The lunch menu offered up a tantalising wine option – Domaine Leflaive Bourgogne Rouge – I never heard of it, clearly it was worth investigating. Of-course when the bottle arrived the mistake was clear, it was actually from Olivier Leflaive. Anyway the bottle was here so why not give it a whirl(?)
2006 Olivier Leflaive, Bourgogne Cuvée Margot
Medium cherry-red. The nose started red and a little powdery, the powdery edge slowly lifted to reveal simple but nice enough red berry aromas. The palate had reasonable balance, likewise the concentration was not bad for an 06 bourgogne. It’s only a few hours since I drank more than one glass but I can tell you little more. It was okay, but in a forgetful sort of way. Even if it was very cheap I can think of no valid reason to try it again…
Rebuy – No

Here’s an interesting report about what some people carry in their suitcases!

Chambolle still has many nice wines in 2006, but at the villages level, there is clearly not the density to be found from the 2005 vintage. That said, I continue to buy a number of tasty, balanced wines – one of these two made it into the basket, the other not.

I literally found this terrible on opening – an already open Potel-Aviron 05 Morgon Côte du Py was so much better on every level (at about 30% of the price) – a little (actually a lot of) patience helped considerably!
2006 Arlaud, Chambolle-Musigny
The colour is more red than cherry or purple. The first sniff did not impress – no focus, dirty oak, no fruit, in fact soupy. The flavours were not dissimilar, no chambolle, just sweet soupy oak – yuk! I try to be fair, so stoppered it up and left it in the refridgerator for 2 days: The nose has transformed; red fruit melded to caramel and a faint note of brioche. In the mouth there is also a tightening, some fat and more red fruit. A reasonable extra dimension of flavour in the mid-palate though the acidity needs a little more focus. If you have this, make sure you decant a few hours before or bury it in your cellar – either way it’s hard work!
Rebuy – No
2006 Lignier-Michelot, Chambolle-Musigny Vieilles-Vignes
Medium, medium-plus cherry-red colour. Right from the start the nose is wide width an impressive depth of dark fruit – few higher tones but some complexity lower down. Less fat than the Arlaud, but more focus from fine acidity. Lithe, with nice concentration and just a twist of slightly astringent, bitter-chocolate tannin. The flavour profile is good and long-lasting. Tasty wine.
Rebuy – Yes

And finally:

• Philippe Pacalet is a GMO monster apparently! 😉
• How Bureaucrats Are Wrecking French Wine