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…
Bourgogne Pinot Noir Vieilles Vignes
2006 Girardin Vincent Bourgogne Pinot Noir Vieilles Vignes
2006 Bichot Albert Bourgogne Pinot Noir Vieilles Vignes
Ever-candid, my contact at Bichot tells me it is often economically stupid to vinify yourself an entry-level burgundy, but this is the task they set themselves. Medium-plus colour. The nose is soft, dark and a litlle musky – but with quite polished fruit. Good ripeness and plenty of tannin with a faintly lingering finish. A clean and tasty wine which I expect to be great value
2005 Bichot Albert Bourgogne Pinot Noir Vieilles Vignes
Only made from grapes – no must or part-finished wine. Medium, medium-plus cherry red. High-toned, quite precise fruit on the nose – cherry compote. Lots of fresh fruit flavour here. The tannins have some grain and ‘grab’ your mouth with a little astringency – but they are quite ripe and playful. Whilst there is an almost Beaujolais aspect to the fruit, this is a great wine at its very low price point.
2003 Bichot Albert Bourgogne Pinot Noir Vieilles Vignes
Medium cherry-red colour. High-toned with kirsch on the nose, swirling reveals red fruit and a green note. The palate shows quite a vegetal mid-palate – not quite right. The replacement bottle is completely different, deeper coloured, sweeter nose and nothing green on the palate. Almost good structure. This is a well-made wine that would make a good house red, but leave it for another year first.