1997 A. et P. de Villaine Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise La Digoine

Community Tasting Notes (2) Avg Score: 91 points

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View ieatprawnsss's profile
  • Report Issue

  3/24/2021 - ieatprawnsss Likes this wine: 91 Points

  Granted - I think this comparatively humble burgundy was not made with 24 years of aging in mind, but honestly it has weathered its long sleep with relative grace.
  
  More youthful than expected in colour, there are brownish hues and a clear rim that give away its age. The nose is quite advanced, whiffs of stewed red fruit, damp forest floor, earthiness and warm spice. The palate is well rounded, some tannin left, lots of lingering, mouth-watering acidity that has undoubtedly played a part in its longevity.
  
  It is not a knock-your-socks-off wine, but on a quiet Wednesday evening, there isn't much more that one can ask for.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View MikeATL's profile
  • Report Issue

  3/17/2000 - MikeATL wrote:

  Tonight with a pan seared salmon with Greek pasta salad, I decided a pinot was in order. Looking in the tasting queue, a bottle of the 1997 A. et P. Villaine Cote Chalonnaise le Digione cried out to me, actually begging me to consume it. Not being one to argue with inanimate objects (because that would be nuts), I acquiesced to its plaintive wails.
  
  The lovely pure garnet color reminds me that I drink too many opaque California pinots suffering from MPD. An enterprising botanopsychologist could make a good living treating pinot grapes in California, which seem to have developed a mass psychosis that makes them believe they are syrah. Back to the wine at hand, it's got spice, it's got dried cherries, it slices, it dices, it minces, it chops. Once the cork was pulled, it decided to play coy, keeping the fruit wrapped up a bit tight, but gentle coaxing in the mouth convinces it to open up and reveal nice depth and complexity on the strong finish, with nice acidic balance.
  
  It should improve over the next few years, but it and salmon sing an entrancing duet right now. It's not a great wine, but it is a very nice one, showing its Burgundy roots and at a pretty good price. People interested in exploring the region, and getting a taste of what Burgundy has to offer, would be well served to try it for a reasonably priced introduction. Those of us who know and love Burgundy should also buy it, because it is a good, inexpensive Burgundy that reminds us of the masterpieces we mortage our houses and sell our pets into slavery for.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

Professional reviews have copyrights and you can view them here for your personal use only as private content. To view pro reviews you must either subscribe to a pre-integrated publication or manually enter reviews below. Learn more.