This really started with the ‘uncovering’ of an unopened 6-pack of Potel’s 99 Volnay VV – I opened one up and it was excellent, so what else lay in the cellar untested? I decided to call it a day once 5 bottles of the same vintage were rounded up – though in truth it was 7 bottles – 2 consecutive bottles were corked…
So here is the (alphabetical) list of wines that will appear over the next days:
1999 Premier Crus
- Robert Arnoux, Vosne-Romanée 1er Les Suchots …find…
- Veronique Drouhin, Vosne-Romanée 1er Les Petits Monts …find…
- J-F Mugnier, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Les Amoureuses …find…
1999 Grand Crus
- Domaine des Chézeaux (Ponsot), Clos St.Denis cuvée Vieilles Vignes …find…
- Louis Jadot, Chambertin Clos de Bèze …find…
Here’s the first note – see if you can guess which is the wine:
Wine #1
Medium ruby red, still with a cherry-red rim. The nose starts a little diffuse but quickly tightens; it’s still a rather understated and bashful but has soft red fruit with the faintest cream rim – as you would expect (hope) from any of these wines, you can sniff this all day long as the intensity slowly builds into a perfect redcurrant as the glass empties. The sweet palate reflects the nose – it’s no powerhouse – intensity without apparent weight and almost perfect silky texture. There’s plenty of acidity but the balance is first-class. Absolutely everything about this wine is understated – apart from it’s class! There are no fireworks, but I’m still sad that I bought 6 and not 12! Young obviously, but a rewarding drink right now.
Like a beautiful lady watched across a room that I didn’t manage to speak with.
There are 2 responses to “onto the 1999’s – a game for the next days”
Hi Bill,
I’ll have a crack and guess that it’s the Mugnier, given you’re description of a pretty, red curranty, mid-weight wine with good acidity. Seems to fitin with the house style for mine.
No doubt, I’ll wind up with egg on my face!!
Cheers,
Kent
Well you laid down a marker Kent – and I didn’t mean the egg 😉