Intense, with a flavor profile that is more about power and length than complexity. The palate is energetic and still unevolved -- there are hints of cinnamon and cloves, but they are mostly subsumed by primal citrus and toast. Steely and lean, but well-balanced and textured. This could be really fun in another 3-5 years.
Pale straw color. Intensely youthful core of mineral-infused fruit. Bracing and zingy, with nascent anise/spice flavors that just begin to unwind on the long finish. This is still really tightly wound but seems destined for a fabulous future (assuming it doesn't succumb to premox).
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos de la Roche Grand Cru
It has been a couple of years since I last tasted this, and this was easily the best bottle I've tried. Earthy and young, with fantastic aromatics that lead to a barely mid-weight palate of dark fruit and earth. A perfumed, soil-driven rendition of Clos de la Roche that steadily put on weight over the course of dinner, and was at its best on the last sip. This bottle had enough fine tannin to suggest that additional short-term cellaring would pay off.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru
Generally consistent with prior TN. A smoky, fragrant, mid-weight palate that seemed a bit beefer and more large-scaled than previous bottles, but without sacrificing this wine's characteristic elegance and class. Like the '01 Rousseau Clos de la Roche, tasted side-by-side (see TN), this continually improved in the glass and will likely reward a few more years of cellaring.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny
A terrific effort and not far removed from the '01 Vogüé Chambolle-Musigny 1er, tasted side-by-side (see TN). The vintage's characteristic beefy, spicy flavors carry through on the palate, which has impressive weight and ripe fruit. More savory and dark than its '01 counterpart, with ample power and structure and a nascent elegance that I expect will reveal itself more fully in a few years.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru
Expansive, complex Vosne spice box on the nose -- like a baby Richebourg. The palate is rich, spicy, and long, with ripe dark fruit that carries a real sense of intensity without weight. Savory, broth-like secondary flavors that speak to the 2002 vintage. This has shed quite a bit of baby fat, but is still tight -- closed down completely in the glass after a half hour or so. Really promising and, IMHO, in need of another 5 or so years of age.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos Vougeot Grand Cru
Popped and poured -- would undoubtedly have benefited from several hours of decanting. Really primary -- dominated by large-scaled, dark, highly extracted, brawny fruit. Oaky and spicy, with powerful, rustic, coarse tannins on the finish. This wine is a bull in a china shop at the moment -- needs more time to harmonize.
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
By far the best '01 Vieux Donjon I've had. Gorgeously perfumed nose of exotic spices -- fills the room. Savory, expansive, long palate of rich red fruit infused with baking spices. Mid-weight, with a silky texture and a long finish wrapped in suave tannins. A really delicious CDP that is drinking very well now and has lots of life ahead.
2001 Pierre Péters Champagne Grand Cru Cuvée Speciale Blanc de Blancs Les Chetillons 90 Points
France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
Intense, with a flavor profile that is more about power and length than complexity. The palate is energetic and still unevolved -- there are hints of cinnamon and cloves, but they are mostly subsumed by primal citrus and toast. Steely and lean, but well-balanced and textured. This could be really fun in another 3-5 years.
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2007 Jean-Marc Brocard Chablis Grand Cru Valmur 93 Points
France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru
Pale straw color. Intensely youthful core of mineral-infused fruit. Bracing and zingy, with nascent anise/spice flavors that just begin to unwind on the long finish. This is still really tightly wound but seems destined for a fabulous future (assuming it doesn't succumb to premox).
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2001 Domaine Armand Rousseau Père et Fils Clos de la Roche 92 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos de la Roche Grand Cru
It has been a couple of years since I last tasted this, and this was easily the best bottle I've tried. Earthy and young, with fantastic aromatics that lead to a barely mid-weight palate of dark fruit and earth. A perfumed, soil-driven rendition of Clos de la Roche that steadily put on weight over the course of dinner, and was at its best on the last sip. This bottle had enough fine tannin to suggest that additional short-term cellaring would pay off.
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2001 Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru 92 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru
Generally consistent with prior TN. A smoky, fragrant, mid-weight palate that seemed a bit beefer and more large-scaled than previous bottles, but without sacrificing this wine's characteristic elegance and class. Like the '01 Rousseau Clos de la Roche, tasted side-by-side (see TN), this continually improved in the glass and will likely reward a few more years of cellaring.
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2002 Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé Chambolle-Musigny 90 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny
A terrific effort and not far removed from the '01 Vogüé Chambolle-Musigny 1er, tasted side-by-side (see TN). The vintage's characteristic beefy, spicy flavors carry through on the palate, which has impressive weight and ripe fruit. More savory and dark than its '01 counterpart, with ample power and structure and a nascent elegance that I expect will reveal itself more fully in a few years.
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2002 Domaine Robert Arnoux / Arnoux-Lachaux Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Reignots 92 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru
Expansive, complex Vosne spice box on the nose -- like a baby Richebourg. The palate is rich, spicy, and long, with ripe dark fruit that carries a real sense of intensity without weight. Savory, broth-like secondary flavors that speak to the 2002 vintage. This has shed quite a bit of baby fat, but is still tight -- closed down completely in the glass after a half hour or so. Really promising and, IMHO, in need of another 5 or so years of age.
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2002 Domaine Jacques Prieur Clos Vougeot 88 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos Vougeot Grand Cru
Popped and poured -- would undoubtedly have benefited from several hours of decanting. Really primary -- dominated by large-scaled, dark, highly extracted, brawny fruit. Oaky and spicy, with powerful, rustic, coarse tannins on the finish. This wine is a bull in a china shop at the moment -- needs more time to harmonize.
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2001 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape 93 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
By far the best '01 Vieux Donjon I've had. Gorgeously perfumed nose of exotic spices -- fills the room. Savory, expansive, long palate of rich red fruit infused with baking spices. Mid-weight, with a silky texture and a long finish wrapped in suave tannins. A really delicious CDP that is drinking very well now and has lots of life ahead.
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