Deep colour. Nose is closed, though higher toned than the Charmes. High acid, medium tannin, indeed, leaner and less ‘thick’ than the last wine. Not a ‘big’ wine, but very, very long finish. Much ‘fresher’ when compared to the Chambertin – next.
Grand
1996 Rousseau Armand Chambertin
1996 Gros Anne Clos de Vougeot
1996 Confuron JJ Romanée Saint-Vivant
1996 Arnoux Robert Romanée Saint-Vivant
1996 Hudelot-Noellat Romanée Saint-Vivant
1996 Grivot Jean Richebourg
1996 Gros Anne Richebourg
Anne has a shorter cold soak, and ferments at a higher temp than Grivot. Colour is very deep. Less closed again, cherry and plum fruits. High acid, reduced tannin compared to Grivot’s. More obviously fruity palate with a slightly creamy oak finish. Full bodied, again very, very long and again – fabulous!
1996 Comte Georges de Vogüé Musigny Vieilles Vignes
Deep colour. Again the nose giving little away, though certainly, higher toned than the previous wines. High tannin, though much lower than the Richebourgs. It somehow seems to combine the body of the last wine, with being smoother and softer. This wine has, by a margin, the longest finish – incredible!