Impromptu gathering with Ken at Tachibana

Ken McNamara emailed me for an impromptu gathering to share a couple bottles of Burgundy. Tachibana was the most convenient location for both of us so we met there. The food was solid as usual, nothing inspiring but very good. Ken wanted to try the NV Krug Rose so we ended up trying two full and one half bottle. All the wines showed really well.

• NV Krug Champagne Brut Rosé 95 Points

  France, Champagne

  Served from an half bottle. Consistent with the previous impressions. Vinous nose, delicate sweet red fruit driven nose, raspberry essence, caramel and earth. Fine mousse, delicate sweet red fruit driven palate impression, mineral and lovely clean finish. A crowd pleaser for sure.

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• 1992 Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Pucelles 94 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru

  The 92 Leflaive Chevalier has been one of my top five whites. This bottle has been ideally cellared and I am the second owner. Expressive nose of very ripe yellow pit fruits, apple butter, sweet spices, a hint of honey and mineral. Unctuous palate, almost oily, sweet almost dessert wine like palate impression and lovely long finish. This is closer to the 92 Batard than the Chevalier, very bold and expressive. Ken took the remaining bottle home and informed me that The color lighten up some and more of the flower and lemon grass notes started to emerge and the “late harvest” notes faded which is exactly what I would have expected. If you want to experience exotic ripe Chardonnay, please serve pop and pour. If you prefer the precision, decant for three four hours.
  

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• 2005 Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos St. Jacques Vieille Vigne 97 Points

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

  According to Ken it was decanted for about 3 hours in a decanter and then it was probably back in the bottle for about another 2-2.5 hours before poured. Intoxicating nose displaying perfectly ripe blackberries and raspberries, exotic sweet incense, a hint of fine dust, flowers, perfume, tree bark and a slight hint of sous bois. Excellent concentration, perfectly ripe dark fruit driven palate impression, nicely integrated tannins and perfectly harmonious finish. Ken mentioned first about the fine dust and I told him it reminded me of stems. Ken informed me no stem inclusion but I found the dusty note similar to the stem. We were pleasantly surprised by how well this was drinking. This is reaching the beginning stage of the drinking window. It will definitely improve, gaining additional tertiary notes including sous bois and truffle.

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I am always amazed and thankful that my passion for wine enabled me to meet so many interesting people and made so many friends. Our conversation evolved around Burgundy and although we dined for over three hours, it wasn’t quite enough.