Tasting, brief note. I don't think I've tried this since barrel sampling at Chave in 2010. This is certainly rich, waxy, dense and powerful, but I find it presently at an awkward stage that brings forward oxidative notes and makes it seem top-heavy. Often better after the 10-year mark, I wouldn't revisit for at least a few more years.
Slightly golden color. Mature apple on nose and palate with nice brown spice hints. Moderate, length and power. Not quite as enjoyable as another bottle from a year ago. Time to drink up.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru
I found it stunning when served to me blind when I first arrived at the auction. Incredible spice and floral aromas with apple, lemon and lime. Excellent density and power, perhaps slightly firm to start with an expanding finish. Identical when served to me again 3-4 hours later.
slightly reductive for the first hour after it was popped-and-poured. With more air this came across as slightly more ripe/ opulent vs typical for Raveneau, but an excellent oystershell, mineral-driven, crunchy finish that really showcases power. Give this more time in the cellar.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru
Tasting, brief note. dense and meaty with background spice and hints of Gevrey sauvage. But still very firm and backward, so I'd suspect a decade+ away from really showing its charms.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru
Tasting, brief note. If served blind I think I might have identified this as Prieuré Roch, which I most closely associate with wannabe Leroy character. Intriguing perfumed start, but still too oaky and off-kilter with the advanced maturity of the red and black berries. Palate slightly less interesting, more tired, with the energy shortfall often found in 1997s. I really can't see upside from here.
Open, tasted, then decanted. Revisited several times over 3+ hours. Black fruit and intense spice aromas that were mostly fresh and vibrant. Firm on palate to start, coming across as dark and brooding. Came across as fleshier and more fun as it got more air, also finishing with greater length.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru
Tasted and revisited several times over the course of 3 hours open. Nose showed lots of ripe, mature red fruit and good spice, but still a bit of pronounced new oak. Palate started firm with some jagged edges that softened and rounded out with more time in glass.
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Tasting, brief note. This had been open several hours before I got to taste. Very good combination of earth, cooked mushroom, mature black fruit and brown spice. Very good depth and nuance. Holding beautifully.
2008 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
Tasting, brief note. I don't think I've tried this since barrel sampling at Chave in 2010. This is certainly rich, waxy, dense and powerful, but I find it presently at an awkward stage that brings forward oxidative notes and makes it seem top-heavy. Often better after the 10-year mark, I wouldn't revisit for at least a few more years.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2001 Domaine des Comtes Lafon Meursault Clos de la Barre 90 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault
Slightly golden color. Mature apple on nose and palate with nice brown spice hints. Moderate, length and power. Not quite as enjoyable as another bottle from a year ago. Time to drink up.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2011 Coche-Dury Corton-Charlemagne 96 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru
I found it stunning when served to me blind when I first arrived at the auction. Incredible spice and floral aromas with apple, lemon and lime. Excellent density and power, perhaps slightly firm to start with an expanding finish. Identical when served to me again 3-4 hours later.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2005 François Raveneau Chablis Grand Cru Valmur 94 Points
France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru
slightly reductive for the first hour after it was popped-and-poured. With more air this came across as slightly more ripe/ opulent vs typical for Raveneau, but an excellent oystershell, mineral-driven, crunchy finish that really showcases power. Give this more time in the cellar.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2004 Louis Jadot Corton-Charlemagne Domaine des Héritiers Louis Jadot Flawed
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru
This had been open several hours when poured for me, but clearly over-the-hill and well past its prime.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2005 Bouchard Père et Fils Mazis-Chambertin 90 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru
Tasting, brief note. dense and meaty with background spice and hints of Gevrey sauvage. But still very firm and backward, so I'd suspect a decade+ away from really showing its charms.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
1997 Domaine Prieuré Roch Chambertin-Clos de Bèze 88 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru
Tasting, brief note. If served blind I think I might have identified this as Prieuré Roch, which I most closely associate with wannabe Leroy character. Intriguing perfumed start, but still too oaky and off-kilter with the advanced maturity of the red and black berries. Palate slightly less interesting, more tired, with the energy shortfall often found in 1997s. I really can't see upside from here.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
1998 Rene Rostaing Côte-Rôtie Côte Blonde 93 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
Open, tasted, then decanted. Revisited several times over 3+ hours. Black fruit and intense spice aromas that were mostly fresh and vibrant. Firm on palate to start, coming across as dark and brooding. Came across as fleshier and more fun as it got more air, also finishing with greater length.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2002 Domaine Robert Groffier Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses 91 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru
Tasted and revisited several times over the course of 3 hours open. Nose showed lots of ripe, mature red fruit and good spice, but still a bit of pronounced new oak. Palate started firm with some jagged edges that softened and rounded out with more time in glass.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
1985 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Pignan Reserve 93 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Tasting, brief note. This had been open several hours before I got to taste. Very good combination of earth, cooked mushroom, mature black fruit and brown spice. Very good depth and nuance. Holding beautifully.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No