A few more notes to share. So far I am pretty impressed with what I am seeing at all levels; the wines seem to have some real definition whether it be high acids, rich fruit concentration or great tannin structure. One appellation that I am constantly being "blown away by" is Marsannay. Quality is fantastic and the wines are well priced as well. The only problem that I foresee is getting hold of some of the Reds as yields are well down (30% to 50% in some cases).
DUROCHE (GEVREY CHAMBERTIN)
Gevrey Chambertin "Jeunes Rois"
Sweet juicy red fruits (cherry, raspberry, strawberry) with gentle tannins. Very refreshing style. Very good. 16.5
Gevrey Chambertin "Aux Etelois"
More heady nose than the Jeunes Rois; cherry and plum fruits with some floral and spicy notes. Great freshness, lovely texture in the mouth. Firmer tannins but nicely integrated with the fruit. Verg Good. 17
Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Estournelles St Jacques
Earthy, gamey and clove notes at the forefront, with bags of red fruit lurking in the background. Rich and volupturous fruit concentration; big step up from the two village wines. Spiky, but ripe tannins with some minerality on the finish. 17.5
Charmes Chambertin
Much more floral notes than any of the other wines. Lots of lush red fruits with soft and supple tannins; for me just lacking a bit of complexity for a wine at this level. 16.5
Latricieres Chambertin
This is more like it. Lots of wonderful aromas(clove, cinnamon,thyme, smoked pancetta, earthy, mushroom and red fruits). Rich and oily, lots of mid palate weight. Chewy but utterly delightful tannins; very fresh acid balance. Rich, savoury finish. Excellent. 18.5
PIERRE DAMOY (GEVREY CHAMBERTIN)
Gevrey Chambertin "Clos Tamisot"
Rich nose; forest floor, spice, cinnamon, clove, bacon fat, black and red fruits. Bags of mouthwatering of acidity. Fairly coarse, firm tannins but bags of fruit beneath. Excellent quality at this level. 18
Chapelle Chambertin
Moody nose; not giving up much. Spice, black cherry, sea salt and black olive. Rich, full on style (slightly over extracted?). Very chewy tannins; lots of power and weight. 17
Chambertin Clos de Beze
Lots of aromatics here; violets, wild roses, porcini mushroom and cured meatsa and ripe fruits. Very tight on the palate; tannins "kick in" almost immediately but lots of delights hiding in the background. Great freshness. Very fine indeed. 19
HUDELOT NOELLAT (VOUGEOT)
Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru Charmes
Stinky nose; gamey, shitty, mushroomy - lovely stuff! Lush and silky fruits,firm but very ripe tannins. Very good indeed. 18
Clos Vougeot
Earthy notes, some wild flowers and stewed fruits (plum and cherry). Fairly open style, lots of lush red fruits. Super intensity and beautiful acid/fruit balance. 18.5
JEAN FOURNIER (MARSANNAY)
Marsannay Clos du Roy Blanc
Nervy, kerosene notes, orange blossom with ripe peach and nectarine. Lots of mid plate richness - tropical fruits; great oak integration. Beautifully balanced. Very fine indeed; so much better than I was expecting. 18
Marsannay Clos du Roy Rouge
Fresh, forward nose, some spice notes, Masses of red fruits, soft and supple. Mouthwatering sherbet like acidity and then the structure takes over and it closes up on the finish. WOW; is this really Marsannay that I am tasting? 18.5
Marsannay Echezots
A little backward on the nose. Some confected red fruits(fruit pastille!). On the palate the wine is much more open than the Clos du Roy; one for earlier drinking. Attractive fresh acidity. Very Good. 17.5
Marsannay "Trois Terres"
Very lifted violet/floral top notes. Rich and full on the palate; a bit too extracted for my taste. Coarse, firm tannins. 16.5
COILLOT (MARSANNAY)
Marsannay Grasses Tetes
Lots of floral notes and red fruits (strawberry, raspberry). Very fruit driven style, well rounded tannins. lots of freshness. Good. 16
Marsannay Longeroies
More powerful nose than the Grasses Tetes. Some black fruit as well as red fruit. Rich on the palate; very silky tannins. Very Good. 17
DOMAINE DES LAMBRAYS (MOREY ST DENIS)
Morey St Denis
Lots of sea salt, some florals, delicate red fruits (reminds me of a young barolo). Delicious, delicate fruits. Beautiful lemon sherbet like acidity which carrys everything along. Very fine indeed. 17.5
Clos de Lambrays
Amazing floral notes just like the Morey. Some spices and red fruits (redcurrant, red cherry). Good concentration of fruit on the mid palate. Chewy, chalky tannins. 17
FOURRIER (GEVREY CHAMBERTIN)
Morey St Denis Clos Solon
Red fruits; strawberry and raspberry. Some earthy notes. A little light in the mid palate; fairly coarse tannins. 16
Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes
Rhubarb, red cherry and spice. Soft juicy fruits; great texture and weight. 17
Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Cherbaudes
Leafy, herbaceous notes. Raspberry, Cherry and Wild strawberry fruits. Fine, juicy tannins with some good mid palate richness. Zesty acidity and very fresh. 17.5
Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Champeaux
Prominent, fruity nose almost "bubble gum" like. Succulent crunchy fruits (cherry, raspberry) beautifully concentrated and then the cherry blossom perfumes take you off in another direction. Super lenght; this is a super wine. 19.5
Gervey Chambertin 1er Cru Combe aux Moines
More earthy notes, roasted meats and spices. Red cherry and rhubarb. More obvious structure than the other Gevrey's. Crunchy, stalky tannins but very ripe. Amazing freshness and weight. 19
Another tasting this evening; will add more thoughts in due course.
Mark