The previous evening was leftovers again, but this time supplemented with 2004 Puligny and 2002 Fourrier Gevrey Clos St.Jacques. The white had a very obvious 2004 character, the red was elegance personified – no fireworks but understated complexity.
Today and it’s raining – not too heavy, but wet all the same. We have no grapes today; the Beaune Avaux and Corton Rognets was advanced and the Gevrey and Vosne were put back to tomorrow. Chambertin won’t be harvested until the end of the week. So in the morning I chatted with a couple of very similar vignerons (well, same village!) David Clark and Laurent Ponsot in Morey. I asked Laurent how his harvest was shaping up and he flashed a big smile and said “what harvest, we wont begin anything in Morey for at least a week!“. Acually he was going to be getting some first grapes from Corton soon, but even in the cold and damp he was very confident that photosynthesis would continue and that his grapes would improve. David Clark was also in good shape, looking to start his harvest on Tuesday or Wednesday, so-far nothing had been cut.
Back to Beaune in time for lunch; avocado with home-made mayonnaise, pork with cauliflower cheese, cheese and then floating islands for dessert. Wines to accompany were JN Gagnard 2006 Chassagne 1er Boudriotte, a 1996 Giroud Côte de Beaune, a 2007 David Duband Morey 1er Clos Sorbé and lastly one of my 1991 Saviour Club Chapelle-Chambertins (or Chapelles-Chambertin as the cork was stamped). The Gagnard had good balance a very sneaky, oak driven, creamy mid-palate though perhaps need a bit more intensity, the Giroud was relatively sweet and drinkable despite the acid at its base, the Duband had a sweet oaky, almost confected note and finally the Chapelle was a treat!
Quote of the week overheard during lunch “I don’t think I can survive a second week without a toilet seat!!“. Far from being an initiation ceremony for non-French stageurs, it turns out the original was broken, and nobody had got around to buying a replacement. Various consultations ensued as to whether particular ‘outlines’ would be beneficial for the person delegated to make the purchase!
There is one response to “harvest – 27th september”
Hey Bill!
Great writeup and photos! We actually just picked our Morey Saint Denis ‘Monts Luisants’ rouge last Saturday afternoon along with Gevrey-Chambertin ‘Les Corbeaux’. Sunday we went over and pulled from Les Chaffots in Morey Saint Denis. We will be waiting on the others until Wednesday for Charmes-Chambertin and Friday for Chambertin.
As you had written Sunday was a beautiful day. Perfect for picking.
Looking forward to more of your updates.
Cheers