Cote des Nuits Tour

Burgundy one of the last places I have yet to invest time and money in exploring. This event, put on by David Speer was a great kick-off for the wife and I into exploring this region. Keep in mind with these notes I have very little experience with good Burgundy, and the wife and I had just raced back from touring wineries out in the Willamette Valley. While my palate wasn't wrecked, it was not exactly razor sharp either. The pours at this event were large enough that by the time it was over I was feeling pretty good.

• 2006 Domaine Taupenot-Merme Gevrey-Chambertin 87 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin

  Flower petals dominated the nose of this wine for me, very pleasant. Rather tight on the palate, flower petals and red berries surrounded by mud and earth. Nice length in the finish with strong tannins.

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• 2004 Domaine Lignier-Michelot Morey St. Denis En la Rue de Vergy 89 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Morey St. Denis

  Earth driven nose and palate with hints of tobacco, clay, sour cherries and delicate red berries. Cleanest finish, most balanced with low strength acid and light but present tannins. This wine is not my style at all but I found it very enjoyable.

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• 2004 Domaine Lignier-Michelot Chambolle-Musigny Vieilles Vignes 85 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny

  Soapy nose drowning out flavors of flower petals and red berries. The soap was less present on the palate which showed mostly light red berries and flower petals. Strongly acidic finish, off-balance with the rest of the wine. My least favorite of the tasting.

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• 2004 Camille Giroud Vosne-Romanée 86 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée

  Most fruit-driven and carried the least acidity and tannin of the entire flight. Sour cherries, rose petals and stem. Pretty un-interesting. Went down easy but was easily forgettable.

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• 2006 Domaine Louis Boillot et Fils Gevrey-Chambertin Les Evocelles

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin

  It is hard to give this one a proper score as it was clearly not ready to drink. Big expressive nose with stone, flower petals, cherry and some chalkiness. The palate is very similar in profile to the nose but turns strongly acidic and tannic nearly in the middle of the mid-palate. Bright red berries early on.

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• 2006 Domaine Taupenot-Merme Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru La Combe d'Orveau 90 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru

  Red berries and the typical 'pinot funk' profile on the nose, completely satisfying. Silky, sexy mouthfeel. I spent a good amount of time with each taste of this wine simply rinsing it across my tongue over and over. Earth and strawberry with leaf and stem on the palate. Still young and tight, strong acid and tannins were present but were nicely balanced with each other.

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• 2006 Sylvie Esmonin (Michel et Fille) Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos St. Jacques 92 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru

  My favorite wine of the flight. A nose of sour cherry, strawberries and crushed stone. Red berries and flower petals dominated the palate with stone and mineral notes. Beautiful mouth-feel and finish with mild tannins and acidity. I saved this one for last and took my time with the rest of the taster. Beautiful stuff.

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• 2000 Domaine Taupenot-Merme Charmes-Chambertin 90 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru

  Earth-driven nose and palate with flavors of mushroom, clay, pepper, mud with delicate flavors of cherry and raspberry shining through. Acidity is still brisk and has medium strength tannins. Nice balance, delicious over-all but not my favorite of the flight.

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While I thoroughly enjoyed the event, it further solidified my feeling that my money is better spent elsewhere right now. I understand Burgundy better than before, but have yet to have that one "perfect" experience with this region that seems to drive most people who are Burgundy addicts. Someday I am sure it will happen.