A little green mint-leaf twists through the red fruit – it’s not a particularly ripe nose, even before you factor-in the 2009 vintage, but there’s nothing off-putting. In the mouth there is lots that is unripe, sone greenness to the flavours and although there’s not a lot of tannin, it has some astringency attached. Drinkable, but a long way from interesting…
Potel Nicolas
2009 Potel Nicolas Bourgogne Chardonnay Vieilles Vignes
1999 Potel Nicolas Bourgogne Rouge 'Maison Dieu' Vieilles Vignes
Medium, medium-plus colour. When first opened there’s a dark waft of oak supported by some bright cherry. Time in the glass makes the oak fade and the fruit come more to the fore, soft, sometimes powdery but very pretty red-cherry fruit. More than decent concentration for a regional, good acidity and balance. The tannin is mainly resolved though there’s still a little velvet-style texture. The finish is mouth-watering, sweet and red-coloured. The longer it was open, the better it tasted. Very nice indeed.
2007 Potel Nicolas Bourgogne Blanc
1999 Potel Nicolas Bourgogne Rouge 'Maison Dieu' Vieilles Vignes
Medium, medium-plus ruby-red colour. The nose is deep, with dark oak coating more distant baked red cherry, topped by higher-toned alcoholic notes. Initially good acidity starts to turn a little bright in the mid-palate and even faintly bitter as it runs into the finish – but I’m being picky here. To focus purely on the acidity ignores reasonably well grained tannin and ripe, oak coated fruit. This remains an above average and quite young bourgogne that is pretty well balanced and still needs a couple more years in the cellar – I think it will always retain its oaky base, but it’s not drying.
1999 Potel Nicolas Bourgogne Rouge 'Maison Dieu' Vieilles Vignes
First bottle corked, marginally, but corked. Medium ruby-red colour. The nose starts meaty, eventually giving up red berries – quite super as the bottle is finished. In the mouth it’s somewhat stodgy with acidity a little to the fore and noticeable tannin. It’s still almost good, but perhaps needs a couple more years in the cellar if ‘easy-drinking’ is your target – we’ll see.
2004 Potel Nicolas Bourgogne Rouge Cuvee Gerard Potel
Nicolas found it hard to get the fruit he wanted, eventually he sourced mainly from Pommard, the balance from the Côte de Nuits. It was an easy vinification, not much plunging and bottled a little earlier to keep the fruit. He decided to change his technique for the Bourgogne more in line with his father’s technique – so a saignée, 100% oak (none new) and ~20% stems. The nose is serious if a little closed and mixes a little oak toast with chocolate. Some sweetness on the palate, medium density and quite clean – any easy wine to drink.
2004 Potel Nicolas Bourgogne Blanc Cuvee Gerard Potel
1999 Potel Nicolas Bourgogne Rouge 'Maison Dieu' Vieilles Vignes
Medium cherry-red. The nose is deep but slightly diffuse, sweet and meaty, eventually showing more of a rd confiture. Good concentration, very good acidity and with a black aspect to the fruit. It’s become just a little spicier than I prefer, also there’s a little bitterness on the finish, but not enough to cause concern. Certainly it’s tightened in the last 18 months but no rush to drink-up.