Another Birthday Post (Jul. 29, 2013)


Not my birthday this time, but that of a much more generous gentleman, who hosted us rowdy lot at his home, dined and wined us, and presumably cleaned up after us as well.

Another wow night.

Decelle-Villa, Auxey-Duresses, 2011

Pears and dry grass. A savory/saline finish offsets the oak. A very pretty white that should drink young enough to avoid the usual Bourgogne premox fears.

Etienne Sauzet, Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru, Les Perrieres, 2008

Fine, discrete fruit, shut down enough that the kiss of oak is still blatant both nose and palate. I've drunk mature Sauzet so I know it should get better than this.

Domaine Leflaive, Puligny-Montrachet, 2009

A gentler, subtler hand on the oak here, although it's obvious here as well. A hint of Atlantic on the nose and citrus. More balanced and detailed than the Sauzet, and the 2009 ripeness is well reined in.

Comte Lafon, Meursault, Clos de la Barre, 2008

Apples, slightly honeyed, with a vibrant streak of mineral. Very tasty and finessed, the lightest hand on the oak so far, with joyful acidity.

Alain Burguet, Gevrey-Chambertin, Cuvee Place des Lois, 2007

Pungent minerals, a touch of gaminess. Bright red fruit.  Light and rather short but fun.

Robert Groffier, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru, Les Sentiers, 2007

A wonderful nose! forest floor deluxe.  Sweet red fruit. The tannins are harsh but the overall impact of the fruit makes for a very appealing impression. Likely the WOTN.

Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillu, Saint Julien, 2me Cru, 1996

Green and earthy. A mean and lean claret, with savory tannins and acidity, with very low key fruit that gains better definition and deeper complexity in glass.

Chateau Angelus, Saint Emilion Premier Grand Cru, 1999

A complex, sexy nose. Earthy, very claret. Friendlier, sexier. Ripe and sweet, compared  to the Ducru, yet with a similar backbone of tannins.

Domaine Jacques Prieur, Chevalier-Montrachet, 2007

Rainwater on the nose, limpid and sweet. Not the best representative of the Montrachet name, to say the least.

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