Vosne-Romanee Showdown: Brulees vs. Beaux Monts

My Burgundy tasting group, the Chicago Lieu-dit Cru, got together to compare a couple of exceptional contiguous Premier Cru vineyards - Brulees and Beaux Monts. I don't think there is an answer regarding which is better, just that they can both be great.

• 1990 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon 94 Points

  France, Champagne

  Still showing very young and vibrant for a 1990. Buttered toast on the nose. Apple flavors to start but very quickly this takes on a rich lemon and lemon oil character. Very enjoyable today, I expect this will stay fresh for a good number of years.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2005 Domaine Leflaive Meursault 1er Cru Sous le Dos d'Âne 89 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault 1er Cru

  Floral and spicy nose shows ripe fruit and plenty of new oak. Ripe stone fruit also showing a bit too much new oak right now, but I expect this will integrate well but never become an exciting wine. I think this is the first time I have seen or tried this wine from Leflaive.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1994 Domaine Ramonet Bâtard-Montrachet 90 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru

  Ripe, mature stone fruit aromas. Peach and nectarine flavors with modest spice are quite good but slightly past its peak.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1988 Domaine Daniel Rion et Fils Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts Flawed

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

  Possibly slightly corked. Muted fruit, very lean, showcasing only tannin and acidty. Of course, that could also just be the problem with some troublesome 1988s.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1993 Domaine Daniel Rion et Fils Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts 93 Points

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

  Red cherry aromas with very charming baking spice. Palate also shows red and black cherry, good spice, with lots of structure and intensity. Long, energetic finish. Very elegant wine.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2005 Domaine Daniel Rion et Fils Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts 93 Points

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

  Ripe red and black cherry aromas with a hint of cherry liqueur and new oak spice. Black cherry flavors with good spice. Great fruit concentration with big, rugged tannins. Hold for the long-term.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1988 Joseph Drouhin Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts 86 Points

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

  Earthy aromas with some remaining red fruit. Not much spice on either nose or palate. Still lots of acidity and tannin, but clearly fading fruit. I don't think this wine ever perfectly balanced but I think is better to drink now than hold and hope it balances in the future.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1990 Joseph Drouhin Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts 92 Points

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

  Good floral start with ripe red cherry and raspberry aromas. Same fruit profile on palate with good baking spice. Well balanced sweet fruit with good concentration end length.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1997 Domaine Méo-Camuzet Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Brûlées 92 Points

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

  Aromas of ripe black fruit with intense baking spice and cocoa. Same ripe, dense black fruit on palate with lots of spice. Modest acidity and tannins, this is drinking well now and probably right at its peak. Drink up, very easy to enjoy.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1998 Domaine Méo-Camuzet Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Brûlées 93 Points

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

  Aromas of tart red cherry with plenty of baking spice. Same red cherry flavors, quite elegant if not powerful. Good spice from start to finish. Glad we decanted this wine, as it kept improving with more time in glass and air. At the start of its peak drinking window.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1988 Domaine René Engel Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Brulées 91 Points

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

  Aromas of sturdy red fruit, showing lots of power if not much finesse. Red fruit with modest spice on palate, still showing sturdy tannins and assertive acids. Very good flavors, just not perfectly pristine.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1995 Domaine René Engel Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Brulées 93 Points

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

  Red and black cherry aromas with enough baking spice to give a sense of sweet cherry pie. Similar fruit profile on the palate, showing much better than many other 1995s that are too dominated by acid and tannins vs. fruit. This is still backward but showing great balance and long-term potential.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue