2005 Ardhuy, Pommard 1er Les Fremiers
Deep colour, and still rather young-looking colour at that. Deep, dark blackcurrant and cherry notes, a faint whiff of (probably oak) spice too. Concentrated, intense, this conceals rippling muscle below a sauve-suited exterior – there’s simply no other vintage that this wine could come from, given the blend of density and concentration, yet balance too – though maybe I won’t go as far as to say ‘grace’. Ripe, understated tannin would beg a rule-change from the Pommard ‘norm’. Smooth, attention-holding drinking – just a superbly accomplished wine – I wish I had bought more; my recent ‘stock-check’ pointing to just one more in the cellar.
Rebuy – Yes

Without doubt I’m a little biased, but what wonderful value this wine is, not just from the basic perspective of Savigny pricing, but for the impressive quality within too…

2010 Camille Giroud, Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Les Peuillets
Medium, medium-plus colour. Aromatically there’s still more than a nod to the barrels with a creamy depth to pretty red fruit. In the mouth the oak adds multiple dimensions but can only do so because of the wine’s inherent depth of flavour – otherwise that oak would be very boring! Sweetness of cushioned red fruit and a peak of acid-borne, high-toned flavour in the mid-palate. This is just lovely – but the domaine is sold out of 2010s – thankfully there are more in this cellar!
Rebuy – Yes

2002 Leflaive, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Les Combettes
With my first sip, I wasn’t sure what to make of this wine – it seemed so dry – but by the third sip all was okay (something I ate?) The nose is really less about chardonnay, and perhaps less about Puligny, than about Leflaive; gunflint and savoury is the impression. In the mouth this is decently concentrated and shows a nice mid-palate intensity. The acidity is fine too. My overall impression is of a lithe, sinewy wine with truly excellent detail. I still think it is more ‘Leflaive’ than Puligny – at least aromatically – but no harm done; a wine in perfect condition that is also drinking perfectly…
Rebuy – Yes

Opened as the thunder and lightening gave way to a lovely sunset…

Albert Bichot, Crémant de Bourgogne, Brut Rose
Bought from a merchant in Germany. Don’t worry, no tasting note! Only to say that this followed a very nice (if slightly sweet) grower Champagne. All three of us preferred this bit of fun!
Rebuy – Yes

2010 Louis Jadot, Meursault
I never really know what to expect with a Jadot white; some wines are steely and exciting – right up my Strasse – others are rather creamy/vanilla oaky which can either cloy or may still offer a wave of excitement if there is acidity and minerality too (like this). This wine is an okay wine, a wine that drinks easily, but it is also a wine that plays to a stereotypical round, slightly fat, vanilla-infused Meursault character. It’s a good-enough wine then, in that cliched vernacular, but I prefer a little more cold steel, even in my Meursault…
Rebuy – Maybe

It’s quite a while since I last had one of these – my cellar tidy-up (2.5, from 10 sides of A4, so-far transposed…) has located many things worth revisiting!

1997 Nicolas Potel, Volnay
Medium, medium-plus colour. The nose starts a little burly, but as the air does its work this lightens and offers a quite interesting red cherry conserve – far from complex, but very inviting – particularly so for a 97 – as many are a little herbal these days. Round, its full-textured impression has a little fat, though good acidity to support it. Nicely balanced and drinkable, this is a wine of indeterminate age but no obvious vintage pointers. Drinking rather well just now…
Rebuy – Yes

2010 Louis Max, Nuits St.Georges 1er Les Damodes
Medium, medium-plus colour. The nose starts with a breath of CO₂ and a faint reductive note – the CO₂ is hardly obvious after 15 minutes (I hadn’t shaken…). In the mouth I did still find some gas so eventually gave the bottle a good shake – there was plenty to remove! The nose, sans gas, takes on a more red-fruit character with faint herbs, spices and high tones – I get a suggestion of flowers too – nice. The palate is also red-fruited with good balance and very good mid-palate intensity – lingering quite well too. Likeable wine.
Rebuy – Yes