Perfumed spicy purple fruit but showing more secondary mushroom aromas than expected. Lighter than previous vintages in terms of extraction and weight. On the thin side, unfortunately. 93
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Still firm and a bit more advanced on the palate than expected but full of heart and character. There is something undoubtedly authentic in the dense brambly fruit, clearly defined vosne spice, all blanketed now by an attractive savory undertone. Lacks the depth of GE or CV but nice.
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The aromatics is beautiful with red fruit, perfume and spice. Palate is feminine, sweet and expressive but just lacking the 02 grand cru weight. Nevertheless, this is drinking wonderfully at peak, but unlikely to improve much from here with aging. Compared to the 02 Rouget Ech, this is easier to please. 93+
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Absolutely stunning. Bright, fresh, clean, pure red cherry. Paired alongside an '02 Rouget Echezeaux and this sort of stole the show. Highly expressive and detailed light notes. Gorgeous aromatics. Fine on the palate, balanced acid and clean red fruit. Oak integrated perfectly. Will go for many years but outstanding drinking right now. Last bottle and can't afford another one any more. Superb. Rouget comparatively darker, more concentrated, and woody, but also excellent.
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Very light brick colour. Lovely mature Burg with all tertiary flavors. Fruit drying and acidity increasing. Still a pure fully integrated pinot. Long finish. almost certainly at or over its peak. A great vigneron but since sale now way overpriced. Drink up!
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now approaching maturity, classic Vosne spice with lovely tertiary flavours appearing. Remains highly expressive, floral wine on the red fruit spectrum, superb length. Although close to peak, I'd be confident the wine will sit at this lofty height for at least a further two decades. Incredible wine.
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RE dinner. Considered his 4th wine and weak link among grand crus. Orveaux sector. Some reduction aromatically. Very pure, intense. High acid vintage starting to blossom.
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Dinner at Troquet with Henry: Damn right amazing wine. Just so classy from start to finish. Deep brooding ruby color with extremely long legs. The bouquet is unfathomably pungent, concentrated and so powerful. The scent just leaps out from the glass effortlessly. On the nose, the wine boasts plenty of strawberries, macerated cherries, musk, leather, smoked meats, violets, basil and star anise. Absolutely cracking nose with plenty of power, class and finesse. On the palate, the wine is luxuriously silky and expansive as power wrestles with weightlessness. The juice cascades down with layers upon layers of strawberry-flavored fruit rollups, menthol, candied violets, smoked meats, racy minerals, kirsch and allspice. Absolutely mesmerizing, relaxing and ethereal. The wine then leaves with dignity in a lingering finish. It is feminine and beguiling at the same time. The juice of heavens.
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While the ‘02 GE in the next glass is probably the technically superior wine and is showing like it will certainly last longer, this is giving more pleasure right now with bright, fresh, and incredibly pure red cherry fruit. Clean nose with real concentration and energy. The red berry in this is almost candied, cherry and strawberry. Definitely still old school, but with some real verve to this bottle.
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Effusive, camphor, allspice, star anise, red cherry, leather nose that immediately brings you to Vosne/Flagey-Echezeaux. Accents of mineral and game just add to the delightful complexity. Really an attention-grabbing, substantive wine that trades more on elegance and power (though it doesn't lack the latter). 94-95.
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Stunning, middle-aged Burgundy. The purity of fruit is just wonderful, leaving this wine rich, full and round yet incredibly light on it's feet. Classic peacock's tail finish. I am not really a huge fan of Echezeaux, too variable and so often very pedestrian, but this bottle raises the vineyard to much greater heights in my mind. The guy obviously had serious talent, which is yet to be repeated by the subsequent owners.
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La Fête de La Paulée in Chicago (Formento's - Chicago IL): Much like the last bottle tasted one year ago (from the same source), this is wonderfully finessed with a great combination of fruit, spice and earth. Perfectly "old school" with none of the negative connotations some associate with that term.
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La Fête de La Paulée: I haven't had much Engel, but this was seriously impressive. Full, expressive nose has just the right amount of earthy funk layered into red and black cherry, with spice accents. So composed and precise on the palate with great depth and layers -- maturing red fruit, earth, clay, funk and spice. Long, long bright finish.
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Medium depth of colour with a brown tinge; a very opulent, perfumed nose with red fruits and sous bois; quite full and rich on the palate, but the acidity still dominates. This tastes quite mature, but the acidity may keep it fresh for a while yet.
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After visiting a couple of Napa Valley wineries and drinking some mighty fine Cabernets, we drank this with dinner. All agreed without hesitation this was the best wine we drank that day. Subtle and sophisticated. Earthy and flavorful without being so fruit-forward. Definitely in its prime.
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The colour is noticeably brown. The nose, is rich and spicy, with ripe fruit, open and enticing. The flavour is full, with sweet, mature fruit, pronounced secondary flavours (mushroom etc) and good length. This has developed into a fine, complex burgundy. It is at its peak now, so I would recommend drinking while it is still fresh and vigorous.
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Having just flown this across a border, then taken a train with it - I shouldn't have been that surprised to have a load of bitter sediment in suspension. I guess not one for your Yacht.... On dry land though, there's a enough stuffing and nuance for this to be good but not great burgundy. I preferred Engel's 2002 Vougeot (although I admit I didn't shake that before opening)
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Mature, quite attractive burgundy with good length. There is a slight leanness, which is perhaps a characteristic of the vintage, but it is very enjoyable.
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A fairly mature colour. There is a tang of acidity on the palate, backed up by complex fruit and vegetal flavours. Good length. This is quite mature, but should keep well because of the acidity.
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Leiden tasting: last one before the holidays: Wine of the night. The nose reminded me of some of the best Clos Vougeot I've had, red fruit, spicy, earthy, elegant, the kind of nose you just want to keep on inhaling. Lovely full bodied taste, complex, balanced, fruit, minerals, spices, with a very long finish. Thrilling wine.
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Mature colour, with a touch of brown; quite evolved flavours with some intensity, although the acidity seems to be lasting better than the fruit. Will probaby keep well and may improve if the fruit holds up.
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No detailed note, but this was drinking fantastically well tonite. Light bright and lovely pinot noir, starting to develop some more mature notes. Wish I had lots more bottles.
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Intense, pure Pinot fruit, with raspberry/cherry flavours and now developing some complexity. This is maturing well, is very enjoyable now, but should last. Very fine.
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Not a particularly deep colour and a hint of brown. Raspberries and redcurrants on the nose; the palate has mature elements to it, with the fruit starting to develop vegetal elements, but it is also rather acidic and lean at present, with some tannin. So perhaps it needs a little more time.
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Was the best Burg of the night at USA vs Burgundy nite. A noseful of stuff like spice, band aid, plum, berry, cherry and herbs. Fruit was more dominate as the wine sat in the glass and finally delivered a complex taste of fruit and earth, leaf and vine, sun and soil if you will. It's as if the roots of the vine are reminding the ripened fruit "don't forget where you came from".
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9/10/2023 - hprphf wrote: 93 Points
Perfumed spicy purple fruit but showing more secondary mushroom aromas than expected. Lighter than previous vintages in terms of extraction and weight. On the thin side, unfortunately. 93
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3/25/2023 - akkwine wrote:
Still firm and a bit more advanced on the palate than expected but full of heart and character. There is something undoubtedly authentic in the dense brambly fruit, clearly defined vosne spice, all blanketed now by an attractive savory undertone. Lacks the depth of GE or CV but nice.
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3/9/2023 - RayOB wrote: 89 Points
Drank in London
What can I say, it just was not working for me. It lacked depth.
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11/3/2022 - Burgnick Likes this wine: 93 Points
The aromatics is beautiful with red fruit, perfume and spice. Palate is feminine, sweet and expressive but just lacking the 02 grand cru weight. Nevertheless, this is drinking wonderfully at peak, but unlikely to improve much from here with aging. Compared to the 02 Rouget Ech, this is easier to please. 93+
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4/22/2022 - western wrote: 93 Points
last bottle!! Gorgeous but now starting its slow downhill journey.
Engel was an amazing vigneron.
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12/8/2021 - The Vines That Bind wrote: 95 Points
Absolutely stunning. Bright, fresh, clean, pure red cherry. Paired alongside an '02 Rouget Echezeaux and this sort of stole the show. Highly expressive and detailed light notes. Gorgeous aromatics. Fine on the palate, balanced acid and clean red fruit. Oak integrated perfectly. Will go for many years but outstanding drinking right now. Last bottle and can't afford another one any more. Superb. Rouget comparatively darker, more concentrated, and woody, but also excellent.
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6/25/2021 - western Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very light brick colour. Lovely mature Burg with all tertiary flavors.
Fruit drying and acidity increasing. Still a pure fully integrated pinot.
Long finish. almost certainly at or over its peak. A great vigneron but since sale now way overpriced. Drink up!
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12/4/2020 - felixp Likes this wine: 98 Points
now approaching maturity, classic Vosne spice with lovely tertiary flavours appearing. Remains highly expressive, floral wine on the red fruit spectrum, superb length. Although close to peak, I'd be confident the wine will sit at this lofty height for at least a further two decades.
Incredible wine.
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9/4/2019 - fcxj wrote: 90 Points
Alvin 2002. Some rusticity. Lightish palate.
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7/23/2019 - lennyB34 Likes this wine: 98 Points
Red fruits, violets and menthol. Amazing wine. Amazing. The best pinot noir I have had.
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3/7/2019 - Burgundy Al wrote: 94 Points
Zachys La Paulée "Warm-up" Dinner (Lafayette - New York NY): Small glass, brief note. Late night. Wow nose, sensationally Vosne spiced and floral. Palate is bright and fresh and almost as good.
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1/12/2019 - fcxj wrote: 94 Points
RE dinner. Considered his 4th wine and weak link among grand crus. Orveaux sector. Some reduction aromatically. Very pure, intense. High acid vintage starting to blossom.
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11/9/2018 - emzee.mc wrote: 97 Points
Dinner at Troquet with Henry: Damn right amazing wine. Just so classy from start to finish. Deep brooding ruby color with extremely long legs. The bouquet is unfathomably pungent, concentrated and so powerful. The scent just leaps out from the glass effortlessly. On the nose, the wine boasts plenty of strawberries, macerated cherries, musk, leather, smoked meats, violets, basil and star anise. Absolutely cracking nose with plenty of power, class and finesse. On the palate, the wine is luxuriously silky and expansive as power wrestles with weightlessness. The juice cascades down with layers upon layers of strawberry-flavored fruit rollups, menthol, candied violets, smoked meats, racy minerals, kirsch and allspice. Absolutely mesmerizing, relaxing and ethereal. The wine then leaves with dignity in a lingering finish. It is feminine and beguiling at the same time. The juice of heavens.
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10/6/2018 - The Vines That Bind wrote: 94 Points
While the ‘02 GE in the next glass is probably the technically superior wine and is showing like it will certainly last longer, this is giving more pleasure right now with bright, fresh, and incredibly pure red cherry fruit. Clean nose with real concentration and energy. The red berry in this is almost candied, cherry and strawberry. Definitely still old school, but with some real verve to this bottle.
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8/25/2018 - englishman's claret wrote: 95 Points
Effusive, camphor, allspice, star anise, red cherry, leather nose that immediately brings you to Vosne/Flagey-Echezeaux. Accents of mineral and game just add to the delightful complexity. Really an attention-grabbing, substantive wine that trades more on elegance and power (though it doesn't lack the latter). 94-95.
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7/22/2018 - felixp Likes this wine: 96 Points
Stunning, middle-aged Burgundy.
The purity of fruit is just wonderful, leaving this wine rich, full and round yet incredibly light on it's feet. Classic peacock's tail finish. I am not really a huge fan of Echezeaux, too variable and so often very pedestrian, but this bottle raises the vineyard to much greater heights in my mind.
The guy obviously had serious talent, which is yet to be repeated by the subsequent owners.
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5/4/2018 - Burgundy Al wrote: 93 Points
La Fête de La Paulée in Chicago (Formento's - Chicago IL): Much like the last bottle tasted one year ago (from the same source), this is wonderfully finessed with a great combination of fruit, spice and earth. Perfectly "old school" with none of the negative connotations some associate with that term.
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5/4/2018 - Nanda wrote: 98 Points
La Fête de La Paulée: I haven't had much Engel, but this was seriously impressive. Full, expressive nose has just the right amount of earthy funk layered into red and black cherry, with spice accents. So composed and precise on the palate with great depth and layers -- maturing red fruit, earth, clay, funk and spice. Long, long bright finish.
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11/5/2017 - olemski wrote: 97 Points
Just fantastic. If I have drunk better wines, it would be by a tiny margin.
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4/18/2017 - Burgundy Al wrote: 94 Points
Burgundy Dinner - René Engel and 1978s (Formento's - Chicago IL): In Engel flight. Bright red fruit with faint baking spice. Good aromas, riper and more concentrated flavors. Not a powerful, but just perfect balance.
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7/10/2015 - La Grappe wrote: 90 Points
Medium depth of colour with a brown tinge; a very opulent, perfumed nose with red fruits and sous bois; quite full and rich on the palate, but the acidity still dominates. This tastes quite mature, but the acidity may keep it fresh for a while yet.
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1/17/2015 - slapsht007 Likes this wine: 93 Points
After visiting a couple of Napa Valley wineries and drinking some mighty fine Cabernets, we drank this with dinner. All agreed without hesitation this was the best wine we drank that day. Subtle and sophisticated. Earthy and flavorful without being so fruit-forward. Definitely in its prime.
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6/15/2014 - La Grappe Likes this wine: 93 Points
The colour is noticeably brown. The nose, is rich and spicy, with ripe fruit, open and enticing. The flavour is full, with sweet, mature fruit, pronounced secondary flavours (mushroom etc) and good length. This has developed into a fine, complex burgundy. It is at its peak now, so I would recommend drinking while it is still fresh and vigorous.
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2/25/2013 - ubercuvee wrote:
Having just flown this across a border, then taken a train with it - I shouldn't have been that surprised to have a load of bitter sediment in suspension. I guess not one for your Yacht....
On dry land though, there's a enough stuffing and nuance for this to be good but not great burgundy. I preferred Engel's 2002 Vougeot (although I admit I didn't shake that before opening)
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1/15/2013 - La Grappe Likes this wine: 89 Points
Mature, quite attractive burgundy with good length. There is a slight leanness, which is perhaps a characteristic of the vintage, but it is very enjoyable.
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10/20/2012 - La Grappe wrote: 89 Points
A fairly mature colour. There is a tang of acidity on the palate, backed up by complex fruit and vegetal flavours. Good length. This is quite mature, but should keep well because of the acidity.
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7/5/2012 - Burgaddict wrote: 94 Points
Leiden tasting: last one before the holidays: Wine of the night. The nose reminded me of some of the best Clos Vougeot I've had, red fruit, spicy, earthy, elegant, the kind of nose you just want to keep on inhaling. Lovely full bodied taste, complex, balanced, fruit, minerals, spices, with a very long finish. Thrilling wine.
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5/23/2012 - La Grappe wrote: 89 Points
Mature colour, with a touch of brown; quite evolved flavours with some intensity, although the acidity seems to be lasting better than the fruit. Will probaby keep well and may improve if the fruit holds up.
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3/6/2011 - Greg Pierce wrote:
No detailed note, but this was drinking fantastically well tonite. Light bright and lovely pinot noir, starting to develop some more mature notes. Wish I had lots more bottles.
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2/26/2011 - La Grappe wrote: 92 Points
Fairly mature, with a pungent, perfumed nose. On the palate, it has ripe fruit and mushroom flavours, supported by a fresh acidity. Very attractive.
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8/15/2009 - La Grappe wrote: 94 Points
Intense, pure Pinot fruit, with raspberry/cherry flavours and now developing some complexity. This is maturing well, is very enjoyable now, but should last. Very fine.
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6/5/2009 - La Grappe wrote: 92 Points
Just about ready, with intense, slightly sweet raspberry/cherry fruit, attractive balancing acidity and good length. Fresh and lively. Excellent.
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1/9/2009 - La Grappe wrote: 89 Points
Not a particularly deep colour and a hint of brown. Raspberries and redcurrants on the nose; the palate has mature elements to it, with the fruit starting to develop vegetal elements, but it is also rather acidic and lean at present, with some tannin. So perhaps it needs a little more time.
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2/24/2007 - N2Vin wrote: 91 Points
Was the best Burg of the night at USA vs Burgundy nite. A noseful of stuff like spice, band aid, plum, berry, cherry and herbs. Fruit was more dominate as the wine sat in the glass and finally delivered a complex taste of fruit and earth, leaf and vine, sun and soil if you will. It's as if the roots of the vine are reminding the ripened fruit "don't forget where you came from".
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