Burgundy dinner with the Nervie's

Put together a Burgundy themed dinner to evaluate some 2007 wines. Started with a cheese course consisting of Chaumes, Port Salut, and Beecher's Flagship Reserve. Entree was rabbit ragout with leek and shitake served atop a mushroom risotto. Served single blind, wines were the (1) '07 Clavelier Vosne-Romanee Beaux Monts, (2) '07 Bachelet Cote de Nuits Villages, (3) '07 Bachelet Gevrey-Chambertin VV, and (4) '06 Loring Clos Pepe as a not-so-ringer ringer.

Pretty distinct difference between these two, with the Calvelier being significantly lighter in color, a little better balanced, and more mineral rather then earth driven. The Vosne spice really gave it away.

• 2007 Domaine Bruno Clavelier Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts Vieilles Vignes 92 Points

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

  High-toned nose of strawberry, raspberry, and some stemmy qualities. In the mouth, lighter than the others in weight and structure with mineral, hoisin, chalky tannin and a citric cut. Very fine and focused. My WOTN.

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• 2007 Domaine Denis Bachelet Côte de Nuits Villages 89 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Côte de Nuits Villages

  Pronounced nose of earthy mushroom and anchovy. Sappy black cherry and blackberry with good acidity and a rustic tannic finish. My 3rd of the night.

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All but one of us preferred the Bachelet to the Loring. I think she preferred the approachability and softness of the new-world pinot..

• 2006 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Clos Pepe Vineyard 87 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  Smoky oak, black cherry liquor, a little raisin/prune, smooth mouthfeel, lower acidity, and a little backend warmth. This didn't pair as well with the meal, but was better than the Burgs as a stand-alone drink. My 4th of the night.

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• 2007 Domaine Denis Bachelet Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 91 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin

  Very similar to wine #2, but less dark, sappy, and rustic. A little of that earthy anchovy smell on the nose, but this wine really shines in the mouth with better balance and more focus and precision. Flavors lean toward the redder fruit spectrum with bright, tart cherry. Good acidity. Tannins are there and add length, but are finer and less obtrusive than wine #2. My 2nd favorite wine of the night. I kept going back and forth between this and wine #1. I actually thought this was Bachelet's lower-priced CdN due to it being lighter and more approachable than wine #2, but was unfortunately proved wrong.

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As expected, the Loring stuck out like a sore thumb. I was able to identify the two Bachelets pretty easily, but it was nearly a toss-up on which was the Gevrey vs. the CdN Villages. All three Burgs were very nice, especially considering the vintage. The Clavelier paired exceptionally well with tonight's meal.