Burgundy Lunch @ The Gav

Spying an '83 Rosseau Clos de Beze on a restaurant wine list, a couple of us decided to meet again in a few weeks to share that bottle along with some Burgundies from our own cellars.

2009 Philip Chavy Puligny Montrachet Les Corvees de Vignes – some colour, bright nose showing some oak, rich in mouth with creamy finish. Almost California-style. Very good.

2009 Bouchard Meursault Genevrieres – interesting move to serve a Meursault after a Puligny, but it was the right choice. Very pale color, lemony with orange blossom and bread dough. Medium bodied with a long balanced finish. Excellent.

2004 Dauvissat Camus Chablis 1er La Forest – Some colour, soft citrus, herbs, almonds and gruyere cheese. Very complex and cencentrated--guesses started at Grand Cru. Excellent plus.

1983 Armand Rousseau Chambertin Clos de Beze – lovely bright fruit in the nose, browning edges, up front sweetness and good acidity in the mouth, long finish still showing soft tannins. A bit necrotic, though, and it deteriorated in the glass.

1983 Henri Magnien Gevrey Chambertin – riper warmer nose, less fruit, drying at end, faded quickly in the glass. The person that brought this wine said he liked it better than the Rousseau. We all quietly disagreed with him. It would have been fine a decade ago.

1988 Daniel Rion Clos de Vougeot – My bottle, exceptional wine: lovely fruit, not too ripe, some barnyard hints, big in the mouth, balanced and long, finishing with soft tannin. Outstanding.

1995 A. Chopin et fils Nuits St. Georges 1er Aux Murgers – big warm friendly nose, sweet entry, good colour, sweet in the mouth, medium long with a nice spiciness. Excellent.

1999 Ch. Rayne Vigneau – had to go non-Burgundian for the finish. Medium colour, rich caramel nose, long sweet finish. Drinks beautifully now. Excellent.