Burgundy dinner – 90 Krug, Raveneau, Leroy, M. Gibourg, Truchot, H Lignier and etc.

We decided to organize a Burgundy dinner. I was anticipating a small gathering since it was a short notice but we were seven of us. We were seated at a spacious table and the wine service was a top notch as usual.

We really savored this bottle. The best example of the 90 Krug I had.

• 1990 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut 98 Points

  France, Champagne

  This must be Randy’s house champagne. He so generously shared this once again and it was perhaps the best showing. Beautiful harmonious vinous nose displaying apple, tarte tatin, dry orange rind, creme brulee, anise, coriander, brioche, limestone and red fruits. There is strong red fruit impression which makes this particular bottle to drink like a red wine and very vinous. Fully body, sweet red and ripe yellow fruit driven palate impression, mineral, noticeable acidity that keeps the wine fresh and lovely extremely long finish. . The fruit impression is quite sweet as one can expect from the 90 vintage but the bright acidity keeps the wine fresh and lively. This bottle is drinking incredibly well, fully mature but quite fresh.

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IMO, Raveneau has to be the most consistent white Burgundy producer along with Coche. It was interesting to taste eight year old Condrieu.

• 2007 François Raveneau Chablis Grand Cru Valmur 95 Points

  France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru

  I really love how the 07 reds and whites are drinking at the moment. They are neither most impressive nor most concentration but quite balanced and harmonious. They have remained relatively open and now very much reach the beginning of the ideal drinking windows from top to bottom. My last impression from two years ago was that the wine seemed a bit fat but now it shed the primary fruits and much more harmonious. Beautiful mineral note, honey, honeysuckle, lemon oil, wax and limestone. Very harmonious palate, soft and subtle yellow fruit driven palate impression, not showing much acidity and lovely clean mineral driven medium finish. Drinking beautifully, no need to hurry for sure but so darn tasty no need to wait either.

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• 2009 François Raveneau Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre 94 Points

  France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru

  Another great showing. Starts a bit tight but opens up beautifully. White fruits, pear, lemon, citrus, honey, white flowers, saline and limestone. Exceptional concentration, still opulent fruit expression, bright acidity and long finish. Bigger than the 07 Valmur but perhaps not as layered. Quite energetic and youthful. Kinda wine that lifts the spirit and gives energy.

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• 2005 Domaine Georges Vernay Condrieu Coteau de Vernon 92 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Condrieu

  The first wine book I purchased was Hugh Johnson's encyclopedia of wine where he recommends that Condrieu needs to be consumed immediately after release to enjoy the fresh floral nose. This however has aged beautifully, sort of reminiscent of Hermitage Blanc. With age, no longer lychee and white flowers, orange peel, orange blossom, quince, sweet spices, honey and almond paste. Unctuous but nicely balanced and noticeable acidity. I believe you have to be open minded as if you are looking for the typical fresh condrieu nose and palate, you won’t really care for this aged condrieu. We all enjoyed the wine.

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• 1990 Domaine Georges Mugneret-Gibourg Ruchottes-Chambertin 96 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Ruchottes-Chambertin Grand Cru

  Beautiful complex nose of dark fruits, blackberries, dry cherries, flowers, mineral, caramel, sous bois, iron and truffle. For me, the truffle note was really strong. Fully integrated harmonious palate, intense sweet dark fruit driven palate impression, mineral, iron and truffle and lovely long finish. So floral and trufflicious! Fully mature and drinking incredibly well. Very complete wine. A great example of the 90, ie lovely ripe fruits without compromising the expressiveness in the nose.

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• 1996 Domaine Georges Mugneret-Gibourg Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Feusselottes 91 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru

  I really love the Feusselottes from M Gibourg but this seems a bit too masculine and earthy for me. Sour red fruit driven nose, rhubarb, sour cherry, mint, iodine, blood and earth. Good concentration, red fruit driven palate impression, bright acidity and still noticeable structure. Perhaps it needs additional five also years of cellaring. For me, more NSG than Chambolle.

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• 1990 Domaine Leroy Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Boudots 92 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru

  Jammy dark fruit driven nose, dark cherries, blackberry jelly, violet, noticeable Asian spices, ginseng and mint. Exceptional concentration as expected from the 90 Leroy, jammy dark fruit driven palate impression and noticeable structure. It is a bit monolithic despite showing a hint of vosne nose a la Asian spices. Perhaps still need more time. I think this is where my note may be helpful for those who wish to purchase mature Leroy. I would rather pay a bit more and try the Beaux Monts.

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• 1993 Hubert Lignier Clos de la Roche 94 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos de la Roche Grand Cru

  I had this almost ten years ago and really love it. The nose is not as expressive. Sweet red fruit driven nose, raspberry, truffle, sous bois, caramel, mushroom, mineral and earth. Exceptional concentration, rich jammy palate and good length. This seems a bit denser and a bit less expressive than the last bottle as I recall. I would love to revisit in a couple years. The 96 seems more pure and precise in this evening.

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• 1996 Hubert Lignier Clos de la Roche 95 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos de la Roche Grand Cru

  Pure bright red fruit driven nose, essence of raspberry, candied strawberry, red cherries, roasted coffee beans, sweet spices and mineral. Medium concentration, harmonious bright red fruit driven palate impression, bright acidity, nicely integrated tannins and love long finish. Very pure and pretty.

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• 1999 Serafin Père et Fils Charmes-Chambertin Flawed

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru

  I had this a few years back and loved it. The bottle was slightly off but lovely ripe black fruits and raspberry. Excellent concentration. Too bad as this would merit mid 90s rating.

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• 1996 Louis Jadot Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Domaine Louis Jadot 94 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru

  Very youthful nose displaying red and black fruits, red cherries and blackberry jam, mushroom and earth. Excellent concentration, dark fruit driven palate impression, bright acidity and long finish. We had a discussion regarding our possible bias due to being a big negociant wine. However our conclusion was that the wine, although exceptional in quality, didn’t really excite us. This is still youthful and will improve further at least for the next decade. Impressive wine.

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• 2006 Bodega Chacra Pinot Noir Treinta y Dos 92 Points

  Argentina, Patagonia, Río Negro

  Served blind by Alan, a bit of fizz, sweet jammy red fruit driven, strawberry, strawberry jam, dark spices, cola and dark spices. Youthful fruit expression, good concentration and acidity. My guess was a domestic Pinot. Delicious but not terribly complex. Apparently the wine is from Patagonia made by the owners of Tenuta San Guido.

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• 2001 Domaine Leroy Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Aux Combottes 94 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru

  Bright red fruit driven nose, red cherries, raspberry jam, a hint of sous bois, fish glue, sweet spices and mushroom. Excellent concentration, sweet red fruit driven palate impression, bright acidity and lovely long finish. Still very youthful but drinking nicely.

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• 2001 Domaine Truchot-Martin Clos de la Roche Vieilles Vignes 94 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos de la Roche Grand Cru

  Bright red fruits, red cherries, raspberry jam, mushroom, light caramel and earth. Medium concentration, round and soft, good acidity and clean medium finish. Not showing much sous bois at the point. Really delicious, very clean but not terribly complex.

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• 1989 Château Climens 94 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac

  I initially told Paul to save the bottle but got overruled and that is a great thing. Lovely light caramel note, a hint of candied lemon, honey, and slight hint of petrol. Excellent concentration, chewy but airy palate and long finish. For my palate, the wine is beautifully balanced. No need to analyze, just simply delicious.

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It was a really fun dinner with a bunch of good friends.