Bourgogne Master Class Northern Cote de Beaune Tasting

Only 3 of us this evening, so less wines than we often drink. Started with a White Bourgogne from outside of the region we were studying. Had a great Chicken dinner with Goat Cheese potatoes and Mushroom Jus...

• 2010 Jean Rijckaert Viré-Clessé Les Vercherres Vieilles Vignes

  France, Burgundy, Mâconnais, Viré-Clessé

  This wine has developed beautifully. Gold color. On the nose a very nice hazelnut aroma with Yellow apple and a bruised pear note. A very nice mineral edge, almost saline in nature runs through the palate as well. Acidity is elevated and helps keep everything in check. Medium body. More mineral than I expected, reminded me of an aged premier cru Chablis in many ways, with a little bit of a fuller body. I am a fan of this wine...

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Had all three lined up in glasses next to each other, tasted in order, but could go back and compare which is helpful. All tasted non-blind

• 2003 Domaine Michel Mallard & Fils Ladoix 1er Cru Les Joyeuses

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

  Was very disappointed in this wine. I didn't know much about the producer, but for a Premier Cru I was expecting much more. This wine also could have been flawed. On the nose it smelled like ludens wild cherry cough drops. Color was browning on the edges, which is to be expected at 14 years old. On the palate just dead, flat, boring, almost zero tannins, no sign of heat damage, didn't taste maderized, but just dead. Didn't show heat either from the alcohol, just odd... I have more bottles so will be curious if others show better...

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• 2012 Domaine Pierre Guillemot Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Les Serpentières

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru

  Ruby in color. On the nose cherry, with just a hint of sweetness, fresh strawberry and almost a tobacco note? On the palate this shows a good mineral edge to it, taste like Limestone! More diverse fruit profile as well, tart cranberry, even a hint of blackberry. Not a lot of organic earth, more mineral driven. Elevated acidity with medium tannins, finish lasts a good 45+ seconds as well. This has a long life ahead of it, drinking nicely now, but would hold others 5+ years if possible.

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• 2011 Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Volnay 1er Cru Taillepieds

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

  Tart cranberry and cherries right away. Forrest floor notes as well, this is organic earth driven, wet leaves, slight mushroom. Bright red fruit profile as well, Raspberry, cherry and some cranberry. Elevated to maybe even high acidity with medium tannins. This was a very nice wine, but there was something I found slightly odd. The finish hangs on for a good minute, but its the acidity that hangs on, more than the fruit and earth flavors. It is very good now, but I worry about how it may age? Tonight this was my favorite wine, but I think with another 5 years the Savigny-lès-Beaune may hold on better. The SLB was a 2012, where this was 2011, that may explain some of the difference. That being said this is a great wine that may just need to be drank sooner rather than later...

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Very disappointed with the Ladoix, but other wines all showed nicely. Volnay was my favorite of the evening, but as I said in the notes, I believe the SLB may have a longer life ahead of it...