Domaine Denis Bachelet have updated their labels for 2005 and very nice they are too – also new and just off the picture is a tiny neck ‘lozenge’ for the vintage. I already noted in the last entry that the 2004 was problematic to start with, so I gave it a day-2 chance…
2004 Bachelet, Côtes de Nuits Villages
Medium-plus colour. The nose is pungent with cedary green odours, a significant swirl is required to release a faint sweet red note. Overnighting makes little difference to the aroma profile. The palate is supple, well textured and has a ripe complexion, but the cedar is very forward here too. Excellent for CdNV length, slightly creamy – but too pungent, even on day two.
Rebuy – No
2005 Bachelet, Côtes de Nuits Villages
Maybe a shade paler than the 2004, but there is still quite deeply coloured core. The nose is wide, with high-toned black berry-notes and a softer underbelly that hints at, but never really shows its cream. Mouth-filling, with almost covered, velvet tannin. Lots of primary fruit extract and a good expansion in the mid-palate. This is seriously lovely – with emphasis on the serious. I’ll have to check the price – and availability…
Rebuy – Yes
a brace of bachelet côte de nuits villages…
Update
24.10.2008(26.3.2008)
There are 4 responses to “a brace of bachelet côte de nuits villages…”
One of my favourite ‘fights above its weight’ wines. Down to my last bottle of the 99. But where can one buy the 05?
This green thing is pretty weird. I had the Bachelet 04 3 months ago – no green. But I drank two bottles of Potel’s Volnay Champans over the last six months. First bottle – no green, delicious. Second bottle (a month ago)green, mean and nasty.
In Burgundy a few weeks ago, Jean-Nicolas Meo said that when Jancis tasted his 04s they showed horribly with lots of green. But he said the streak has now completely gone, although didn’t produce a bottle to prove it.
I am pretty confused by the whole thing. And sitting on quite a few cases of 04s 🙁
Yes I was too-late Richard, the 05’s are now all gone – still 2 left in the cellar I suppose 🙁
David: The green thing will, I’m sure, reduce with time. The issue is that without it, these would be archetypal beautiful early drinking wines – just like those which are cedar free…
I am a Burgundy importer (including Denis Bachelet) and have been experiencing a roller-coaster ride with most of the 04s. It has been almost month by month, switching back and forth, fruit showing this time, then only that mean green the next time. This isn’t completely true, as the Bachelet regional and village wines were delicious for the first 6-9 months after bottling, as were many better 04s.
I agree with Bill, that with proper time, say starting in 2-3 years for village and in maybe 4-6 for top crus, there will be many balanced and charming 04s. Most 01s in my experience are delicious now, though admittedly this is a different style of vintage, it may have a similar aging curve.