rathdowne cru blog

Busy day tasting

Bonjour,

We had a big day today. First up, Jean Grivot in Vosne. We tried the 2008s from cask. All of which were going through malo so weren’t looking top notch but somehow the Clos Vougeot with its darkness, and muscular frame, the Echezeaux with its perfume and finesse and the Richebourg (especially Richebourg) with its power and presence and a certain je ne sais quoi, all looked out standing if a bit too young.

The a lunch in the park at Puligny followed by a quick flight of whites at the local Caveau and we were off to Etienne Sauzet. We tried a range of the 2006s from bottle. They all looked great but my heart broke when I had to tip out the Chevalier Montrachet because I was DD for the day. It was perfumed, elegant, complex, subtle and really complete for such a young wine. The Batard-Montrachet was great too but was a bit bigger and a bit tighter. Both would be great in your cellar (or mine for that matter). The Premier Cru Combettes and Perrier made a great showing and the Puligny Village and Bourgogne blanc were both great in the affordable stakes.

Next a made dash to Pernand to find Bonneau du Martray, suprisingly hard in a small village. After a few calls and wrong turns plus one drive by we got there. Comte Jean-Charles showed us a vertical of Corton-Charlemagne 91 (looked great), 93 (a bit developed but still drinking well), 94 (stunning, drinking beautifully, if I had some I’d drink it now), 2003 (bigger but still lovely balance, will drink sooner than some I’d say), 04 (elegant, tight, needs time), 05 (a balance between the power of 03 and the structure and balance of 04, a stunner to tuck away) and 06 (looked tight and youthful but will be a great wine). Then we tried the Corton (rouge) 06 which had not long been bottled and the structure stood over the fruit but I reckon the balance will return and it will be a great drink too.

So after a long day all I want to do is relax at a 3 michelin star restaraunt and drink a bottle of Bonneau du Martray 1994 or Maybe an older Grivot Richebourg hmmm. Maybe both.

Tomorrow we have our version of Super Tuesday. But its on Thursday and about wine not politics. We will visit Armand Rousseau, Mongeard-Mugneret and then Comte Georges de Vogue. Maybe Cam will even be DD for the day?

So spare a thought for the road weary explores. I do have to say it is quite taxing driving on the roads here. They are tight and the best place to park is where the car is, no more thought required.

Au revoir,
Phil