The advantage of returning home from the Côtes with too much (okay – just ‘a lot of’) wine, is that you need to tidy up in the cellar a little, which also means that you will probably ‘find’ something. Actually I found a few things, including this. My experience of other de Vogüés bought (at the time) from this retailer was poor – too many heat impaired bottles – this is probably in the same mould – but let’s see.
2000 Comte Georges de Vogüé, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru
Medium-plus colour – still with a youthful colour. On first opening there’s a very pretty floral note, but it’s quickly replaced with something spicy and herbal – not unnatractive, but it’s no siren either. After roughly 90 minutes the nose becomes altogether more interesting again, showing faint flowers and a lovely cushioned fruit impression. Quite full in the mouth, still with a platform of mildly grained tannin that supports dark, faintly roast fruit. The acidity slowly comes from behind the veil, yet remains resolute in its understatement. The texture is rather smooth but the border between the mid-palate and finish has a little sharp, acid-led, heat. Certainly this remains a concentrated, drinkable and rather young bottle – just don’t look at the cost of replacement!
Rebuy – Maybe