, versus the 2004, 2006, and 2008, which all felt underwhelming at release. Intense and minerally, with just the right amount of counterbalancing acid. Colour me impressed -- this may well be a bit of a dark horse of a vintage for Krug.
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2005 Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Meursault 1er Cru Charmes 93 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault 1er Cru
Very, very good. It's certainly a chunky, big wine with plenty of weight. No reduction or overt oak either, though this showed a fair bit riper than the Roulot alongside. Initially, I preferred this wine, but with more air, I feel like the Roulot picked up more gravitas. This was more exuberant and expressive from the get-go, and it stayed that way over the course of the night.
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2005 Domaine Roulot Meursault 1er Cru Charmes 93 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault 1er Cru
Initially this was quite mute on the nose and palate, and certainly paled in comparison to the PYCM alongside. But this blossomed with air, whereas the PYCM pretty much held the line the whole night. I liked the PYCM more at first, and the Roulot more at the end. It's a very subdued, calm wine, with a lovely zen-like ethereal balance. It has none of the intense acidity, reduction, etc. of the white Burgundies that are in fashion today. It's a lot more sedate and more introspective.
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2011 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow 93 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain
For the so-called shoddy 2011 Napa vintage, this is fantastic. Producer over vintage all day long. There is so much of an old-school sensibility to this. Very judicious oak use, where it is more of a seasoning than an actual flavour. Plush, dark fruit, and a silky, refined texture on the palate. Sure, it won't be the longest-lived Napa wine, but there is already so much enjoyment to be had here.
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