(2003) Philippe Jambon VdT de France Baltailles
Why did I buy this? I thought it would be interesting because it was something that I do not usually run across and the clerk pitched it as a fascinatingly delicate gamay for the vintage that was beginning to take on pinot noir characteristics although always in the fragrant gamay mold. Well sure, if you consider brown funk to be a core pinot noir characteristic. Undrinkable.
2006 Eric Morgat Savennires LEnclos
I had been curious about these Morgat wines for some time and heard that the style was getting more precise in recent years. Not having tasted previous vintages I cant make the comparison but this was still a bit too polished for my tastes. The fruit is round and polished but not at all oaky or clumsy. Yet it gets too tiring and does not inspire me to keep drinking. I want more vivacity in my Savennires!
2003 Domaine de la Citadelle Ctes du Luberon Gouverneur Saint Auban
Speaking of tiring. A friend gave me a bottle of this because he thought it was the most impressive example of the rising Ctes du Luberon appellation and he even slipped in some words about massive Parker points. Well I dont care much for the Luberon or Parker points, but I can see why this might appeal to those who like to drink dry port with their meals. For the rest of us mere mortals: no thank you!
2005 Jean Foillard Morgon ∏ Cuve 3,14
My first time with the special Foillard cuve and it did not disappoint. Definitely darker deeper and richer than the other bottlings but very fine, clear, focused, and picks up some lively tactile texture as it airs. Just what one would expect. One might prefer the other bottlings for something a bit less serious but this did not sacrifice the Foillard life and joy and was just another interpretation of Pure Pleasure.
2000 Henri Gouges Nuits St. Georges Les Pruliers
With a little bit of air this drinks very very well. Not the most precise wine, and the nose/flavors are ever so slightly muddy, so Im guessing I wouldnt hold onto this forever. But it does have elegant threads of firm and ever so slightly sweaty sweet supple well-framed fruit. Not a blockbuster, but fun with the meal.
2000 Jean Grivot Nuits St. Georges Les Roncires
This needs more air than the Gouges Pruliers and over a few hours it shows lots and lots of exuberant pleasure. Friendly juicy wine with nice firmness for support and some underlying minerality to keep the palate alive. The sweet cherry beet note is a bit monotone and seems to betray a lack of nobility, but Im no snob and this was so expressive and well-proportioned that I was more than happy to drink it.
1996 Henri Gouges Nuits St. Georges Les Vaucrains
I opened this after hearing reports from a reliable source that a recent bottle had been outstanding. Well this was not exactly outstanding but it was better than I feared. Not at all tannic or acidic or difficult to drink. It was very clear, focused, deep, and elegant with plenty of firm fruit to toss around the mouth. All things considered it is probably not the best time to open it given what future developments probably have in store. But for those who are curious this was just fine to drink and avoids those Gouges stereotypes.
2006 Ghislaine Barthod Bourgogne Rouge
Not bad for Bourgogne rouge. Thats it.
Why did I buy this? I thought it would be interesting because it was something that I do not usually run across and the clerk pitched it as a fascinatingly delicate gamay for the vintage that was beginning to take on pinot noir characteristics although always in the fragrant gamay mold. Well sure, if you consider brown funk to be a core pinot noir characteristic. Undrinkable.
2006 Eric Morgat Savennires LEnclos
I had been curious about these Morgat wines for some time and heard that the style was getting more precise in recent years. Not having tasted previous vintages I cant make the comparison but this was still a bit too polished for my tastes. The fruit is round and polished but not at all oaky or clumsy. Yet it gets too tiring and does not inspire me to keep drinking. I want more vivacity in my Savennires!
2003 Domaine de la Citadelle Ctes du Luberon Gouverneur Saint Auban
Speaking of tiring. A friend gave me a bottle of this because he thought it was the most impressive example of the rising Ctes du Luberon appellation and he even slipped in some words about massive Parker points. Well I dont care much for the Luberon or Parker points, but I can see why this might appeal to those who like to drink dry port with their meals. For the rest of us mere mortals: no thank you!
2005 Jean Foillard Morgon ∏ Cuve 3,14
My first time with the special Foillard cuve and it did not disappoint. Definitely darker deeper and richer than the other bottlings but very fine, clear, focused, and picks up some lively tactile texture as it airs. Just what one would expect. One might prefer the other bottlings for something a bit less serious but this did not sacrifice the Foillard life and joy and was just another interpretation of Pure Pleasure.
2000 Henri Gouges Nuits St. Georges Les Pruliers
With a little bit of air this drinks very very well. Not the most precise wine, and the nose/flavors are ever so slightly muddy, so Im guessing I wouldnt hold onto this forever. But it does have elegant threads of firm and ever so slightly sweaty sweet supple well-framed fruit. Not a blockbuster, but fun with the meal.
2000 Jean Grivot Nuits St. Georges Les Roncires
This needs more air than the Gouges Pruliers and over a few hours it shows lots and lots of exuberant pleasure. Friendly juicy wine with nice firmness for support and some underlying minerality to keep the palate alive. The sweet cherry beet note is a bit monotone and seems to betray a lack of nobility, but Im no snob and this was so expressive and well-proportioned that I was more than happy to drink it.
1996 Henri Gouges Nuits St. Georges Les Vaucrains
I opened this after hearing reports from a reliable source that a recent bottle had been outstanding. Well this was not exactly outstanding but it was better than I feared. Not at all tannic or acidic or difficult to drink. It was very clear, focused, deep, and elegant with plenty of firm fruit to toss around the mouth. All things considered it is probably not the best time to open it given what future developments probably have in store. But for those who are curious this was just fine to drink and avoids those Gouges stereotypes.
2006 Ghislaine Barthod Bourgogne Rouge
Not bad for Bourgogne rouge. Thats it.
