December 6, 2022 - Third bottle from a half case purchased from the Dutch importer in 2014, second bottle of the night. This bottle has no clear flaws, although it feels a bit uneasy. Decanted two hours in advance. Fragrant, lifted, nervosité bordering on nervousness, dried red berries, white nuts, firm and dry tannins with a fine grain, hints of earth and spice, very good persistence. Difficult phase or just not making good on its promise? Cautious score.
December 6, 2022 - Not correct. Not sure what the taint is. It's a bit chocolaty and raw. Hint of cocoa powder. Could be low level TCA, or acrolein taint. Probably the latter.
August 12, 2020 - After the 2014 tasting at which I first encountered this wine (and David Croix), I purchased a half case of this wine and this is the first bottle. Not decanted, but opened four hours in advance. It is really singing today, with a lovely interplay of primary and subtle tertiary flavours, ripe but fresh fruit, notes of flowers and earth and a hint of stalky energy, a silky texture and a flowing style, refined tannins, and a gently sweet but precise and long finish. Sensitive wine making aimed at elegance and finesse, but not at the expense of power and intensity. This is now on its plateau of maturity, and it should stay there for 5-8 years. I rate this very highly for its balance and panache.
November 17, 2019 - Very similar notes to the bottle I had two weeks ago, but no signs of TCA this time. Nice bright cherry notes. If served this blind, I might guess a high quality Central Coast California wine, but there’s definitely some Burgundy earth there.
November 2, 2019 - Bright cherry and wet earth on the nose. The palate shows similar notes, finishing with good acidity and a nice tannic bite. (This bottle showed just the slightest hint of TCA. It blew off after an hour or so. I hope my other two aren’t flawed.)
July 23, 2018 - Sweet nose. Palate lives up with some air. Great long fresh finish.
March 2, 2018 - La Paulée de San Francisco - The Verticals (The Fairmont - San Francisco CA): Tasting, brief note. In 11/10/09 vertical. Pretty red fruit throughout with good+ weight and length, some meaty spice and very good balance. Charming now, with upside.
March 27, 2017 - This is Pinot Noir from Burgundy. Great example of what Burgundy is. Warm, spicy, sweet. Lovely
May 23, 2016 - Good example of pinot noir from Burgundy from a great year. Fruity with a hint of oak, keeping the typicity of Burgundy.
October 25, 2014 - Wijnkoperij Okhuysen Annual Tasting (Haarlem, NL): Has all the purity, energy and drive of 2010, great style and longevity, depth and balance. A real star.