Brought as an aperitif to start. Very pretty, pale pink colour. Slightly muted at first but improved tremendously with air as it gained precision. Fresh, filigreed strawberry fruit, good balance between the warm vintage and the steeliness of Cristal. Superb verve and tension, but I do think the 2013 that I had last year edged this.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru
The centrepiece wine and it lived up to expectations. Slightly worried at first as it wasn't showing much, but when we revisited it had clearly pulled ahead of the pack. Perfumed, floral nose with sweet toffee notes, so delicate and beautiful on both the nose and the palate. I look out for texture in wines and this was absolutely it, so sensual and seamless; the tea-like tannins reminded me stylistically of Giacosa. Truly grateful to have tasted this.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru
A bit ho-hum at first, was worried it might be a litte over-the-hill but I fell in love when I revisited this. Classic, old-school Burgundy with lots of character; sweet stemmy fruit that was also plush and spicy. I do agree with some flaws that others raised - a little over-ripe, some rough tannins etc, but this had the magic that puts a smile on your face when drinking it. A sensational wine but I was in the minority.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Bonnes Mares Grand Cru
Supremely floral and sensual nose, not surprising this had the best nose of the night. Palate was a little more challenging for me, rather masculine and coiled up but when it flitted towards opening up this was an absolute beauty. Texture was pure silk, but unfortunately the pretty red fruit never fully unveiled itself. Agree with Burgnick's comment that this was more BM than Mugnier. Conservative score but definitely 97+ potential.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru
My contribution, opened two hours before dinner. Slightly lean at first but fleshed out over the course of dinner, definitely a wine for classic Burgundy lovers that don't mind acidity. A distracting mint note emerged but thankfully disappeared quickly. Texturally I thought it didn't match the more esteemed makers at first but the last glass was ethereal and complete. A more feminine expression of CdB that I loved.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Echezeaux Grand Cru
Explosive, sensual nose and an equally seductive palate. Rich, dark and spicy fruit, agree that it became more closed over dinner. Others liked this a lot but this was a little too dense for me despite its evident quality, lacked the ethereal nature of the other wines in the line-up. Stylistically this was also a little too masculine for me, compared to the incredibly pretty, red-fruited '08 CDLR that I had last year.
2012 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut Rosé 94 Points
France, Champagne
Brought as an aperitif to start. Very pretty, pale pink colour. Slightly muted at first but improved tremendously with air as it gained precision. Fresh, filigreed strawberry fruit, good balance between the warm vintage and the steeliness of Cristal. Superb verve and tension, but I do think the 2013 that I had last year edged this.
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1996 Domaine Armand Rousseau Père et Fils Chambertin-Clos de Bèze 96 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru
The centrepiece wine and it lived up to expectations. Slightly worried at first as it wasn't showing much, but when we revisited it had clearly pulled ahead of the pack. Perfumed, floral nose with sweet toffee notes, so delicate and beautiful on both the nose and the palate. I look out for texture in wines and this was absolutely it, so sensual and seamless; the tea-like tannins reminded me stylistically of Giacosa. Truly grateful to have tasted this.
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2000 Domaine Dujac Clos Saint-Denis 95 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru
A bit ho-hum at first, was worried it might be a litte over-the-hill but I fell in love when I revisited this. Classic, old-school Burgundy with lots of character; sweet stemmy fruit that was also plush and spicy. I do agree with some flaws that others raised - a little over-ripe, some rough tannins etc, but this had the magic that puts a smile on your face when drinking it. A sensational wine but I was in the minority.
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2007 Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier Bonnes Mares 94 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Bonnes Mares Grand Cru
Supremely floral and sensual nose, not surprising this had the best nose of the night. Palate was a little more challenging for me, rather masculine and coiled up but when it flitted towards opening up this was an absolute beauty. Texture was pure silk, but unfortunately the pretty red fruit never fully unveiled itself. Agree with Burgnick's comment that this was more BM than Mugnier. Conservative score but definitely 97+ potential.
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2013 Domaine Duroché Chambertin-Clos de Bèze 94 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru
My contribution, opened two hours before dinner. Slightly lean at first but fleshed out over the course of dinner, definitely a wine for classic Burgundy lovers that don't mind acidity. A distracting mint note emerged but thankfully disappeared quickly. Texturally I thought it didn't match the more esteemed makers at first but the last glass was ethereal and complete. A more feminine expression of CdB that I loved.
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2014 Domaine Dujac Echezeaux 93 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Echezeaux Grand Cru
Explosive, sensual nose and an equally seductive palate. Rich, dark and spicy fruit, agree that it became more closed over dinner. Others liked this a lot but this was a little too dense for me despite its evident quality, lacked the ethereal nature of the other wines in the line-up. Stylistically this was also a little too masculine for me, compared to the incredibly pretty, red-fruited '08 CDLR that I had last year.
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