Important Update From the Founder
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Oliver Bernstein Tasting
Fix St James, Sydney
Tasted March 15, 2012 by CamWheeler with 515 views
Introduction
This event put on by the Australian importer a couple of months ago was a great opportunity to try the range of wines from this producer.
It is evident that Bernstein has lofty ambitions, and the prices are extremely ambitious already to match. There are some excellent wines here and clearly some high quality vineyard holdings have been leased, I'll be keeping an interested eye on this producer in the future but at the prices asked I am unlikely to be able to acquire any significant quantities.
Flight 1 (3 notes)
White
2009 Olivier Bernstein Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Champs-Gain
88 points
Lots of reductive characters initially, but opened up with time to show florals, chalk, sea spray and peaches. Quite a nutty oak element on the palate, with a rich streak throughout the medium length. Good, and should show better with time in the bottle.
White
2009 Olivier Bernstein Meursault 1er Cru Charmes
90 points
Closed and shy on the nose, there is some lemon cream that comes through with vigorous swirling. The palate is better, showing poise and structure. Needs time.
White
2009 Olivier Bernstein Corton-Charlemagne
91 points
Creamy nose with hints of grapefruit, orange peel and lemon. The palate is rich but balanced, with great length. There is lots of potential here, I would like to see it in another 5 years.
Flight 2 (3 notes)
Red
2007 Olivier Bernstein Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Lavrottes
85 points
Cloudy colour. Cherry, earth and tobacco on the nose. Acid stands out on the palate and there isn't enough fruit, depth or structure to make up for it.
Red
2008 Olivier Bernstein Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Lavrottes
87 points
Meaty and peppery nose with some smoky aromas. Medium bodied on the palate, but not quite enough depth to be better than good.
Red
2009 Olivier Bernstein Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Lavrottes
89 points
A ripe nose with raspberry, graphite, red cherries and stems. Powerful on the palate but there is good structure to offset this. Will be better in a few years when it has had time to settle down. I preferred this to the 2007 and 2008 versions.
Flight 3 (3 notes)
Red
2009 Olivier Bernstein Gevrey-Chambertin
88 points
Black cherry and iron aromas. Quite generous with the black fruit on the palate but does have some structure and drive to go along with it. Solid wine and appealing to drink.
Red
2009 Olivier Bernstein Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Champeaux
88 points
Cherry and lots of liquorice on the nose. Has lots of fruit and some interesting texture but it could use a bit more depth on the palate. Quite good overall.
Red
2009 Olivier Bernstein Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Cazetiers
89 points
Earthy, red cherry and fresh raspberry aromas. Palate has ample tannin with good fruit weight and excellent length.
Flight 4 (1 note)
Red
2009 Olivier Bernstein Bonnes Mares
90 points
Stem driven nose, with some raspberry and violets. The palate is much more savoury, with the tannins standing out right now. Bonnes Mares is a vineyard that I love, but this didn't have the depth on the palate I'd expect even at this early stage.
Flight 5 (3 notes)
Red
2007 Olivier Bernstein Charmes-Chambertin
91 points
Nicely perfumed with a bit of smoke, truffle and red cherry. The palate is very good, it has good length and has plenty of fruit intensity but it is well balanced by well proportioned structure.
Red
2008 Olivier Bernstein Charmes-Chambertin
89 points
Cherries, some spice and floral elements. Palate isn't as nice as the nose, it is a touch on the lean side and the acid sticks out slightly.
Red
2009 Olivier Bernstein Charmes-Chambertin
91 points
Appealing nose of floral notes, earth, cherry and stem character. The palate is tasty and long, with excellent balance. Lots of potential but still great to drink now. My favourite Charmes from 07, 08 and 09.
Flight 6 (2 notes)
Red
2009 Olivier Bernstein Clos Vougeot
92 points
Great complexity to the nose with black pepper, floral, light earth and red cherries. Seriously impressive palate, the balance is superior and it has excellent structure and length. Delicate mouthfeel, but it still has impact. Superb.
Flight 7 (3 notes)
Red
2009 Olivier Bernstein Clos de la Roche
92 points
Red cherry, rocks, earth and floral notes. Palate has very attractive spice and texture to it. Good structure and length, this is an impressive wine.
Red
2009 Olivier Bernstein Mazis-Chambertin
90 points
Black cherries, coffee and raspberry on the nose. The palate is bold, with good length, but it doesn't have the depth expected.
Red
2009 Olivier Bernstein Chambertin-Clos de Bèze
93 points
Redcurrant, white pepper, truffle and some forest floor aromas. The palate has incredible structure, there is brooding fruit, tannin and acid all working together. Young but it is already obviously a serious and brilliant wine.