Like my last bottle three years ago, this was from a later disgorgement. Guessed this as a house-like grower from ‘04. A hedonistic champagne that was a little too sweet and alcoholic for me compared to the previous bottle, but incredibly fresh and vibrant for ‘96.
Thought this was a grower at first with its bracing acidity but its underlying sweetness began to show with time. Quite red-fruited so guessed ‘08 Pinot dominant house, good tension but midpalate was a little hollow. My favourite champagne in the line-up, this is probably one of the more overlooked tête de cuvées.
Quite dark in colour with some oxidative tones but agreed with someone who said that came from oak ageing and that this was relatively young. Guessed '12 Chardonnay because of the zesty, ripe green apple fruit which had an interesting orange tinge. Very different from the austere bottle two years ago.
Had a distinct lactic note that I find in natural growers, so very youthful and vibrant that I guessed '09. Unfortunately the quality of fruit was rather poor, no delineation at all so think they tried to mask it with yeasty brioche notes. Really didn't like this.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru
Wonderful nose and so youthful that made me think '99 Vosne, but when revealed to be a '93 I thought it was a lighter Gevrey grand cru. Similar to previous impressions, a wonderfully mature and elegant Burgundy with the sappy fruit in typical Drouhin fashion. My favourite negoce by far.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Echezeaux Grand Cru
Rather brutish alongside the Drouhin of the same vintage but similar youthful. Dark red fruit with some unresolved tannins, the structure and rustic edge to this meant that it suffered beside the Drouhin.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos Vougeot Grand Cru
Almost everyone was in Chambolle for this including myself, I guessed '10 for the vintage because of the balance. A floral and seductive nose with a silky texture on the palate. Attractive, spicy dark fruit that had the stuffing from a warmer year. Haven't liked Grivot from the early '00s but perhaps '07 was the turning point.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru
My contribution, wanted to check in on this after a thin and acidic bottle last year. Someone said candied but I didn't think it was jammy like '18s, just that the nature of the red fruit suggested that it was from a warmer vintage. Agree that it was more structured and tannic than I expect from Bertheau who usually has a lighter touch, but this bottle suggests that this wine needs a lot more time. More integrated with time in the glass.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos Vougeot Grand Cru
Guessed '05 because of the burly structure, but surprisingly fresh for a Potel which has a tendency to be advanced. A decent drink other than excessive soil notes and the lack of clarity in the fruit.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru
Very primary but showing a glimpse of its potential with a nose that suggested expensive oak, guessed '15 Chambolle. Similar impressions to the previous experience except this was more backward and structured, preferred the bottle two years ago that was more delicate.
1996 Duval-Leroy Champagne Grand Cru Femme de Champagne 91 Points
France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
Like my last bottle three years ago, this was from a later disgorgement. Guessed this as a house-like grower from ‘04. A hedonistic champagne that was a little too sweet and alcoholic for me compared to the previous bottle, but incredibly fresh and vibrant for ‘96.
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2012 Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brut La Grande Dame 92 Points
France, Champagne
Thought this was a grower at first with its bracing acidity but its underlying sweetness began to show with time. Quite red-fruited so guessed ‘08 Pinot dominant house, good tension but midpalate was a little hollow. My favourite champagne in the line-up, this is probably one of the more overlooked tête de cuvées.
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2013 Champagne Du Goupil Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 91 Points
France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
Quite dark in colour with some oxidative tones but agreed with someone who said that came from oak ageing and that this was relatively young. Guessed '12 Chardonnay because of the zesty, ripe green apple fruit which had an interesting orange tinge. Very different from the austere bottle two years ago.
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2002 Ayala Champagne Perle d'Ayala 85 Points
France, Champagne
Had a distinct lactic note that I find in natural growers, so very youthful and vibrant that I guessed '09. Unfortunately the quality of fruit was rather poor, no delineation at all so think they tried to mask it with yeasty brioche notes. Really didn't like this.
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1993 Joseph Drouhin Charmes-Chambertin 94 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru
Wonderful nose and so youthful that made me think '99 Vosne, but when revealed to be a '93 I thought it was a lighter Gevrey grand cru. Similar to previous impressions, a wonderfully mature and elegant Burgundy with the sappy fruit in typical Drouhin fashion. My favourite negoce by far.
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1993 Mongeard-Mugneret Echezeaux 91 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Echezeaux Grand Cru
Rather brutish alongside the Drouhin of the same vintage but similar youthful. Dark red fruit with some unresolved tannins, the structure and rustic edge to this meant that it suffered beside the Drouhin.
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2007 Domaine Jean Grivot Clos Vougeot 93 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos Vougeot Grand Cru
Almost everyone was in Chambolle for this including myself, I guessed '10 for the vintage because of the balance. A floral and seductive nose with a silky texture on the palate. Attractive, spicy dark fruit that had the stuffing from a warmer year. Haven't liked Grivot from the early '00s but perhaps '07 was the turning point.
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2009 Domaine Bertheau (Pierre et François) Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru 91 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru
My contribution, wanted to check in on this after a thin and acidic bottle last year. Someone said candied but I didn't think it was jammy like '18s, just that the nature of the red fruit suggested that it was from a warmer vintage. Agree that it was more structured and tannic than I expect from Bertheau who usually has a lighter touch, but this bottle suggests that this wine needs a lot more time. More integrated with time in the glass.
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1999 Nicolas Potel Clos Vougeot 89 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos Vougeot Grand Cru
Guessed '05 because of the burly structure, but surprisingly fresh for a Potel which has a tendency to be advanced. A decent drink other than excessive soil notes and the lack of clarity in the fruit.
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2009 Domaine Bruno Clavelier Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru La Combe d'Orveaux Vieilles Vignes 92 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru
Very primary but showing a glimpse of its potential with a nose that suggested expensive oak, guessed '15 Chambolle. Similar impressions to the previous experience except this was more backward and structured, preferred the bottle two years ago that was more delicate.
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1993 Domaine Bruno Clavelier Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru La Combe d'Orveaux Vieilles Vignes Flawed
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru
Unfortunately oxidised.
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