1997 Daniel Rion, Nuits St.Georges 1er Les Vignes Rondes
Medium, medium-plus colour still. The nose is full of sweet-edged undergrowth and below there’s still a dark edge of oak-toast. In the mouth there’s a silkiness and good, if not totally seamless acidity. The dark flavours mirror the nose but have a nice extra creamy dimension, there’s still a bitter-chocolate edge to the tannins too. No sharp edges and only just beginning to enter its drinking window, despite its oaky beginings being still on display, this is becoming a very above average 1997.
Rebuy – Yes (and I don’t say yes to many ’97’s…)

I was in sunny Ludwigshafen yesterday – and I don’t mean on the Bodensee! – only a 17 hour round-trip!
By the time I returned home it was too late to open something, but I see I did not deliver you a note on this bottle yet:
1999 Joseph Drouhin, Côtes de Nuits Villages
Medium colour. A deep nose of spice and cedar plus faint, sweet and maturing background fruit. Quite silky, a slightly unripe impression to the fruit, good acidity and largely diminished tannin. A pretty length until some finishing bitterness. Interesting parts and great value, but missing charm today.
Rebuy – No

2006 Roger Belland, Bourgogne Pinot Noir
A relatively rare ‘Diam’ cork-amalgum seal. Medium, medium-plus colour. A nice, forward blend of red and black cherry that with swirling concentrates more on the red – the last drops are super and redcurranty. A surprising amount of fat for the appellation, relatively fine tannin and good acidity. In the mid-palate I have the impression of some savoury flavour that goes into a decent finish. Very superior Bourgogne and perfect for pouring now. Excellent.
Rebuy – Yes (and I did)

2004 Lignier-Michelot, Chambolle-Musigny Les Gammaires
Medium-plus colour. The nose starts with a fine depth and only the faintest of the vintage taint – slowly that a builds to an almost unpleasant level – after 2 hours it fades a little, giving a faint spearmint edge and some nice red berry notes. In the mouth there’s reasonable density and slightly forward acidity. The texture is okay, as is the slightly savoury length – maybe even a first hint of mushroom is there. If a little overwhelming on the nose the ’04 character’ remains only a faintly interesting note on the palate.
Rebuy – No