Burgundy Night

Well a few of us got together to sample some nice Burgundies with some great French cooking. Present were: Delyap, Tommy O', John, Bart (BKH) and yours truly. We got a nice cross-section and a good learning experience from these very different Burgundies (plus one New World Chard ringer). The wines and company were greatly enjoyed by all.

• 2002 Kongsgaard Chardonnay 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  On the nose, a hint of oak, but not obtrusive. On the palate, likewise. Pristine fruit, with perfect MacIntosh apples. Nice acidity. A round, creamy mouthfilling wine that opens up with some air and a few degrees of warmth.

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• 2002 Jean-Marc Brocard Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 88 Points

  France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru

  The nose on this wine is odd. I smell urine. Tommy adds that it smells of asparagus urine...and he's right. Peculiar and a touch unsettling. On the palate, the wine is very crisp. There is no, I repeat no, perceptible oak. The wine features green pears and a little grapefruit. It has a flinty mineral streak. Solid acids lift the wine to the point of nervy. If you got 'em, hold 'em.

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• 1991 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Echezeaux 94 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Echezeaux Grand Cru

  Has the beautiful dull ruby hue of a maturing Burgundy. The nose...the nose...the nose...oh God, this is a classic DRC nose. Do I have to drink it? Can I smell it forever? Sadly, all good things must end. The earthiness and perfume of the perfect nose continue onto the palate. With these essences, some spices and gorgeous ripe cherry fruit join the party. The wine has great acidity, but some slightly rough tannin tells that the wine needs some more age (at least 5 years) and that it will never achieve the level of its more pedigreed stablemates...but I'll gladly drink it whenever it is poured! What a treat.

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• 2001 Dominique Laurent Beaune 1er Cru Les Greves 87 Points

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

  (Labelled as Vielles Vignes) This has a less Burgundian nose with a little vinyl on it and later some shoe leather. It is not really oaky, but has young pinot fruit. Also some multivitamins. Big on structure, but with a short finish.

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• 1997 Domaine des Lambrays Clos des Lambrays 89 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru

  This shows some chemical/fly oil on the nose. On the palate, the wine is very open with sweet '97 roasted fruit, black pepper and cream. This is a big fruit wine. It is almost New Worldish.

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• 1997 Faiveley Corton-Clos des Cortons Faiveley 91 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru

  Gorgeous vibrant red color. Nose that was like a mini version of the '91 DRC Echezeaux sampled with it. Early in the night, forbiddingly tight. Later opened to show nice complexity. Powerful, fresh big black fruit. Closes down tight on the finish, but this is one '97 with quite a future.

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Thanks to everyone for sharing these great wines with the group.