2021 Burgundy Tasting

SommCellars
Tasted Saturday, February 17, 2024 by andant57 with 59 views

Flight 1 - Chablis (2 Notes)

2021 Domaine Louis Michel Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre 91 Points

France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru

This is a focused and classically styled Chablis that speaks of place with clarity. The nose opens with bright citrus—fresh lemon and preserved peel—layered over crushed oyster shell, wet stone, and a faint phenolic edge. On the palate, it's medium(+) in body with firm texture and tactile grip. A whisper of vanilla lends subtle richness, though the wine sees no oak, and its malolactic softness is barely perceptible. Tightly coiled with saline intensity, it finishes clean, stony, and pure. Not a flamboyant wine, but one of quiet depth and serious potential.

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2021 Vincent Dauvissat (René & Vincent) Chablis 1er Cru La Forest 93 Points

France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru

A benchmark bottle from one of Chablis' most revered producers. This is deeply mineral and precise, offering lemon zest, oyster shell, chalk dust, and sea spray on the nose. There’s also a savory note—almost iodine—that brings a marine freshness. The palate is energetic and tightly knit, with medium(+) acidity supporting a structured core of red apple, citrus pith, and wet rock. A restrained use of oak lends gentle volume without distracting from the precision. It finishes with length, clarity, and a calm power. This is serious, ageworthy Chablis with unmistakable typicity.

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Flight 2 - Côte d'Or White (4 Notes)

2021 Etienne Sauzet Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Jardin du Calvaire 90 Points

France, Burgundy, Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune

This feels like a baby Meursault in disguise, but with a sunnier, more generous tone. The bouquet is open and expressive—popcorn, browned butter, ripe pear, quince, and red apple swirl together. There's a soft plushness to the palate, framed by medium(+) acidity that lifts the weight. The wine leans toward the modern and approachable side, with just enough tension to keep it fresh. Some unripe stone fruit and a slightly lean back-end suggest it may not improve much with age, but it's full of charm now. A warm-vintage white with elegance and volume.

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2021 Domaine Matrot Meursault 91 Points

France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault

Rich and classic, this Meursault walks the line between structure and indulgence. The nose is ripe—melon, peach, and lemon curd—layered with subtle lees and hazelnut cream. Medium(+) acidity gives shape and lift to the plush, velvety texture, while the wine remains impeccably balanced throughout. The finish is long and composed, with soft citrus and savory chalky nuances that anchor its fruit. It may gain detail with age, but it’s already an enveloping, comforting wine with admirable finesse. This is Meursault in a modern, accessible register.

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2021 Francois Carillon Puligny-Montrachet 94 Points

France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet

Elegant, polished, and quietly radiant. This Puligny charms with lifted aromas of peach blossom, white nectarine, citrus peel, and floral spice—mace, ginger, and a faint touch of nutmeg. The palate is supple yet finely detailed, with a creamy flow that never feels heavy. There's ripeness here, but it’s kept in perfect check by fresh acidity and minerality. A kiss of oak adds dimension, not weight. This is a beautifully judged wine—poised and expressive, with Puligny's signature finesse showing clearly. A joy to drink now but will reward aging.

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2021 J.M. Boillot Puligny-Montrachet 93 Points

France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet

A bolder, more hedonistic expression of Puligny, with layers of ripe apple, melon, and rich pastry cream. There's a lot going on aromatically—apple pie, tarte tatin, even hints of tropical fruit and honeysuckle. The palate is full-bodied, mouth-filling, and creamy, with rounded acidity and ample oak influence. Malolactic richness is present but integrated. The finish shows yeasty, bready notes reminiscent of vintage Champagne, lending an unexpected twist. Though a bit broad and forward, this wine will please those who enjoy a more opulent, luxurious white Burgundy.

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Flight 3 - Côte d'Or Red (2 Notes)

2021 Domaine des Lambrays Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Les Loups 90 Points

France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru

A vibrant and layered red that delivers immediate appeal. The nose brims with ripe blueberry, wild strawberry, and black plum, overlaid with smoke, spice, and forest air. The palate is juicy yet precise, medium-bodied with medium(+) acidity and fine, silky tannins. Bitterness on the finish adds tension and structure, while hints of tobacco, cherry pit, and sous bois lend early signs of evolution. There’s a nice sense of freshness that supports its fruit intensity. It will age gracefully over 5–7 years.

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2021 Domaine des Lambrays Clos des Lambrays 96 Points

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

Profound and ethereal—a wine of both concentration and grace. Aromas unfold in layers: smoke, wet earth, underbrush, and dried rose petals, followed by dark berries, aronia, and crushed stones. On the palate, it’s structured yet weightless, with superfine tannins and a seamless, floating texture. The minerality is palpable and almost haunting in its persistence. There’s something spiritual in how this wine carries itself—powerful yet subtle, and at the same time, aromatic and expressive. The finish is long and echoing, with whispers of forest floor and spice. Grand Cru pedigree on full display.

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