2007 Burgundy - Three Years On
Rating for the Vintage
Red Wines: 14.5. White Wines: 15.5.
The Size of the Crop
Red White Total
Grand Cru 12230 4126 16356
Village and Premier Cru 168721 70884 239605
Total 180951 75010 255961
Putting it brutally, 2007 is the least good red wine Burgundian vintage in the 2005 – 2009 period. Having said that, it must not be assumed that it should be considered beneath contempt. Far from it. While there are few wines, even at the very top levels, with the depth, concentration and intensity one would like to find, there is no shortage of very pleasant, fresh, fruity bottles for drinking in the relatively short term. Indeed, many village Côte de Beaunes are already soft and palatable, and it will not be long before most of the rest are equally gouleyant. They arrived onto a market which was in a state of economic shock. And for this reason, as well as their perceived quality as only moyen, their take-up was only minimal. One merchant friend was candid: 'I'm pleasantly surprised we have sold any,' he told me in January 2009, in the aftermath of the annual London Burgundy en primeur tastings.
But this means that are - or were - a lot of bottles left unwanted in Burgundian cellars. To shift those, with better 2008s to hand a year later, plus what is already clear: an even finer, if not very fine 2009 in the pipeline, will require a face up to reality and acts of generosity on the part of the Burgundian trade. I suspect there may be some bargains to be had, both now and in the years to come.
Weather Conditions
Climatically it was a very curious year. After a mild, dry winter – only one serious frost at the end of January – Burgundy enjoyed its summer in April, with temperatures as high as the 30s (85-plus Farenheit) and four weeks of abundant sun. This ensured an early start to the vegetative cycle, and, despite inclement conditions to follow, 2007 would result in an early harvest. Thereafter, apart from a week in mid-May, when the vines flowered some three weeks in advance of the average, the weather remained cold, wet and miserable for two and a half months. Even after the 14th of July, the date most of the French consider summer has begun, it continued patchy, with more days of cloud and rain than sun. Unsettled weather persisted until the last week of August, when, right at the last minute, the clouds cleared and temperatures improved.
Overall it was a very wet summer indeed. Mildew, oidium and rot remained a constant threat. Good husbandry in the vineyard, constant vigilance and a crop reduced to the minimum were essential.
The vintage began first in the Côte de Beaune, around Monday 3rd. September. This was followed a week later by the Côte de Nuits, Chablis and the Mâconnais and Beaujolais. Usually these last two regions pick a full ten days or more ahead of the Côte d'Or. The latest to pick, the Côte Chalonnaise and the Hautes Côtes, had the best of it, being able to profit more from the return to fine weather.
Sadly, 2007 could not, like 2008 would be, claim to be a 'saved at the last minute' vintage. By mid-September the Côte d'Or fruit was ready. If left it would simply rot on the vine. In retrospect this was doubly tragic, for the autumn of 2007 was quite glorious, with leaf colour to rival Vermont at its best; and for a month or more.
It was, it hardly needs to be said, essential to tri, to eliminate sub-standard fruit before vinification. As a result most top estates have produced a reduced crop, some announcing 25 percent less than 2006 (which was by no means large). In total the Côte d'Or crop was 4.2 percent less that 2006 in red, but 18.6 percent larger in white wine.
The Wines
The Chablis results are variable. Alcohol levels are reasonable but acidities are low. Many wines are rather soft and ephemeral. There is a lack of minerality and breed. At the other end of Burgundy the Beaujolais and Mâconnais are again good but not great. Where there are some unexpectedly nice wines, as in 2008, where they are even better, is in the Côte Chalonnaise.
The white wines of the Côte de Beaune started off sultry, hiding whatever merit they might have had. Then, a year after production, one could see relatively soft-centred wines, with at the very least a refreshing acidity and ripe and racy fruit. While rather better in Meursault and Puligny than in Chassagne, they were otherwise more consistent though rather lighter than the 2006s, where there are some lovely wines, but some horrors.
As far as the red wines are concerned, once again, as so often, the Côte de Nuits has produced proportionally better wines than the Côte de Beaune. The skins were fragile, so this was a vintage to avoid subjecting the musts to too prolonged an extraction. In general the red wines are of medium weight, less than medium strength, but at their best supple, juicy, soft and full of most agreeable fruit. In some cases, especially in the Côte de Beaune, they are too tendre. In more cases, while not too feeble, what you get on the attack is all there is, there is no extra dimension on the follow-through. Only at the very top levels have we wines of intensity. But at the very least there is a pleasant supporting acidity. This is the saving grace of the 2007 vintage. So we have something between 2000 and 2001, but better in the Côte de Beaune than in these two years. And the best of these are charming and satisfying bottles to drink, if not today, very soon.
Where are the Best Wines?
The most consistent and satisfactory commune is certainly Nuit-Saint-Georges. The somewhat burly tendency of the wines has been softened by the style of the vintage. The Gevreys are also good, as are the Cortons, for much of the same reason. This is not to say that there are not some delicious wines in Vosne and Chambolle, but often there is a lack of the third dimension of concentration and vigour at the end of the palate. Too many wines are charming but soft-centered. When will the 2007s be at their Best? The vast majority of the red 2007s will be at their summit by 2014 or so: some of the weaker Côte de Beaunes are indeed already at their peak. Very few will need extra cellaring after 2016, and for the most part few will endure much beyond 2020. To get most enjoyment out of the 2007s drink the vintage while it is still fresh, as soon as it has softened up.
The Best Wines
19.5
- La Romanée, Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair
- Musigny, Domaine J.F. Mugnier
- Chambertin, Domaine Leroy
- Chambertin, Domaine Armand Rousseau
19.0
- Chambolle-Musigny, Les Amoureuses, Domaine J.F. Mugnier
- Romanée-Saint-Vivant, Domaine Alain Hudelot-Noëllat
- Romanée-Saint-Vivant, Domaine Leroy
- La Tache, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
- Bonnes-Mares, Domaine Georges Roumier
- Bonnes-Mares, Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé
- Chambertin, Domaine Louis Rémy
18.5
- Volnay, Clos des Ducs, Domaine Marquie d'Angerville
- Nuits-Saint-Georges, Clos des Porrets, Domaine Henri Gouges
- Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Saint-Georges, Domaine Henri Gouges
- Chambolle-Musigny, Les Amoureuses, Domaine Georges Roumier
- Gevrey-Chambertin, Clos-Saint-Jacques, Domaine Bruno Clair
- Corton, Bressandes, Domaine Comte Senard
- Corton, Renardes, Domaine Michel Gaunoux
- Corton, Clos du Roi, Domaine Conte Senard
- Clos de Vougeot, Domaine Grivot
- Clos de Vougeot, Domaine Leroy
- Clos de Vougeot, Vieille Vignes, Château de la Tour
- Echézeaux, Domaine Gérard Mugneret
- Echézeaux, Emmanuel Rouget
- Grands-Echézeaux, Domaine du Clos Frantin
- La Grande Rue, Domaine Lamarche
- Romanée-Saint-Vivant, Domaine Follin-Arbelet
- Romanée-Saint-Vivant, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
- Richebourg, Domaine Grivot
- Richebourg, Domaine Leroy
- Romanée-Conti, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
- Musigny, Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé
- Chapelle-Chambertin, Domaine Rossignol-Trapet
- Chambertin, Clos de Bèze, Domaine du Clos Frantin
- Chambertin, Clos de Bèze, Domaine Bruno Clair
- Chambertin, Domaine Bertagna
- Chambertin, Maison Henri Boillot
- Chambertin, Maison Camille Giroud
- Chambertin, Domaine Jean et Jean-Louis Trapet
The Tasting
The vast majority of the following wines were sampled at the Annual Domaines Familieux tasting in Paris in March 2010 and The Group's annual tasting at the end of August 2010. I have added others, tasted for the most part on my annual visit to the U.S.A in April 2010. Most of the Domaine Leroy wines and those of the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti were sampled in situ.
RED WINES
COTE DE BEAUNE
Santenay, Beauregard, Domaine Chanson.. From 2011Medium colour. Light, fruity; slightly earthy nose. Light to medium body. Ripe and fruity. Quite good. Just about ready.
Santenay, Beaurepaire, Domaine Vincent Morey. From 2011Medium colour. Soft nose. Somewhat thin and one-dimensional. Not a great deal of style either. Not bad at best.
Santenay, Beaurepaire, Domaine Anne-Marie et Jean-Marc Vincent. From 2011Light, soft, easy to drink. No great weight at all. And not much style either. Only fair.
Santenay, Gravières, Domaine Anne-Marie et Jean-Marc Vincent. From 2013This is rather better than their Beaurepaire. Fresher, more depth, more future. In fact a most attractive example.
Santenay, Passe-Temps, DomaineAnne-Marie et Jean-Marc Vincent. From 2013A little lighter than their Gravières, but generous and succulent. Fresh enough. But I prefer the Gravières.
Monthelie, Sur la Velle, Domaine Eric de Suremain.From 2014Medium to medium-full body. Sophisticated and positive Good tannins. Very good fruit. Positive and promising. There have been improvements here. (And the village wine can also be recomended).
Savigny-Lès-Beaune, La Dominode, Domaine Chanson. From 2011Medium colour. Thin on the nose. A bit cheap. Light, rustic and already a bit astringent.
Savigny-Lès-Beaune, Les Godeaux, Maison Seguin-Manuel. From 2012Medium colour. Soft, fruity, charming nose. No great backbone but the fruit is stylish and the wine fresh and balanced. Good depth here. Good for what is is.
Savigny-Lès-Beaune, Les Lavières, Domaine Camus-Brochon. From 2011Medium colour. soft nose. Rather thin and one-dimensional, but not bad.
Savigny-Lès-Beaune, Les Lavières, Domaine Chandon de Briailles. From 2012Lightish, but interesting nevertheless. Good attack, but it lacks a bit of grip. Not bad plus.
Savigny-Lès-Beaune, Les Lavières, Maison Seguin-Manuel. From 2012A similar wine to the Godeaux, but with just a little bit more to it, especially on the follow through. An attractive if unpretentious wine for early drinking.
Savigny-Lès-Beaune, Les Narbantons, Domaine Camus-Brochon. From 2011Medium colour. not much on the nose. Thin, short and cheap on the palate. Unexcitung.
Savigny-Lès-Beaune, Les Narbantons, Domaine Leroy.From 2014Firm for a 2007 on both the nose and the palate. Slightly hard at present on the attack. Good follow through though. No lack of wine here.
Savigny-Lès-Beaune, Les Peuillets, Domaine Nicky Potel. From 2011Medium colour. A hint of volatile acidity on the nose. Thin and astringent on the palate. Unexciting.
Savigny-Lès-Beaune, Les Vergelesses, Domaine Simon Bize.From 2014Good colour. Styish nose. Nice plummy fruit. Good depth and tannins for a 2007 and plenty of class. Positive at the end. Very good.
Pernand-Vergelesses, Les Vergelesses, Domaine Chanson.From 2012Medium colour. Good fruit on the nose. good weight on the palate. Will still improve positive and stylish.
Pernand-Vergelesses, Ile de Vergelesses, Domaine Chandon de Briailles.From 2014Medium colour. Plenty of depth and personality on the nose. Lovely supple fruit. Medium to medium-full body. Good tannins. Nice and rich and fresh and complex. Plenty of energy. Lovely.
Pernand-Vergelesses, Ile de Vergelesses, Domaine Rollin. .From 2011Medium colour. Earthy nose. Light and thin and lacks fruit. Not special.
Aloxe-Corton, Les Suchots, Domaine Simon Bize. From 2011A bit light and thin. Forward. Ununspiring.
Beaune, Aigrots, Domaine Michel Lafarge. From 2014Fragrant nose. Stylish, ripe and medium bodied. Lacks a little energy but long and lovely. Very good.
Beaune, Boucherottes, Domaine A.F. Gros. From 2011Medium to medium-full colour. Lightish nose but elegant and fruity. Medium body. Decent class, fruit and balance. Quite good.
Beaune, Bressandes, Domaine Chanson. From 2011Medium colour. Quite fruity and fragrant on the nose. Not a lot of weight and grip but a pleasant forward bottle.
Beaune, Bressandes, Domaine des Croix. From 2011Medium body. I don't think this is the best of bottles, but it improved in the glass. At first very herbaceous. Underneath medium body, some decent fruit at at least some grip.
Beaune, Champ Pimont, Domaine Chanson.From 2012Medium full colour. Round, ripe and fruity on the nose. Ample, juicy, medium to medium-full bodied on the palate. Good grip. Good plus.
Beaune, Cras, Domaine du Château de Chorey. From 2013Medium colour. Good, ripe, positive nose. Rich, fullish bodied and ample. Plenty of energy and dimension. Very good.
Beaune, Coucherias, Domaine Francois Labet. From 2014Medium body. Youthful, fruity, ripe, balanced and stylish. Rather better than it used to be. Good plus.
Beaune, Epenottes, Domaine Jean-Marc Boillot. From 2012Medium to medium-full colour. Good class and weight on the nose. Medium to medium-full body. Good grip. Positive. Elegant. long. Very good.
Beaune, Clos des Fèves, Domaine Chanson. From 2012Medium colour. Pleasantly fruity, if somewhat earthy nose. Positive. medium bodied. Quite good plus.
Beaune, Grèves, Vigne de l'Enfant Jesu, Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils. From 2012Medium colout. A touch of reduction at first. Fresher on the palate. Medium weight. Quite fresh, fruity and positive at the end. Quite good.
Beaune, Grèves, Domaine Chanson. From 2011Medium colour. Medium weight on the nose, but fragrant and elegant. Medium body. Fresh at the end. Lacks a bit of bite but not bad plus.
Beaune, Grèves, Domaine des Croix. From 2011Medium colour. Fruiy nose. Juicy and agreeable. Medium body. Positive finish. Quite good.
Beaune, Grèves, Domaine de Montille. From 2013Medium to medium-full body. Quite rich. Plump and ripe. Good backbone and grip. Crisp and stylish. Long and positive. Very good.
Beaune, Grèves, Domaine Nicky Potel. From 2012Medium to medium-full colour. Rich, fat and ample on the nose.Very good fruit here. Medium to medium-full body. Good structure. Good drip. positive at the end very good.
Beaune, Grèves, Domaine Tollot-Beaut. From 2012Medium colour. Earthy nose. A bit reduced at first. But this soon blew off. Positive and balanced. Some substance. Quite good.
Beaune, Clos des Marconnets, Domaine Chanson. From 2011Medium colour. Some weight but not much style on the nose. A bit cheap on the palate.
Beaune, Marconnets, Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils. From 2011Medium colour. Light nose, lacking weight and grip. Ripe but slight on the palate. Some style though.
Beaune, Clos des Mouches, Domaine Joseph Drouhin. From 2013Medium to medium-full body. Quiet attack. But a good positiver follow through. Ripe and vigorous. Long and classy. Lovely fruit. Very good indeed.
Beaune, Pertuisots, Domaine des Croix. From 2011Medium colour. A little thin on the nose. Pretty but light and forward. Will it get astringent? Only fair.
Beaune, Pertuisots, Domaine Jean-Yves Devevey.From 2011Medium colour. Not a lot on the nose. Medium body. Lacks a bit of fruit. Some astringency already. Only fair.
Beaune, Pertuisots, Domaine Nicky Potel. From 2011Medium colour. Ripe nose, but a bit rustic. Medium to medium-full body. Slightly dry on the follow-through. decent fruit and grip, but not exciting.
Beaune, Clos du Roi, Domaine Tollot-Beaut. From 2012Medium colour. Ripe, stylish, creamy nose. Medium to medium-full body. Good depth. Ample fruit. Lovely.
Beaune, Les Sizies, Domaine de Montille. From 2013Medium weight. Not really very much depth. Pretty fruit. Decent balance. But a bit suoerfucial. Quite good.
Beaune, Teurons, Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils. From 2012Medium colour. Soft and fruity on the nose. But not much depth. Medium weight. Fresh and easy to drink.
Beaune, Teurons, Domaine Chanson. From 2012Medium colour. Ripe but just a little thin on the nose. Fresh and easy to enjoy on the palate. Medium weight. Positive at the end.
Beaune, Teurons, Domaine de Château du Chorey. Drink soonMedium colour. High toned and rather thin on the nose. Weedy and short.
Beaune, Teurons, Domaine Rossignol-Trapet. From 2011Medium colour. Spicy nose. Some substance. Medium body. Decent fruit. no great distinction but quite good.
Beaune, Vignes Franches, Domaine du Château de Chorey. From 2012Medium-full colour. Not much on the nose. Fresh, ripe and stylish on the palate. Medium to medium-full body. Good grip. Positive at the end. Good plus.
Volnay, Vendanges Selectionées, Domaine Michel Lafarge.From 2014Soft, but ripe and concentrated, with good tannins. Very good grip. This has no lack of volume and depth. Nor style. Good plus.
Volnay, Clos de la Bousse d'Or, Domaine de la Pousse d'Or. From 2013Medium to medium-full colour. Forward, fruity and a bit loose-knit on the nose. On the palate decent grip, and very nice ripe fruit. Medium body. Good grip. Good plus.
Volnay, Caillerets, Domaine Henri Boillot.From 2014Medium-full colour. Rich, full, concentrated nose. Very cassis. Lots of depth. High quality. Fullish body. Still youthful. Very good grip. Fine.
Volnay, Domaine Louis Boillot. Drink soonMedium-full colour. Rather attenuated and weedy on both the nose and the palate. Disappointing.
Volnay, Caillerets, Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils. From 2013Medium-full colour. Soft, fragrant, stylish but quite forward nose. Good grip. Quite intense. Classy fruit. Long. Fine
Volnay, Caillerets, Domaine de Montille. From 2012Medium colour. Not much depth or substance on the nose. Medium body. Rather non-descript.
Volnay, Caillerets, Clos des 60 Ouvrées, Domaine de la Pousse d'Or. From 2013Medium colour. Decent substance if a bit four-square on the nose. Good grip. Youthful. Good fruit and grip. Good.
Volnay, Caillerets, Domaine Nicolas Rossignol.From 2013Softer-centered than his Taillepieds but equally intense. Medium-full body. Less reserved. Quite round already. Lovely fruit. Very good style. Fine too.
Volnay, Carelle sous la Chapelle, Domaine Henri Boillot From 2013Medium to medium-full colour. Slightly reduced at first but good depth and balance. Medium to medium-full body. Positive, stylish and fragrant. Good grip. Very good fruit.
Volnay, Clos de la Cave des Ducs, Maison Leroux.From 2013Medium colour. Soft but ripe on the nose. balanced and fragrant. Medium to medium-full body. Intense. Harmonious. Classy and complex. Lovely.
Volnay, Champans, Domaine Marquis d'Angerville.From 2014A bigger and today more astringent wine than the Fremiets. But this is just on the attack. The follow through is elegant and ample. Long and fragrant. Very good indeed.
Volnay, Champans, Domaine des Comtes Lafon. From 2014Medium-full colour. Quite profound and substantial on the nose. Good depth and complexity and an attractive personality. Balanced. Even sturdy. Some tannin. Very good indeed.
Volnay, Clos du Château des Ducs, Domaine Lafarge.From 2012Medium colour. Some fragrance and interest on the nose. But not a great deal of character. Medium body. Balanced and fresh. Quite forward. Quite good plus.
Volnay, Chevret, Domaine Nicolas Rossignol. From 2012Medium to medium-full weight. Good balance. Charming fruit. An attractive wine if without the depth and flair of his Caillerets. Good plus.
Volnay, Chevret, Domaine Henri Boillot. From 2014Medium-full colour. Good depth and substance on the nose. Ripe and rich. Some tannin. Good grip. Still a bit closed. Medium-full body. Concentrated. Los of style. Complex and long on the palate. Fine.
Volnay, Clos des Chènes, Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils.From 2013Medium-full colour. Soft, round, slightly over-ripe, spicy nose. Medium body. Almost exotic. Certainly a little sweet. But no lack of grip. Finishes positively. Good.
Volnay, Clos des Chènes, Domaine Francois Buffet. Drink soonLight nose. Straightforward fruity nose. Light and rather too evolved
Volnay, Clos des Chênes, Domaine Michel Lafarge. From 2015Medium-full body. Ripe, intense, concentrated and very classy. By no means a blockbuster, even in 2007 terms. But very lovely fresh fruit and very long. Fine.
Volnay, Clos de Chènes, Domaine des Comtes Lafon. From 2013Medium colour. Ripe nose. Balanced. Soft. Decent style if no great weight. Quite fresh. Positive and charming. Good plus.
Volnay, Clos des Chênes, Domaine René Monnier.From 2012Medium colour. Soft, fruity, pleasant nose, if no real depth or distiction. Medium body. Not a lot of tannin. But decent balance. Quite good.
Volnay, Clos des Ducs, Domaine Marquis d'Angerville. From 2015Full bodied, rich and fat. This is very lovely. Excellent fruit and depth. Lovely comlex, multi-dimensional wine. Very fine.
Volnay, Fremiets, Domaine Marquis d'Angerville. From 2014Refined, fragrant, nose. Intense, backward, concentrated anf fullish for a 2007 on the palate. Lots of vigour. Surprisingly fine. This is normally eclipsed by the other Angerville Volnays.
Volnay, Fremiets; Domaine Comte Armand.From 2013Medium to medium-full colour. Ripe, fresh, quite substantial nose. Good depth and grip. Medium to medium-full body. Ample, balanced and positive. Still a bit adolescent. Very good.
Volnay, Fremiets, Domaine Henri Boillot. From 2013Medium to medium-full colour. A bit stiff and unforthcoming on the nose at first. Better as it developed. Good substance and balance. Medium to medium-full body. Quite concentrated. Good grip. Long. Very good plus.
Volnay, Fremiets, Domaine Faiveley. From 2011Medium to medium-full colour. Tarty, attenuated nose. This and cheap. Unstylish.
Volnay, Mitans, Domaine Lafarge. From 2011Medium to medium-full colour. Forward. Already a bit astringent. Loose-knit and undistinguished;
Volnay, Mitans, Domaine de Montille. From 2011Rather weak and neutral. Lacks grip. Already a bit astringent.
Volnay, Ronceret, Domaine Nicolas Rossignol. From 2012Very blackberry in flavour. Rich, almost exotic. Not quite the grip of Rossignol's other Volnays, though. I find this a little dry at the end. Will it resolve itself?
Volnay, Clos de la Rougeotte, Domaine Henri Boillot. From 2013Medium to medium-full colour. Quite a forward nose. Ripe and fragrant. No great weight but elegant and balanced. Really quite concentrated. Very good fruit.
Volnay, Santenots, Domaine Bichot. From 2012Medium-full colour. Soft, fragrant and fruity on the nose. Quite forward. Medium body. Decent balance but a little one-dimentional. Quite good.
Volnay, Santenots du Milieu, Domaine des Comtes Lafon. From 2016Good colour. Quite a bit more profound and vigorous than the Champans. Medium-full body. Vigorous and classy. Very good tannins and plenty of length and dimension. Fine.
Volnay, Santenots du Milieu, Domaine Leroy. From 2013Forward but a good ample, stylish attack. Then it tails off. Medium body. Ripe but no great concentration. Good plus.
Volnay, Santenots, Maison Roche de Bellene.From 2012Nicolas Potel's negocaint's business. Medium-colour. Smoky nose. Slightly astringent. Medium to medium-full body. Lacks style and dimension. Only fair.
Volnay, Taillepieds, Domaine de Montille. From 2014Better than their Mitans, but also alittle weak and short. Decent fruit. Quite fresh. Quite good plus.
Volnay, Taillepieds, Domaine Nicolas Rossignol.From 2014Medium-full body. Quite firm for the vintage. Minerally and nicely austere. Good grip. Very classy fruit. Fine.
Pommard, Premier Cru, Domaine Michel Gaunoux.From 2014Fullish body. Plump, ripe, very good grip. Rather more style here than in the past. Long on the palate. Very good plus.
Pommard, Clos des Epeneaux, Domaine Comte Armand.From 2015Medium-full colour. A good, full, meaty wine on the nose. Oaky too. Medium-full body. Some tannin. Classy fruit. Very good grip. Harmonious. Fine. Needs Time.
Pommard, Les Grands Epenots, Domaine Michel Gaunoux. From 2014Even more stylish and complete than their Premier Cru, if slightly less weight. Lovely balanced fruit. Long. Fine.
Pommard, Epenots, Maison Camille Giroud. From 2011Medium colour. High-toned nose. Both reduced and attenuated. Rather stewed and soupy. No.
Pommard, Epenots, Domaine Francois Parent.From 2014Medium to medium-full colour. Quite soft and ripe on the nose. Medium body. Ripe and smooth, balanced and attractive and easy to enjoy. Good grip. Well made. Balanced and very good.
Pommard, Fremiers, Domaine Louis Boillot.Drink soonMedium-full colour. High-toned nose. High volatile acidity. Thin and astringent on the palate. No.
Pommard, Jarollières, Domaine Jean-Marc Boillot. From 2012Medium-full colour. A bit sweaty on the nose. Medium weight. Somewhat attenuated and astringent. Lacks style.
Pommard, Jarollières, Domaine de la Pousse d'Or. From 2014Medium to medium-full colour. Fresh nose. Quite sturdy and substantial. Good weight and good grip. This has depth. A little adolescent at present but I think it's going to be fine.
Pommard, Pezerolles, Domaine Bouchard P§re et Fils. From 2013Medium to medium-full colour. Ripe - very ripe; almost sweet - on the nose. Decent substance if no real personality. Medium-full body. Slightly rigid at present. But good grip. Quite good plus.
Pommard, Pezerolles, Domaine A.F. Gros. From 2013Medium to medium-full colour. Some substance on the nose. But a bit sturdy, even slightly stewed. Good acidity. But a lack of style.
Pommard, Rugiens, Domaine Bichot. From 2014Medium to medium-full colour. Lots of new oak here on the nose. There is substance and fruit but it is a bit smothered. Medium-full body. Ample. Good grip. Good style. Very good plus.
Pommard, Rugiens, Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils. From 2014Medium-full colour. Closed-in nose. Ripe. Good depth and substance. Needs time. High-toned fruit on the palate. Lacks a little fat but decent length and a positive finish. Good.
Pommard, Rugiens, Domaine Faiveley. From 2015Medium-full colour. Round, ripe, harmonious nose. Fullish body. Very good class and intensity. This is admirable. Long and subtle. Needs time. Lovely.
Pommard, Rugiens, Domaine de Montille. From 2014Medium colour. Rich, closed-in, ripe nose. Good style here. Medium-full body. Ripe and balanced. Well made. Good grip. Long and positive at the end. Classy too. Fine.
COTE DE NUITS
Marsannay, Les Longerois, Domaine Bruno Clair. From 2012Medium colour. Not a lot of weight and energy. Indeed a little hollow. Only fair.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Domaine Gouges.From 2014Rather more weight and depth than some. Medium to medium-full body. Good grip. Plump and ample. Long and positive. Very good indeed for a village wine.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Domaine Méo-Camuzet. From 2013Soft, balanced, oaky, attractive nose. Lacks a little ripeness and richness on the palate. So not much charm. And the oak is a bit too excessive at the end. Quite good at best.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Clos des Argillières, Domaine Michèle et Patrice Rion. From 2013Medium to medium-full colour.Ample nose. Quite fresh and stylish. Medium body. Good acidity. A touch of oak. Good follow through. positive if without the greatest distinction. Good plus.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Clos de l'Arlot, Domaine de l'Arlot.From 2012Medium colour. Fresh, charming, fruity and stylish nose. Medium body. No undue stems. Not much tannin. Decent fruit. Somewhat one-dimensional but a pleasant drink. The finish is positive. Quite forward. Good.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Aux Boudots, Domaine Grivot.From 2014Medium-full body. Soft, round, aromatic, balanced, and stylish, but could have done with a little more concentration and grip. Very elegant at the end. Very good plus.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Aux Boudots, Domaine Leroy.From 2012Fragrant, but rather weak at the end. I prefer the Vignerondes. This is pretty but a little short. Disappointing.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Cailles, Domaine Robert Chevillon. From 2014Medium-full colour. Open , quite evolved, fruity nose. Somewhat loose-knit. Medium to medium-full body. good grip. Ample. Almost sweet. Good follow-through. Quite classy. Very good.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Chaignots, Domaine Gouges. From 2014Not the greatest of weight and energy. But ripe and balanced, stylish and intense. Long and very good plus.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Chaignots, Domaine Dr. Georges Mugneret-Gibourg. From 2014Medium-full colour. Somewhat closed but good depth and style here on the nose. Medium-full body. Good grip. balanced, energetic, and elegant. Finishes well. Very good indeed.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Clos des Corvées, Domaine Prieuré-Roch.From 2012Good colour. Soft, spicy, stemmy nose. Medium weight. Very ripe on the palate. A certain astringency, but not weak; Nor rustic. Decent balance and grip. Good.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Cras, Domaine Lamarche. From 2013Fullish colour. Odd nose. Somewhat malic. Better on the palate, but there is nevertheless a certain astringency. I'd like to see another bottle.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Cras, Domaine Comte Liger-Belair.From 2014Medium-full colour. Gentle, poised, delicately oaky nose. Very complex. Medium weight. Ample and rich. Most attractive if quite forward.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Damodes, Domaine Jean Chauvenet. From 2014Medium-full colour. Very ripe nose. A touch of oak. Ample. Austere as it developed. But fullish and concentrated. Good energy. Lots of depth. Fine
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Damodes, Domaine de la Vougeraie.From 2014Medium-full colour. Soft, ample oaky nose.Medium body. Ripe and enjoyable. balanced and stylish, if not very profound. Good plus.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Didiers, Domaine des Hospices de Nuits. From 2014Good colour. Nice and vigorous on the nose. Plenty of substance. Ripe, good tannins, very good grip. This has lovely fruit. Nothing weak about it. Very good indeed.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Clos des Forêts, Domaine de l'Arlot.From 2012Medium colour. Soft nose. Ripe and not too stemmy. Medium to medim-full weight. A little tannin. Decent fruit, but a touch of astringency on the follow through. But the finish is positive. Good.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Clos des Grandes Vignes, Domaine du Château de Puligny-Montrachet. From 2014Medium colour. Fresh, ripe; stylish, fragrant nose. Medium to medium-full body. Good grip and intensity. I would have liked a bit more weight and concentration. But this has plenty of depth and personality. Very good.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Clos Saint-Marc, Domaine Michèle et Patrice Rion. From 2014Medium colour. Light but fragrant nose. Medium body. Attractive fruity attack but then it tails off a bit. Fresh and stylish at the end though. And decent length. Good plus.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Clos de la Maréchale, Domaine J. F. Mugnier. From 2014Medium colour. Lovely fragrant nose. Unexpectedly elegant. Chambolle-ish too. Medium body. Very intense. More concentrated than it seems at first. Lovely fruit. Long and complex. Very good plus.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Murgers, Domaine Sylvain Cathiard. From 2014Medium-full colour. Fullish, rich, vigorous, intense and very classy on the nose. Finely tuned. Fullish body. Very concentrated. Very well balanced. Very good indeed..
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Murgers, Domaine Alain Hudelot-Noëllat. From 2014Medium to medium-full colour. Slightly reserved at first, but clean, classy, and balanced. Forward on the palate. Medium body. Attractive but lacks a little depth. Quite good plus.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Murgers, Domaine Méo-Camuzet.From 2015Medium-full colour. Soft, plump, gently oaky nose. No great weight but balanced and very seductive. Medium-full body. More vigour than it seemed at first. Complex and stylish and long on the finish. Fine.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Aux Perdrix, Domaine de Perdrix.From 2014Medium colour. Fresh nose, but not the backbone of the Huit Ouvrées. Medium to medium-full body. Ripe and stylish. Forward and fragrant and elegant. Nice balance. Good plus.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Aux Perdrix, Les Huit Ouvrées, Domaine de Perdrix. From 2016From vines planted in 1922. Good colout. Splendidly ripe, concentrated nose, with a touch of new oak. Fullish body. Good tannins. Very good grip. This is youthful and profound. Fine.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Perrières, Domaine Jean Chauvenet. From 2014Fullish colour. An odd nose. Not really together. Not much Pinot fruit. Ungainly on the palate. Medium-full body. Ripe. Good grip. A bit four-square. Improved in the glass. But good at best.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Clos des Porrets-Saint-Georges, Domaine Gouges. From 2015Medium-full colour. Ripe, rich, masculine, balanced and classy on the nose. Backward, but multi-dimensional. Full bodied. splendid fruit. Very long and very lovely.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Proces, Domaine Joseph Drouhin.From 2014Medium to medim-full body. Soft on the attack. Balanced and elegant, but it is more 2007 than Nuits-Saint-Georges. What is lacks is virility. Very good though.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Pruliers, Domaine Robert Chevillon. From 2014Medium-full colour. Just a touch sauvage on the nose at first. But fullish and fleshy. Medium-full body. Good grip. Very good fruit and energy. Lots of depth. Very good indeed.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Pruliers, Domaine Gouges.From2015Medium-full colour. Fullish but closed-in on the nose. Fresh. Fullish body. Good grip and tannins. Plenty of wine here. Rich and energetic. Very good indeed.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Pruliers, Domaine Grivot.From 2015Medium-full colour. Firm, rich, profound nose. Good grip. Lots of intensity. Lovely fruit. Fine.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Pruliers, Domaine Taupenot-Merme; From 2015Fullish colour. Closed-in nose. Firm, full bodied and profound. Rich, ample and oaky. Succulent fruit. Profound and balanced. Long and lovely. Fine plus.
Nuits-Saints-Georges, La Richemone, Domaine Perrot-Minot. From 2015Medium-full colour. Just a touch reduced at first. But Medium-full body. Ample, rich, concentrated and well-balanced. Lovely finish. Very good indeed, even fine.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Saint-Georges, Domaine Gouges.From 2016Full bodied, rich, complete and very concentrated. This is very lovely. Lots of depth and energy. Long. Very fine.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Saint-Georges, Domaine Thibaut Liger-Belair. From 2015Medium-full colour. Good rich, meaty, fullish nose. Class too. Full body. Some tannin. Quite structured. good grip and energy. Very good fruit. Very good indeed/fine.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Aux Thorey, Maison Leroux.From 2013Medium-full colour. Rich, ripe, soft, gently oaky nose. Stylish. Medium body. Quite forward. Round, elegant, balanced and quite complex. Good class. Very good.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Vaucrains, Domaine Jean Chauvenet. From 2015Medium-full colour. Rich, ripe, almost perfumed nose. Is it a bit sweet? Better on the palate. Fresh. Medium-full body. Balanced and a lot more classy than appeared at first. Long on the palate.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Vaucrains, Maison Camille Giroud. From 2015Medium-full colour. Closed)in; backward nose. But plenty of class, depth and fruit. This is very lovely. Fullish body. Very good grip. Ample, concentrated and very profound. Fine plus.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Vaucrains, Domaine Robert Chevillon. From 2013Medium-full colour. Not a great deal of weight and concentration on the nose. Medium weight. Ripe and fruity. Fresh and attractive. But a little loose-knit for what it is. Good plus at best.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Aux Vignerondes, Domaine Leroy.From 2013Soft but ripe, ample and seductive. Good freshness. Medium body. Quite oaky, but round and positive at the end. Long. Charming. Very good.
Vosne-Romanée, Premier Cru, Domaine Gros Frère et Soeur. From 2014Medium-full colour. Quite a burly, oaky wine on the nose. At first a bit four-square. But it improved in the glass. Good rich fruit and good grip. Medium-full body. Very good.
Vosne-Romanée, Aux Beaux Monts, Domaine Bertagna.From 2014Medium-full colour. A bit closed-in at first. But rich and balanced as it evolved. Medium-full body. Ripe Pinot fruit. Attractive and harmonious. Good depth. Very good.
Vosne-Romanée, Aux Beaux Monts, Domaine Grivot.From 2016Full body. Very rich and concentrated. Ripe and profound. Very fine tannins. A wine of great quality and distinction.
Vosne-Romanée, Aux Beaux Monts, Domaine Leroy.From 2015A bit reduced so a touch astringent. But ripe and rich enough underneath. And I think it has the elegance. Medium-full body. Good grip and tannic structure. Plenty of depth here. Fine.
Vosne-Romanée, Les Bossières, Domaine Grivot. From 2014Compared with many village wines this is a great success. Fullish, ample, rich and full of fruit. Very good grip. Long and positive; Very good.
Vosne-Romanée, Aux Brulées, Domaine Eugenie. From 2014Ripe, rich, some new oak. Good substance. A little tannin. Good concentration and depth, but the oakiness is a bit aggressive.
Vosne-Romanée, Aux Brulées, Domaine Grivot. From 2015Medium-full colour. A bit four-square on the nose. Fullish body. Very good grip. Still a bit austere. But underneath very promising concentrated fruit. Very good indeed.
Vosne-Romanée, Aux Brulées, Domaine Michel Gros. From 2014Medium-full colour. Rich, aromatic, even spicy nose. Fullish body. Good energy and depth. Plenty of richness. Lovely finish. Fine.
Vosne-Romanée, Aux Brulées, Domaine Leroy. From 2015Quite full body for a 2007. Some tannin. Less evolved than most. Better grip. Still currently a bit austere. But good depth and rich at the end. Very good indeed.
Vosne-Romanée, Aux Brulées, Domaine Méo-Camuzet. From 2014Medium-full colour. A bit austere at first on the nose. Better on the palate. Some tannin. Good grip. Plenty of fruit. Lacks a bit of charm and succulence perhaps.
Vosne-Romanée, Aux Brulées, Domaine Gérard Mugneret. From 2014Medium-full colour. Good fruit and personality here. Medium-full body. Ripe. Balanced. Good energy and class. Long and vigorous.Very good plus.
Vosne-Romanée, Les Chaumes, Domaine Lamarche.From 2014Medium-full colour. fresh ripe nose. Medium-full body. Attractive fruit, balanced, quite classy. Good depth. Very good.
Vosne-Romanée, Les Chaumes, Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair. From 2014Medium-full colout. Open, juicy, elegant, very poised nose. Very good accessible fruit. Harmonious and subtle if by no means a blockbuster. Very good indeed.
Vosne-Romanée, La Croix Rameau, Domaine Lamarche.From 2014Medium-full colour. Soft, ripe, quite forward nose. Medium body. Juicy and succulent. Almost sweet. An attractive wine. If a little slight. Good.
Vosne-Romanée, Cros Parantoux, Domaine Emmanuel Rouge. From 2015Medium-full colout. Rich, fresh, quite concentrated nose. Lots of fruit and style. Medium-full body. Oaky and succulent. Profound and classy. Long and classic. Very lovely.
Vosne-Romanée, Aux Malconsorts, Domaine du Clos Frantin, Albert Bichot. From 2015Medium-full colour. Good vigorous nose. Medium-full body. Good concentration. Oaky. Good grip and tannins. Above all lots of elegant Pinot fruit. Long on the palate. Fine plus.
Vosne-Romanée, Aux Malconsorts, Domaine Lamarche.From 2015Medium-full colour. Ripe, attractive nose. This is fine. Medium-full body. Rich. Some concentration. Positive and complex. High class. Lovely finish.
Vosne-Romanée, Les Petits Monts, Domaine Drouhin. From 2014Medium-full colour. A little closed-in at first. As it evolved it became a quite firm, fullish wine with good fruit and grip. Positive on the follow-through. Good class. Very good plus.
Vosne-Romanée, Les Petits Monts, Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair. From 2014Medium-full colour. Good depth on the nose. Easy to enjoy. Medium-full body. Gently oaky. Balanced. Finishes well. Very good.
Vosne-Romanée, Clos de Réas, Domaine Michel Gros. From 2014Medium-full colour. Some depth and class here on the nose, but it is less developed than some. Medium-full body. Some tannin. Good grip. Lovely fruit underneath and very well put together. Very good indeed.
Vosne-Romanée, Aux Reignots, Domaine Cathiard. From 2014Medium-full colour. Ample, oaky nose. Medium-full body. Ripe. Succulent. Complex. Long on the palate. Very lovely fruit and an equally lovely finish. Fine.
Vosne-Romanée, Aux Reignots, Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair.From 2014Medium-full colour. Rich, succulent nose. Some oak. Medium-full body. Fresh. Fragrant. Balanced and stylish. Finishes well. Very good indeed.
Vosne-Romanée, Les Suchote, Domaine de l'Arlot. From 2014Medium-full colour. The wine seems quite evolved on the nose. Soft, forward and pretty. Good acidity. Quite intense. And, of course the taste of the stems. Good plus
Vosne-Romanée, Les Suchots. Maison Bernstein. From 2014Medium-full colour. Odd spices and flavours on the nose. Medium to medium-full body. Decent energy and grip. Ripe fruit. Good length. But I find it lacks style.
Vosne-Roamnée, Les Suchots, Domaine Grivot.From 2015Medium-full colour. Expansive nose with a touch of oak. Very stylish ripe fruit. Medium-full body. good grip. Elegant, intense and energetic. Long on the palate. Fine plus.
Vosne-Romanée, Les Suchots, Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair.From 2014Medium-full colour. Quite a delicate, if intense nose. Medium-full body. Very elegant, ample, harmonious fruit. Very good length. Fine.
Vosne-Romanée, Les Suchots, Domaine Gérard Mugneret. From 2015Medium-full body. Quite exotically perfumed on the nose. Some oak. Ripe and succulent on the palate. Lush. Medium-full body. Good grip. Very seductive. Very long and complex. Fine plus.
Vougeots, Les Petits Vougeots, DomaineAlain Hudelot-Noëllat. From 2014Evolved colour. Rather a weak nose. Ripe but lacking energy and not as sophisticated as it should be. A touch of new oak. Medium body. Quite fresh on the palate. But it lacks a bit of dimension. Quite good plus.
Chambolle-Musigny, Domaine J.F. Mugnier.From 2014Typically elegant, fragrant, composed, Chambolle fruit here. Medium to medium-full body. Very fine energy. This is very lovely for a village wine. Real elegance and a vert impressive complex finish.
Chambolle-Musigny, Domaine Georges Roumier. From 2014Very ripe and rich on the nose. Crammed with fruit. Medium-full body. Lots of energy here. Not a bit weak; Long and vigorous and very good indeed, especially for a village wine.
Chambolle-Musigny, Les Amoureuses, Domaine Francois Bertheau. From 2015Medium-full colour. Quite a lot of new oak on the nose, over a wine which is by no means a blockbuster. Will this dominate? Otherwise, balanced, fruity and elegant enough. Fine.
Chambolle-Musigny, Les Amoureuses, Domaine Drouhin. From 2015Medium-full colour. A little tight on the nose at first. But better on the palate. Ample, balanced, very stylish fruit. Evolved to become rich and ample. Fine.
Chambolle-Musigny, Les Amoureuses, Domaine Robert Groffier. From 2015Medium-full colour. rich, closed-in nose. Backward. Quite a substantial wine on the palate. Ample, balanced, succulent attack. On the follow-through good energy but not quite the class for better than fine.
Chambolle-Musigny, Les Amoureuses, Domaine J.F. Mugnier. From 2015Medium-full colour. Soft, aromatic, elegant, subtle nose. Very lovely. Medium-full body. Very rich, ripe, quite delicious fruit. Very ample. Excellent balancing acidity. Intense, complex and very classy. Brilliant.
Chambolle-Musigny, Les Amoureuses, Domaine Georges Roumier. From 2015Medium-full colour. A touch of new oak on the nose. Ripe, subtle nose. Lots of class. Medium-full body. Cool. Stylish. Lots of energy. A lovely, fresh, balanced wine. Very long. Very fine.
Chambolle-Musigny, Les Amoureuses, Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé. From 2014Medium-full colour. A bit tight on the nose at first, but good quality underneath. Just a suggestion of attenuation however. Medium-full body. Good attack, but then it tails off a bit. It's no more elegant or profound than very good plus.
Chambolle-Musigny, Les Charmes, Domaine Ghislaine Barthod. From 2014Medium-full colour. Good depth on the nose. More backward than most. Medium-full body. Rich, concentrated and substantial on the palate. lots of depth and fine classy fruit. Fine quality.
Chambolle-Musigny, Les Charmes, Domaine Francois Bertheau. From 2014Medium-full colour. Good weight on the nose. Concentrated and with no lack of new oak. Medium-full body. Ample, rich, and profound. Long. Fine quality.
Chambolle-Musigny, Les Charmes, Domaine Leroy. From 2014Medium weight. Fragrant and elegant. Soft. Good acidity but no hard edges. Long and positive. Very good indeed.
Chambolle-Musigny, Les Charmes, Domaine Ponsot. From 2014Medium body. Warm, soft but classy and intense on the nose. Very lovely ripe fruit. Very good terroir definition. Long. Very good indeed.
Chambolle-Musigny, Les Charmes, Domaine Michèle et Patrice Rion.From 2014Medium-full colour. lovely soft Chambolle fruit on the nose. Medium-full body. Fresh and ripe and stylish. Complex, long and classy. Very good indeed.
Chambolle-Musigny, Les Chatelots, Domaine Ghislaine Barthod.From 2014Medium colour. Fresh, quite firm nose. Medium-full body. Good fruit and grip. An attractive wine.
Chambolle-Musigny, La Combe d'Orveaux, Domaine Perrot-Minot. From 2015Medium-full colour. A little tight on the nose at the start. But very good depth underneath. Fullish body. Backward. Very good grip. Fresh and positive. Lovely fruit. Long. Impressive.
Chambolle-Musigny, La Combe d'Orveaux, Domaine Taupenot-Merme. From 2014Medium-full colour. Fullish, quite firm nose. Still youthful. Fullish body. Very good grip. Could have done with a bit more elegance but very good.
Chambolle-Musigny, Les Cras, Domaine Ghislaine Barthod.From 2015Medium-full colour. Ripe nose with a touch of caramel. Medium-full body. Good fresh, ripe attack. Good grip. Plenty of depth. Still a bit closed. Fine.
Chambolle-Musigny, Les Cras, Domaine Georges Roumier. From 2015Rich, full, energetic nose. Fullish. Concentrated. Very good grip. Noble and distinguished. Very long and very lovely. Fine plus.
Chambolle-Musigny, Les Fuées, Domaine Ghislaine Barthod. From 2015Medium-full colour. Round, ripe, almost sweet, fruity nose. Very luscious. Medium-full body. Rich, ripe and abundant on the palate. Plenty of depth. Very good indeed.
Chambolle-Musigny, Les Fuées, Domaine J.F. Mugnier. From 2015Medium-full colour. Firm, backward nose. Very good depth here. Medium-full body. Some tannin. Still youthful. Lots of energy. Above everything this has very lovely, complex fruit. Very long on the palate. Fine plus.
Chambolle-Musigny, Les Groseilles, Domaine Digioia-Royer. From 2014Medium-full colour. Plump and fruity, ample and balanced. Medium-full weight. Good grip. Good energy. Long. Very good indeed.
Chambolle-Musigny, Les Gruenchers, Domaine Digioia-Royer. From 2014Medium-full colour. Ripe nose. Good depth. Cool, classy and well-balanced. Very good fruit. A slight touch of volatile acidity, but long and complex and very good plus.
Chambolle-Musigny, Les Hauts-Doix, Domaine Robert Groffier. From 2014Medium to medium-full colour. A little rustic on the nose. Better on the palate. Good freshness. Quite fruity. Quite good plus.
Chambolle-Musigny, Les Noirots, Domaine Arlaud. From 2014Medium colour. Fresh, plump, attractive nose. Medium to medium-full body. Good succulent fruit. Good but not great finesse. Good plus.
Chambolle-Musigny, Les Sentiers, Domaine Robert Groffier. From 2014Medium to medium-full colour. A bit attenuated on the nose, but the palate is better. The attack is fresh, balanced and fruity. Medium weight. Quite good plus.
Morey-Saint-Denis, Domaine Dujac. From 2013Soft, round, very ripe nose. But forward and quite delicate. Lovely fruit on the attack, but then it tails off a bit. Elegant though. Good quality.
Morey-Saint-Denis, Premier Cru, Domaine Dujac. From 2014Medium colour. There is depth as well as the usual taste of the stems on the nose, but its a bit adolescent at present. Medium weight. Good grip. Ripe and intense. Very good.
Morey-Saint-Denis, Premier Cru, Cuvée du Pâpe Jean-Paul II. From 2014Good colour. Quite a firm nose. But ripe and generous. Good energy and very good tannins. Long and satisfying. Very good plus.
Morey-Saint-Denis, Clos de la Bussière, Domaine Georges Roumier. From 2014Medium-full colour. Fresh nose. Stylish but still a bit hidden. Medium-full body. Good grip. Fruity and with good dimension. Balanced. Good plus.
Morey-Saint-Denis, Les Chaffots, Domaine Hubert Lignier. From 2014Medium-full colour. A little rustic on the nose. Medium weight. Decent fruit, but lacks a bit of style.
Morey-Saint-Denis, La Riotte, Domaine Taupenot-Merme. From 2014Medium-full colour. ripe, forward nose. Medium weight. Fresh and fruity, but not a lot on the follow-through. Quite good plus.
Moret-Saint-Denis, Les Ruchots, Domaine Arlaud. From 2014Medium-full colour. Light, fruity but stylish nose. Not a great deal to it on the palate but quite good plus.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Domaine Jean et Jean-Louis Trapet.From 2014Medium body. But fresh, balanced, stylish and charming. No great structure but plenty of dimension. Very good.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Belair, Domaine Taupenot-Merme. From 2015Medium-full colour. Ripe nose. Good substance but a little four-square. fullsh body. Ripe. balanced and more elegant than seemed at first. Good class. Very good indeed.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Cazetiers, Domaine Bruno Clair. From 2015Slightly cool as always. But fullish body, rich, balanced and classy. Lots of depth. Fine at the end.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Cazetiers, Maison Camille Giroud.From 2015Medium-full colour. The nose is a bit closed at first. Medium-full body. Ample and fruity. Fresh and well-mannered. Plenty of vigour. Very good indeed.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Cazetiers, Domaine Faiveley. From 2016Full colour. Rich, profound, high-quality fruit on the nose. Full body. Meaty. Very good grip and very good tannins. Quite firm for a 2007. Fine plus.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Cazetiers, Domaine Serafin. From 2015Medium-full colour. Lovely nose. Soft, rich, ripe and gently oaky. Fullish body. Ripe. Succulent. Very good grip. Lots of style. Very fresh. Lovely long, seductive finish. Fine plus.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Champeaux, Domaine Denis Mortet. From 2015Fullish colour. Fullish nose. Plenty of new oak. Ripe and stylish. Medium-full body. Good grip and intensity. Ripe, complex, long and elegant. Lovely.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Cherbaudes, Domaine Louis Boillot.From 2013Medium-full colour. High-toned nose. A bit short and attenuated on the palate. Not much here. Disappointing.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Cherbaudes, Domaine Fourrier. From 2015Fullish colour. Fullish nose. Ample, ripe, vigorous and quite substantial on the palate. Lots of depth here. Currently a bit adolescent but fine quality.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Cherbaudes. Domaine Rossignol-Trapet.From 2013Medium-full colour. Somewhat ungainly on the nose. Sweaty, animal aromas. Medium to medium-full body. Unexciting.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Le Closeau, Domaine Drouhin-Laroze.From 2015Medium-full colour. Soft, agreable, gently oaky nose. Good style. A fullish, meaty wine. Good grip. Plenty of energy. At the moment a bit adolescent. But long and very good plus.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Combottes, Domaine Arlaud. From 2014Medium-full colout. Rich, ample; sweet and seductive nose. Medium-full body. Ripe, round, succulent and balanced. Full of fruit. Elegant too.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Combottes, Domaine Dujac.From 2015Medium to medium-full colour. Soft, stylish nose, A touch of the stems. Medium-full body. Ripe, Fresh, intense, balanced and elegant. This is very lovely.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Combottes, Domaine Leroy. From 2015Ripe and positive on the nose, wth delicious summer pudding fruit. Fat and ample, with a very good follow through. This is clearly the best of the Leroy first growths.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Combottes, Domaine Hubert Lignier. From 2014Full colour. Quite an extracted, oaky nose. Fullish body. Very rich if a touch ungainly. But the finish is positive.
Gevrey-Chamberin, Les Combottes, Domaine Rossignol-Trapet. From 2014Medium-full colour. Strange, toffee-flavoured nose. Medium-full body. Good grip. A little raw and unresolved at first on the attack. But the finish is better. good plus.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Corbeaux, Domaine Denis Bachelet. From 2016Medium-full colour. Soft, gently oaky nose. Medium-full body. Good grip and concentration. Fresh, elegant and complex. Lovely follow through. Fine.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Corbeaux, Domaine Serafin. From 2014Medium-full colour. Not a lot on the nose at first, but what there was, is stylish and balanced. Medium to medium-full body. Spicy, earthy, gently oaky flavours. Good grip. Very good, but lacks a bit of power.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Le Craipillot, Domaine Humbert Frères. From 2016Fullish colour. Decent substance. Fresh. Good depth and ripeness on the nose. Medium-full body. Fragrant, ripe and harmonious. Stylish and long. This is fine.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Estournelles-Saint-Jacques, Domaine Humbert Frères From 2015Full colour. Good class and depth here. Still youthful. Full bodied. Voluptuous, Ample, rich and full of fruit. Very good grip. A very seductive example. Long and vigorous. Fine.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Le Fonteny, Domaine Serafin. From 2015Fullish colour. Fresh, elegant, quite substantial nose. Similar palate. Lots of ripe, rich fruit. Some tannin. This will develop. The finish is long. Fine.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Clos de Fonteny, Domaine Bruno Clair. From 2014Fullish colour. Ripe and gently oaky on the nose. Medium to medium-full body. Decent attack, but a bit unforthcoming. At least good.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Goulots, Domaine Fourrier. From 2014Medium-full colour. Soft, ripe, ample nose. Good style. Some development. Medium to medium-full body. Balanced. Stylish. Good fruit. positive at the end.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Lavaux-Saint-Jacques, Domaine du Clos Frantin, Albert Bichot. From 2014Medium-full colour. A bit closed on the nose. But no lack of style. Fullish on the palate. Nice and fresh. Good attack. Slightly less strength on the follow-through but very good plus.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Lavaux-Saint-Jacques, Maison Chanson. From 2014Medium to medium-full colour. Soft, ample, crème caramel nose. Medium-full body. Balanced and stylish. A little rigid on the follow-through. But a very good wine here. Long on the palate.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Lavaux-Saint-Jacques, Domaine Drouhin Laroze.From 2014Medium-full colour. Not a great deal on the nose. Medium to medium-full body. Clean but dull, lacking a bit of freshness. Reasonable follow-through. But nothing special.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Lavaux-Saint-Jacques, Domaine Humbert Frères.From 2015Fullish colour. Ample, soft oaky nose. Good ripe fruit. This is fullish, fresh, round and very well balanced. Good vigorous fruit. Lots of depth. Classy too. Fine.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Lavaux-Saint-Jacques, Domaine Maume. From 2013Medium-full colour. Rather crude, vegetal nose. And quite over-ripe vegetal at that. Similar on the palate. Barely drinkable.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Lavaux-Saint-Jacques, Domaine Denis Mortet. From 2015Medium-full colour. Youthful, balanced, stylish nose. Medium-full body. Ripe. Good intensity. Harmonious and vigorous. Fine.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Lavaux-Saint-Jacques, Domaine Armand Rousseau. From 2015Medium-full volour. Firm, full, vigorous, classy nose. Youthful but lovely fruit and balance. Full body. Ample. Rich. Very good grip. Lots of depth here. Very long. Lovely.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Le Petite Chapelle, Domaine Humbert Frères. From 2014Fullish colour. Fresh, stylish, substantial nose. lovely ripe fruit on the palate. Good grip and plenty of dimension. Fine.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Le Poissenot, Domaine Humbert Frères. From 2015Fullish colour. Ripe, quite chunky nose. Needs time. Medium-full body. Ripe and fruity. Good grip. Good tannins. Not the dimension of fine but very good.
Gevery-Chambertin, Clos Saint-Jacques, Domaine Bruno Clair. From 2016Fine colour. Full body, tannic and vigorous. Good oaky base. Splendid depth and a very lovely abundant finish. Very fine.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Clos-Saint-Jacques, Domaine Sylvie Esmonin. From 2015Medium-full colour. Rich, full, concentrated and oaky on the nose. Still youthful. Medium-full body. Elegant, balanced, classy and cool on the palate. Very good tannins. lovely finish. Fine plus.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Clos-Saint-Jacques, Domaine Fourrier. From 2016Fullish colour. Ample nose. Plenty of distinction. On the palate the complete wine. Lots of energy. Full bodied. Rich. gently oaky. Very lovely profound fruit. Fine plus.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Clos-Saint-Jacques, Domaine Armand Rousseau. From 2015This is a great deal better than his Ruchottes, but it is really quite oaky. Some volume. Rich and ripe, quite concentrated. And well-balanced. Fine. Against the Clos-Saint-Jacques above I gave it the same score. But the group as a whole voted it the best of the four. And it usually is the best.
GRANDS CRUS
Corton, Domaine Bonneau du Martray. From 2015Medium to medium-full colour. Fresh nose. Good weight and ripeness. An attractive bottle with a touch of spice. Good grip. Persistent and classy at the end. Fine.
Corton, Domaine Follin-Arbelet.From 2015Medium-full colour. Still youthful. Rich, spicy nose. Some tannin. Medium-full body. Good grip. This has plenty of future. Ripe and complex. Needs time. Fine.
Le Corton, Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils. From 2013Medium colour. Not much nose. It seems a bit lightweight. Medium body. Ripe and balanced. No great depth, but an attractive, harmonious wine. Positive at the end. Very good.
Corton, Bressandes, Domaine Chandon de Briailles. From 2013Medium colour. I expected more after the Ile. Not a lot on the nose. And though not lacking fruit, nor an attractive and balanced follow through, it lacks a bit on the attack.
Corton, Bressandes, Domaine du Château de Chorey. From 2014Medium-full colour. Ripe and really quite concentrated on the nose. Lovely fruit. This is intense and very classy. Fullish body. Very good tannins. Excellent grip. Still closed. Fine quality.
Corton, Bressandes, Domaine Follin-Arbelet. From 2015Medium-full colour. Soft, elegant, fresh, gently oaky nose. Delicious ripe fruit. Medium-full body. Good energy. Good tannins and grip. Lots of concentrated fruit well supported by the oak. Fine
Corton, Bressandes, Domaine de la Pousse d'Or. From 2015Medium-full colour. Fresh, ripe, stylish and balanced on the nose. Very good fruit. Medium-full body. Rich, intense and very good grip. Very elegant and with a lovely follow-through. Just gently oaky. Lots of class. Fine plus.
Corton, Bressandes, Domaine Comte Senard. From 2015Fullish, quite firm nose. Very good depth and grip. Fullish, good tannins.This has more backbone, vigour and intensity than most. Lots of future. Very classy. Very fine.
Corton, Bressandes, Domaine Tollot-Beaut. From 2013Medium colour. Slightly reduced at first on the nose. Medium weight. Decent fruit. The reduction, which didn't seem to move, made this wine a little dry at the end. Decent fruit and acidity otherwise.
Corton, En Charlemagne, Domaine Comte Senard. From 2013Good colour. Softer on the nose than the Clos de Meix. Good fruit but less vigour. Pleasant and fresh. Positive. But very good plus rather than fine.
Corton, Clos des Cortons Faiveley, Domaine Faiveley. From 2014Medium colour. Rich, gentle, oaky nose. Medium to medium-full body. Balanced, ripe and harmonious. Quite intense at the end. Very good indeed.
Corton, Clos de la Maréchale, Domaine Bichot. From 2015Medium-full colour. Soft, elegant, ripe nose. Quite forward. Medium-full body. Good tannins. Good grip. Stylish and quite intense. balanced. Good energy. Very good indeed.
Corton, Clos des Meix, Domaine Comte Senard. From 2015Good colour. Very good succulent fruit. No lack of depth or backbone here. Good grip. Ripe and enticing. Much more to it than most 2007s. Good energy and intensity. Fine plus.
Corton, Paulands, Domaine Comte Senard. From 2014Good colour. Rich nose. Good depth; Quite muscular. Good acidity and backbone. But not the class of the Clos de Meix, let alone the distinction of the Bressandes.
Corton, Pougets, Domaine Louis Jadot. From 2014Medium colour. Ample nose. But quite soft and forward. Medium weight. Well-balanced and stylish. Good fruit. Not the depth of some but good plus.
Corton, Renardes, Domaine Michel Gaunoux. From 2016Fullish body. Concentrated. Lots of depth. Lovely balance. Absolutely no weakness here. Very lovely finish. Very fine.
Corton, Renardes, Domaine Leroy. From 2015Fresh nose. Attractive fruit. Medium-full body. Ripe, quite oaky and with good acidity. Good length. Not sauvage. Fine plus.
Corton, Renardes, Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair. From 2014Medium to medium-full colour. Caramel and oak on the nose. Somewhat ungainly and unstylish, but adolescent at first. Balanced and vigorous on the follow-through. But it lacks a bit of breed. Merely good.
Corton, Rognets, Domaine Méo-Camuzet. From 2014Medium-full body. Rich, quite oaky nose. A touch astringent on the palate. Lacks freshness. Unexciting.
Corton, Clos du Roi, Maison Camille Giroud. From 2014Medium-full colour. Rich, backward, concentrated, classy nose. Some oak. Medium-full body. Fat and voluptuous. Good grip. Quite forward though.
Corton, Clos du Roi, Domaine de Montille. From 2015Medium-full colour. Evidence of vinification with the stems. Medium body. Very luscious, almost sweet fruit. Balalanced and stylish. Fine.
Corton, Clos du Roi, Domaine de la Pousse d'Or.From 2015Medium-full colour. Closed-in at first on the nose. Slightly inflexible. Rather hard. Better on the palate. Fullish body. Good grip of acidity. Ample rich fruit if slightly austere at present. Fine.
Corton, Clos du Roi, Domaine Comte Senard.From 2015Medium-full colour.Lots of class here. Quite full body. Firm. Impressively profound fruit. Very good tannins. Just a touch of oak. Long, complex and very lovely.
Corton, Clos du Roi, Domaine de la Vougeraie. From 2012Medium-full colour. Rather hard and tight on the nose. But good fruit and balance underneath. But as it evolved it became very vegatal. A bad bottle?
Clos de Vougeot, Domaine du Clos Frantin, Albert Bichot. From 2013Medium-full colour. Ample nose, but a touch of reduction. This made it rather astringent on the palate. Medium-full body. I'd like to see this again.
Clos de Vougeot, Domaine Drouhin.From 2014Medium-full colour. Quite a fresh nose, but a little four-square. Medium to medium-full body. Somewhat lumpy on the palate. Lacks grace.
Clos de Vougeot, Domaine Eugenie. From 2015There were originally two cuvées. One de-stemmed, the other from whole clusters. Blended together later. Round, rich, fat and spicy. Very good grip. Good structure and intensity. Less volume and quite different from the Grands Echézeaux.
Clos de Vougeot, Domaine Grivot.From 2016Fullish body. Good depth. Very good style. Lovely fruit. Some tannin to resolve. Lots of class and energy and a very lovely finish. Very fine.
Clos de Vougeot, Domaine Anne Gros. From 2015Medium-full colour. Soft, sweet and succulent on the nose and the palate. Classy. Medium-full body. fresh and balanced. This is concentrated, rich and very attractive. Fine plus.
Clos de Vougeot, Domaine Michel Gros. From 2016Medium-full colour. A good, meaty wine on the nose, but a little rigid at first on the palate. Fullish body. Ample as it evolved. Good grip. fresh and classy at the end. Fine.
Clos de Vougeot, Domaine Gros Frère et Soeur. From 2013Medium-full colour. Somewhat lumpy on the nose. Medium to medium-full body. Marked acidity. Unbalanced. Lacks charm.
Clod de Vougeot, Domaine Alain Hudelot-Noëllat. From 2014Medium colour. fresh, youthful, fragrant nose. There is a touch of reduction here. But underneath the wine is medium-full bodied and meaty, with good fruit. Very good.
Clod de Vougeot, Domaine Louis Jadot. From 2014Medium-full colour. rather evolved nose with a touch of reduction. Medium-full body. Decent fruit and grip. But slightly rigid at present. But good stuff.
Clos de Vougeot, Domaine Lamarche.From 2014Medium-full colour. Ample, ripe, cool and vigorous on the nose. Very good fruit here. Rich. Fullish body. Balanced. Vigorous. Positive. Very good plus.
Clos de Vougeot, Domaine Leroy. From 2016Lots of depth and style on the nose. Rich, profound and harmonious. This is a serious Clos de Vougeot. Fullish body. Very good grip. Lots of energy and a very lovely finish. Very fine.
Clos de Vougeot, Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair. From 2016Medium-full colour. Good depth and concentration here on the nose. Balanced and intense. Fresh and vigorous. Complex and classy. Lovely finish. Fine plus.
Clos de Vougeot, Domaine Loichet. From 2014Medium-full colour. Plump nose. Good grip. Medium to medium-full body. Good acidity. The follow-through is slightly raw. And I don't get a great deal of class here. Quite good plus.
Clos de Vougeot, Domaine Méo-Camuzet. From 2014Medium weight. Ripe and pretty. Some oak. Quite sweet. But there is a lack of grip: nothing to hold the wine together or add on the follow through.
Clos de Vougeot, Domaine Denis Mortet.From 2015Fullish colour. Rich, oaky, plump, attractive nose. Fullish body. Gently oaky on the palate. Fresh. Succulent. Balanced, classy and positive. Very good indeed.
Clos de Vougeot, Maison Roche de Bellene. From 2015Fullish colour. Vigorous nose. Good fruit. Good class. Good depth. Fullish body. Ripe and ample. Good grip. Not as classy as it evolved as I thought at first. But good stuff nevertheless.
Clos de Vougeot, Château de la Tour. From 2016Good colour. A meaty wine. But styish, concentrated, ripe and succulent. Very good grip and a very good follow through. Fine plus.
Clos de Vougeot, Château de la Tour, Vieilles Vignes. From 2017Full body. Ripe, very concetrated, fat and rich. Profound and classy. Excellent grip. Very lovely.
Clos de Vougeot, Domaine de la Vougeraie. From 2014Medium-full colour. Fragrant nose. Plump, relaxed fruit. Quite classy. Some evolution. But ripe and intense. Good energy. Long. Very good indeed.
Echézeaux, Domaine Daniel Bocquenet. From 2016Good colour. Soft, supple nose. But not a bit weak. Concentrated and stylish. Rich and succulent. Clean and crisp. Medium-full body. Good oaky support. Very good grip. Lovely. Fine plus.
Echézeaux, Domaine Eugenie. From 2015Medium-full colour. Fresh, stylish, quite oaky nose. Soft and harmonious. Bu no means a blockbuster but plenty of charm. Very good.
Echézeaux, Domaine du Clos Frantin, Albert Bichot. From 2015Medium-full colour. Plump, gently oaky nose. Medium-full body. Quite firm. Good grip. Very good, intense fruit. Long on the palate. Plenty of dimension. Fine plus.
Echézeaux, Domaine Grivot. From 2015Medium to medium-full weight. This is a more mineral wine than their Clos Vougeot. Attractive, lush but very pure nose. Lovely fruit. Harmonious and intense and classy. Fine.
Echézeaux, Domaine Anne Gros. From 2014Medium colour. Sweet, fragrant nose. Balanced, elegant and intense. Medium body. Ripe, fresh and succulent. By no means a blockbuster. Long and very charming. Perhaps not serious but very good indeed.
Echézeaux, Domaine A.F. Gros. From 2014Medium-full colour. Good stylish, quite forward fruit on the nose. Reasonably fresh. Good balance and quite elegant. Very good.
Echézeaux, Domaine Gros Frère et Soeur. From 2015Medium-full colour. Ample nose, ripe and spicy. Medium-full body. good grip. Not too sweet and all the better as a result. Long. Very good plus.
Echézeaux, Domaine Lamarche. From 2015Medium-full colour. Soft, ripe, fruity nose. Medium-full body. Good grip. Lovely succulent, very well-balanced, ripe fruit. A real cornucopia. Very seductive. Fine.
Echézeaux, Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair.From 2015Medium-full colour. Good classy fruit on the nose. Medium-full body. Ripe on the attack. Slightly closed in. A good ample, intense, well balanced example. Very good indeed.
Echézeaux, Domaine Dr; Georges Mugneret-Gibourg.From 2015Medium-full colour. Fragrant, soft, accessible nose. Medium-full body. Lovely pure fruit. Very elegant and composed. Fine.
Echézeaux, Domaine Gérard Mugneret. From 2015Medium-full colour. fresh, youthful nose. Ample, balanced and stylish. Medium-full body. Long and complex. Lovely fruit. Lots of dimension. Very fine.
Echézeaux, Domaine Jacques Prieur. From 2013Medium-full colour. Soft, gentle, forward, slightly spicy. Decent freshness but nothing very exciting.
Echézeaux, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. From 2015Good colour. Ample, round, ripe nose. Gingerbread touches. Medium-full body. Good vigour and backbone. Good depth. Harmonious, long, stylsh and complex. Fine.
Echézeaux, Domaine Emmanuel Rouget. From 2015Medium-full colour. Ample, succulent, oaky nose. Fullish body. Oaky on the palate. Balanced and very classy. Splendid long finish. This is very lovely. Very fine.
Echézeaux, Domaine Cecile Tremblay. From 2014Medium-full colour. I hate to say it, but there is a feminine touch here (and I wrote this before I knew the wine's provenance). Medium-full body. Delicate and intense. Very pure fruit. Stylish and persistent. Very good indeed.
Grands-Echézeaux, Domaine du Clos Frantin, Albert Bichot.From 2015Medium-full colour. Ample, rich, succulent, oaky nose. Medium-full body. Cool, stylish fruit. Quite concentrated. Good positive, energetic follow-through. Very fine.
Grands-Echézeaux, Domaine Drouhin. From 2014Medium-full colour. Some evolution. Soft, fruity nose. Has charm if not a great deal of energy. Medium to medium-full weight. ripe and charming. But no more than very good.
Grands-Echézeaux, Domaine Eugenie. From 2016Medium-full colour. Plummy nose. Ample fruit. Succulent, full bodied, fat and ripe. Very good grip. Distinctly better than the Echézeaux. But again the oak is a bit too much. (100 percent for the grands crus).
Grands-Echézeaux, Domaine Lamarche. From 2015Medium-full colour. firm, fresh, succulent nose. Medium-full body. Good attack. Very good fruit. Lush and ripe but with very good grip. Long. Fine.
Grands-Echézeaux, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. From 2014Medium colour. Very soft nose. Less grip than the Echézeaux it seems. Medium body. Good ripe fruit, but a touch of astringency on the attack. Better on the follow through; ample and quite fat. But not as impressive for what it is as the Echézeaux.
La Grande Rue, Domaine Lamarche.From 2016Medium-full colour. Oaky nose with a hint of caramel. Medium-full body. Good grip. Plenty of energy. Lots of dimension. A lot of class too. Lush, ripe fruit. Very fine.
Romanée-Saint-Vivant, Domaine de l'Arlot. From 2015Medium-full colour. Closed-in on the nose. Some tannic dryness plus the stems. No lack of richness and dimension underneath. Medium-full body. Rich. Good structure. Very good grip. Ripe at the end. I marked this highly at first, but it evolved rather too fast in the glass.
Romanée-Saint-Vivant, Domaine Follin-Arbelet. From 2016Medium-full colour. Discreet, classy nose. Lovely balanced, high-quality fruit here. Medium-full body. Lush, ripe, quite concentrated and very intense. Very fine.
Romanée-Saint-Vivant, Domaine Alain Hudelot-Noëllat. From 2016Medium-full colour. Classy fruit on the nose. Still a bit reticent. Intense and rich on the palate. Medium-full body. Lush and voluptuous. Lots of energy. Very lovely.
Romanée-Saint-Vivant, Domaine Leroy. From 2017This is very, very lovely. Splendidly concentrated, poised fruit. Very good grip. Only medium-full body, but intense and elegant, long and complex. Very fine indeed.
Romanée-Saint-Vivant, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. From 2016Good colour. Better than the Richebourg. Lovely nose. Pure and succulent. Ripe and round but fresh and vigorous for a 2007. Fullish body, ample and velvety on the palate. Good grip. This is complex and very elegant. Lovely finish. Very fine.
Richebourg, Domaine Grivot.From 2016Medium-full colour. Quite an austere nose. But high quality underneath. Medium-full body. Ripe. Intense. Splendid, really profound, concentrated fruit. Long and complex and very classy. Very fine.
Richebourg, Domaine A.F. Gros. From 2016Medium-full colour. Rich, ample, silky-smooth and voluptuous on the nose. Fullish body. Youthful. Very good grip. Ripe and intense. Fat and very seductive. Fine plus.
Richebourg, Domaine Leroy.From 2017More reticent on the attack than the Romanée-Saint-Vivant. Slightly less advanced, but not as complete. Medium-full body. Good grip. Very lovely fruit. Very fine.
Richebourg, Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair. From 2016Medium-full colour. Closed-in nose. Somewhat adolescent at present. But lots of vigour and richness. Medium-full body. A little oak. Rich if a bit sturdy at present. Fine, surely.
Richebourg, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. From 2016Medium colour. Less to it than the Romanée-Saint-Vivant. Pleasant fruity nose. No great depth or vigour. Medium body. Gentle, ripe, round, soft and stylish. But it lacks intensity, especially for a Richebourg.
La Tache, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. From 2017Good colour. Rich, ample, concentrated nose. Plenty of wine here. Fullish body. Good grip. Plenty of depth. Nice and fresh and positive. Classy and profound. Lovely finish. Very fine plus.
La Romanée, Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair. From 2016Medium-full colour. Very fine class and concentration on the nose. On the palate the wine is fullish and has glorious, multi-dimensional fruit. A really profound, complex and aristocratic wine. Brilliant.
Romanée-Conti, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. From 2015Good colour. Delicate but intense nose. No weakness here. Very complex and subtle. Very lovely fruit. La Tache gains by having more volume. This tails off just a touch at the end. Very fine nevertheless.
Bonnes-Mares, Domaine Francois Bertheau. From 2015Medium-full colour. Quite new oaky. But rich and ample on the nose. Fullish body. Lovely fruit. Nice and cool and balanced. But the oak is a bit dominant. Fine plus.
Bonnes-Mares, Domaine Bruno Clair. From 2016Medium-full colour. Full, fresh, youthful nose. Medium-full body. Rich. Fresh. Not quite the concentration and intensity but no lack of class and depth. Fine.
Bonnes-Mares, Domaine Drouhin-Laroze. From 2016Medium-full colour. Youthful nose. Sturdy and fresh. Lots of class and depth on the palate. Full body. Very energetic. Very good grip. Fine tannins. This is impressive. Needs time. Fine plus.
Bonnes-Mares, Domaine Robert Groffier. From 2014Medium-full colour. This is a bit of a disappointment. Somewhat rustic and reduced on the nose. Only medium body. Lacks grip. Some fruit at the end. I'd like to see this again.
Bonnrs-Mares, Domaine Georges Roumier. From 2016Medium-full colour. Very closed-in on the nose. Needs time. Some new oak evident. Full body. Backward. Some tannin. Lots of grip and energy. Lovely ample, rich follow-through. Very long on the palate high class. Very fine indeed.
Bonnes-Mares, Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé. From 2016Medium-full colour. Youthful, closed-in, but very classy nose. Medium-full body. Very ripe, succulent fruit. Ripe tannins and very good grip. Classy, long, complex and very lovely. Splendid long finish. But by no means a blockbuster. Very fine indeed.
Bonnes-Mares, Domaine de la Vougeraie.From 2015Medium-full colour. Spicy nose. Some elements of reduction. Medium-full body. There is some very good fruit here and no lack of grip. But at this stage I have a question mark over the class.
Musigny, Domaine Leroy. From 2014Slightly reduced, but it doesn't seem to have a great deal to it. Decent acidity. But a lack of depth and richness. Disappointing. To be seen again.
Musigny, Domaine J. F. Mugnier. From 2017Good colour.Lovely nose: rich, harmonious, ripe and concentrated. Classy and complex. Fullish body. Intense. Crammed with fruit. Lots of energy and depth. Great finesse. Very fine indeed.
Musigny, Domaine de la Vougeraie. From 2016Good colour. Full, rich and concentrated on the nose. Fullish body. Somewhat adolescent at present. Good grip and intensity. Abundant succulent fruit. Very fine grip. Fine but not great.
Musigny, Domaine Comte Georges de Vogûé, From 2016Good colour. Subtle, complex, very laid back, very lovely fruit on the nose. Fullish body. Some new oak. This is certainly very fine if without the complexity and intensity of great.
Clos des Lambrays, Domaine des Lambrays. From 2014Medium-full colour. Elegant but delicate on the nose. Medium to medium-full body. Stylish and fruity. Good intensity. Quite forward.
Clos-Saint-Denis, Domaine Bertagna. From 2015Medium-full colour. Good depth here. Good style and balance too. Medium-full body. Good grip. Fresh and elegant. Positive. Very good.
Clos de la Roche, Domaine Dujac. From 2014Essentially a soft-centered wine. Ripe. Even sweet. Balanced and classy. But not really enough backbone and energy. Good plus.
Clos de la Roche, Domaine Leroy. From 2014Medium weight. Ample, pretty, fresh and fruity. But It lacks real grip and energy. Very good at best.
Clos de la Roche, Domaine Hubert Lignier. From 2014Medium-full colour. ripe nose. Quite sturdy. Medium-full body. Good grip. A little adolescent at present.
Clos de la Roche, Domaine Louis Rémy. From 2014Medium colour. fresh, quite stylish but forward nose. On the palate this shows good fruit if not a lot of depth. Quite good plus.
Clos de Tart. Domaine du Clos de Tart. From 2015Medium-full colour. Ample and fruity on the nose, with good depth and dimension. Medium-full body. No lack of wine here. A touch of new oak. Good grip. Ripe and positive. Very good indeed.
Chapelle-Chambertin, Domaine Jadot. From 2016Medium-full colour. Vigorous on both the nose and the palate. Fat, rich and concentrated. Medium-full body. This is fine plus. It has more to it than most.
Chapelle-Chambertin, Domaine Perrot-Minot From 2015Fullish colour. Rich, ample, fat, concentrated nose. Fullish body. Ripe, vigorous and seductive. Classy and energetic. Fine plus.
Chapelle-Chambertin, Domaine Ponsot. From 2016Fullish structure. This has a bit more backbone than his Griotte. And doesn't show as well today. Good grip. Fine ripe tannins. Very good vigour. Will be lovely.
Chapelle-Chambertin, Domaine Rossignol-Trapet. From 2015Medium-full colour. High-toned nose. Gentle oaky background. Medium-full body. Rich, succulent, complex and complete. High class. Very long and very lovely.
Chapelle-Chambertin, Domaine Cecile Tremblay.. From 2015Medium-full colour. Ripe, ample, slightly earthy nose. Soft, ample, sweet and succulent on the palate. Medium-full body. Good vigour, but just a little astringency detracts from the enjoyment.
Chapelle-Chambertin, Domaine Jean et Jean-Louis Trapet. From 2016Soft, ripe, vigorous but understated. Very classy. Lots of dimension. Very classy and a lovely finish. Fine plus.
Charmes-Chambertin, Domaine Arlaud. From 2015Medium-full colour. Fresh, gently oaky nose. Stylish. Very good grip. Medium-full body. Round, ripe, vigorous fruit. Juicy and succulent. Lots of energy. Long and complex. Very good indeed.
Charmes-Chambertin, Domaine Denis Bachelet.From 2015Fullish colour. A ripe, rich, concentrated wine with a lot of depth. Very classy. Medium-full body. As ever it is a cut above most of the Charmes-Chambertins. But it is very 2007, in that it lacks real dimension and energy.
Charmes-Chambertin, Maison Henri Boillot. From 2015Medium-full colour. Rich, fat, concentrated, oaky nose. Very pure Pinot fruit. Medium-full body. Fresh and harmonious. Good length and depth. Long. Very good plus.
Charmes-Chambertin, Maison Chanson. From 2014Medium to medium-full colour. Fresh, ample, balanced nose. Good fruit. Medium-full body. On the palate this is ripe but a little uncouth. The finish is a touch astringent.
Charmes-Chambertin, Domaine Drouhin.From 2014Medium-full colour. Ripe, somewhat new-oaky on the nose. Medium to medium-full body. Good grip. Once again a little soft-centered but there is style here. Very good.
Charmes-Chambertin, Humbert Frères. From 2014Medium-full colour. Rather adolescent at present. But good substance and grip. No lack of ripe if at the moment somewhat burly fruit. Good plus.
Charmes-Chambertin, Maison Camille Giroud. From 2014Medium-full colour. Ripe, soft nose. Good depth if no great backbone. Soft, plump and easy to drink.
Charmes-Chambertin, Domaine Perrot-Minot.From 2014Medium-full colour. Soft, ripe nose. Abundant and round and easy to drink. Medium to medium-full body. Stylish and balanced if a little soft-centered.
Charmes-Chambertin, Maison Roche de Bellene. From 2014Medium-full colour. Fresh, ample, ripe, fruity nose. Medium-full weight. Good grip. A little weak on the follow-through. Only quite good.
Charmes-Chambertin, Domaine Armand Rousseau. From 2014Medium-full colour. Rich, ample, vigorous nose. good style. Medium-full body. Good but some brett flavours on the palate.
Charmes-Chambertin, Domaine Serafin. From 2015Medium-full colour. Gently oaky, quite intense, very ripe nose. Medium-full body. Lovely balanced, poised Pinot fruit here. Very succulent. Very seductive. Fine.
Charmes-Chambertin, Domaine Taupenot-Merme. From 2014Medium-full colour. Soft, fresh, elegant nose. No great depth but balanced and stylish. Medium to medium-full body. Ripe and luscious. Attractive finish.
Charmes-Chambertin, Mazoyères, Domaine de la Vougeraie. From 2014Medium-full colour. Soft and fruity on the nose, if a little loose-knit. Medium to medium-full body. Ripe and oaky and attractive. Good balance. Quite vigorous at the end. Very good if not great.
Griotte-Chambertin, Domaine Drouhin. From 2014Medium-full colour. A little raw on the nose at present, but ample and vigorous. Ripe and stylish. Good acidity. Medium-full body. Lovely complex fruit. Very good indeed, but very 2007.
Griotte-Chambertin, Domaine Ponsot. From 2015Medium-full body. Very pure, splendidly intense fruit. Very classy. Balanced and fragrant and lovely.
Latricières-Chambertin, Domaine Simon Bize. From 2015Medium colour. Soft and quite markedly oaky on the nose. Ripe, balanced and stylish. Rich and concentrated on the palate. Lots of energy and a fine long finish. Fine.
Latricières-Chambertin, Domaine Drouhin-Laroze. From 2014Medium-full colour. Soft nose. Fresh but on the light side. A most attractive, well-balanced, juict wine, but without grand cru concentration.
Latricières-Chambertin, Domaine Leroy.From 2014Somewhat raw. But not much backbone here. Unexciting.
Latricières-Chambertin, Domaine Louis Rèmy. From 2016Medium-full colour. Super-concentrated fruit here on the nose. Very lovely indeed. Long, complex and laid back. Velvety. Very fine fruit. Medium-full body. This is really classy.
Latricières-Chambertin, Domaine Rossignol-Trapet. From 2016Medium-full colour. Rich, full, spicy nose. Fullish body. Concentrated. Very good grip. Full of fruit. Good style and still youthful. Fine plus.
Latricières-Chambertin, Domaine Jean et Jean-Louis Trapet. From 2016A bigger wine than their Chapelle. But more rustic as well as more tannic. Not as much elegance and flair. But very good indeed nevertheless.
Mazis-Chambertin, Maison Bernstein. From 2014Good colour. Rich, ample and a little fleshy on the nose. Some oak if not a great deal of dimension. Medium body. Finishes a little short. Very good at best.
Mazis-Chambertin, Domaine Faiveley. From 2016Full colour. Backward on the nose. Firm and concentrated. Very good grip. A fragrant wine. Today it is their Cazetiers which seems the bigger and the more profound. But this has lovely, balanced, elegant fruit and a lovely finish.
Mazis-Chambertin, Domaine Maume. From 2015Medium-full colour. Soft, gently oaky, fruity nose. Fullish body. Just a little hard. The tannins are a bit rigid. But there is plenty of grip here. Good concentrated fruit. Very good plus.
Mazoyères-Chambertin, Domaine Perrot-Minot.From 2014Medium-full colour. Firm, vigorous, youthful, very lovely nose. Good grip. Quite structured and at present a bit austere. Some tannin. But very good fruit. The finish is fine.
Mazoyères-Chambertin, Domaine Taupenot-Merme.From 2014Medium-full colour. Ripe, succulent nose. Stylish and well-balanced. Medium-full body. Good grip. Finishes positively. Very good indeed.
Ruchottes-Chambertin, Dr. Georges Mugneret-Gibourg.From 2015Medium-full colour. Rich, ample concentrated fruit on the nose. Fullish, balanced and complex. Lots of grip. Very good acidity. High class.
Ruchottes-Chambertin, Clos des Ruchottes, Domaine Armand Rousseau From 2014Not realy very much here, and an absence of freshness. Some astringency. Not enough fruit.
Ruchottes-Chambertin, Domaine Christophe Roumier. From 2016Medium-full colour. Lots of class here. Very lovely, virile fruit on the nose. Medium-full body. Lots of dimension on the palate. Very good grip. Very lovely subtle fruit. Very fine.
Chambertin, Clos de Bèze, Domaine du Clos Frantin, Albert Bichot. From 2016Medium-full colour. rich, oaky nose. Fullish body. Very lovely fruit. Harmonious and classy. Long and complex. Succulent and oaky. Very fine.
Chambertin, Clos de Bèze, Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils.From 2016Good colour. Ripe and ample on the nose. Not a bit weak-kneed. Fullish body. Good tannins. Good grip. Very stylish fruit. Lots of depth and class. Fine plus.
Chambertin, Clos de Bèze, Domaine Bruno Clair. From 2017Full colour. Very closed in on the nose. Still very young. Fullish body. Rich, fat, very concentrated. Excellent grip. This is very fine.
Chambertin, Clos de Bèze, Domaine Pierre Damoy. From 2014Medium colour. Soft, fragrant, elegant nose. Not a lot of backbone but ripe and stylish. Medium body. Good length. Quite forward.
Chambertin, Clos de Bèze, Domaine Drouhin-Laroze. From 2013Medium to medium-full colour for the vintage. Soft, fragrant nose. Not a blockbuster. Indeed rather on the light side. Yet decent grip and intensity. And a good, positive, fresh, elegant finish.
Chambertin, Clos de Bèze, Domaine Louis Jadot. From 2016Medium weight. Fresh. Good grip. Ripe and succulent. Lots of style. Complex and really quite intense for a 2007. No great substance or tannic structure of course. But good character.
Chambertin, Clos de Bèze, Domaine Armand Rousseau.From 2016Medium-full colour. Soft, quite oaky nose. Medium-full body. Good rich fruit. Quite oaky. Balanced and quite profound. Fine plus.
Chambertin, Domaine Bertagna. From 2016Good colour for the vintage. Good fat, ample, slightly spicy nose. Very good size and depth and vigour for the vintage. Class too. Ripe and succulent. Good energy. One of the very best Chambertins this year. Very fine.
Chambertin, Maison Henri Boillot. From 2016Fullish colour. Firm nose. Quite closed; Fullish body. Good grip. A little austere at present. Some tannin. Plenty of weight and depth. Very good fruit underneath. Will get more charming as it evolves. very fine.
Chambertin, Domaine du Clos Frantin, Albert Bichot. From 2014Medium-full colour. Soft nose. No great depth or weight. Medium body. Not a great deal of tannin. Nor dimension. Yet an attractive wine for quite early drinking. Not short, nor does it lack charm.
Chambertin, Maison Camille Giroud. From 2015Medium-full colour. Ripe, fullish nose. Fullish body. Lots of succulent fruit here. rich. Very good grip. lovely finish. Very fine.
Chambertin, Domaine Leroy. From 2018Good nose. Rich and full, profound and classy. A lot of wine here for a 2007. Splendid fruit and a lot of depth and concentration. Lovely, long, intense finish. Very fine indeed.
Chambertin, Domaine Jacques Prieur. From 2015Medium colour. Gentle nose. Roasted nuts and bacon. More impressive on the palate. Good grip. This has vigour, freshness and a positive finish. Quite ample. This has got more to it than most.
Chambertin, Domaine Louis Rémy. From 2016Fullish colour. Quite full and concentrated on the nose. full body. this is very lovely. concentrated and harmonious. Very splendid fruit. Oaky and multi-dimensional. Very impressive.
Chambertin, Domaine Rossignol-Trapet. From 2015Medium-full colour. Ripe, succulent soft fruit, more red than black, on the nose. A gentle wine. No great strength, but it has good depth and grip and is very stylish. Fine but not great.
Chambertin, Domaine Armand Rousseau. From 2014Good colour. Not very forthcoming at first on the nose. Fullish body. rich and oaky. Lots of depth. Very good grip. Plenty of wine here and plenty of class. Excellent.
Chambertin, Domaine Jean et Jean-Louis Trapet.From 2015Medium-full colour. Classy nose. Lots of depth. Concentrated and very harmonious. Fullish body. Ample. Rich. Lots of grip. Lots of finesse. Very fine.