A great start and middle, then…
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2012 Le Grappin, Savigny-lès-Beaune
Hmm – high tones, dark fruit and a fine width of aroma. This wine fills the mouth with freshness and dark sour cherry fruit – it’s mouth-wateringly delicious and that’s before it adds another creamy dimension in the mid and finishing flavours. Pure, intense, fine textured and getting better and better with aeration – absolutely delicious. 2-3 years really add an extra something to Mr Neilson’s wines!
Rebuy – Yes

2016 Chateau Thivin, Brouilly Reverdon
Such a deep colour after the Savigny. A deep, dark, fresh mineral impression to the nose – very inviting. Fresh, a depth of earthy cherry flavour that’s both direct and beautifully textured. Such a delicious baby wine!
Rebuy – Yes

1990 Michel Juillot, Corton-Perrières
The cork comes out relatively easily – therein the problem – this pale coloured wine was completely oxidised. Poured away…

Sneakily extending this year’s ‘Cremant January’ into February.

Gilles et Romain Collet, Cremant de Bourgogne
Of-course, ‘Cremant de Chablis’ with wine from the 2015 vintage.
Like the recent wine of Clothilde Davenne, a simply delicious nose of ripe mirabelles – but still with freshness and deliciousness. Loved this.
Rebuy – Yes

Louis Bouillot, Cremant de Bourgogne Extra Brut – Limited Edition
Deeper golden. Oh – now we are talking! A much finer bubble and already suaveness too – this could be an expensive wine from another place. Extra Brut but not a hint of sharpness – if anything this delivers its flavour in a very composed and fine style. Truly great cremant – fine and not a hint of oxidative notes.
Rebuy – Yes

​2016 Jean-Claude Ramonet, Mâcon-Péronne
A nose of chalky fruit, faint spearmint – this is so very inviting. Oh this is lovely in the mouth too! Flinty minerality, accented with citrus, and just a hint of barrel cushioning. Fresh and sooo delicious. Great Mâcon – even if it comes out of Chassagne!
Rebuy – Yes

1995 Pousse d’Or, Santenay 1er Clos Tavannes
Right from opening a clarity and brilliance of aroma – clean as a mature nose can be – but so rarely is – brown sugar, red fruit, almost a little pomegranate and fresh leaves. Fresh, direct, flavour that reflects the nose, only slowly widening as it flavours melt over the palate. Stable, delicious, great mature wine – bravo!
Rebuy – No Chance!

2005 Lignier-Michelot, Chambolle-Musigny Vieilles-Vignes
Deep colour. This is rather a compact nose, underpinned with an attractive purity of raspberry conserve. Intense, relatively direct, but with great texture for such impressive concentration. Yet… This is a little workmanlike; I expect much more from this combination of cuvée/vintage. Perhaps a little cork scalping here? – there’s a suggestion of herb in the mid-palate. This is still, more than good wine, but I had higher expectations…
ReBuy – Maybe