2003 Lignier-Michelot, Morey St.Denis Vieilles Vignes
Medium-plus colour. The nose is forward, maybe a hint porty and certainly very ripe but generally the fruit talks of pinot. Ripe, plenty of concentration and very well mannered tannin. The understated acidity provides good balance and just enough freshness. It’s riper than I prefer, but if the nose talks of pinot then fruit on the palate clearly says burgundy. A good effort.
Rebuy – Maybe

I don’t often buy wines from Maison Latour, and whilst I’ve had so-so bottles from them, it has more been due to lack of local availability than quality reasons. Now I’ve found a relatively close merchant, so two or three bottles might appear over the next days.
2005 Louis Latour, Gevrey-Chambertin
Medium-plus colour. The first sniff seems architypal Gevrey; dark fruit against an earthy, almost grainy nose. With open time it becomes higher toned with more red fruit, seems much softer if a little less interesting. Decent concentration and certainly it’s more red-fruited in the mouth. Good acidity and late appearing tannin with a little grain. Not the glossy fruit and concentration of many 2005 Gevreys, but at a decent price this is worth buying.
Rebuy – Maybe

2004 Lignier-Michelot, Chambolle-Musigny Les Gammaires
Medium, medium-plus cherry-red colour. The nose is understated but shows good depth and there’s no ‘2004 character’. In the mouth it’s serious, with good mid-palate dimension and a good persistence of ripe flavour. Very nice – I bought some more.
Rebuy – Yes

2006 F et D Clair, Santenay
Medium cherry-red colour. A very nice width of high-toned fruit on the nose, slowly it takes on a clear red berry complexion. Good depth and a furry texture on the palate. The acidity is nicely balanced and the medium-weight flavours last very well. A six-pack offered for 93 Swiss francs is a bit of a bargain for a wine with such personality.
Rebuy – Yes

I rarely see a Philippe Charlopin, so it was a surprise (for me) to see this on the shelf of a French supermarket. Very tasty wine.
2006 Philippe Charlopin, Gevrey-Chambertin
Medium-plus colour. Slightly murky nose with a little vanilla and a faint mushroom – slowly fills out with deep and impressive primary red/black fruit to compliment the vanilla and eventually a little brioche. Some fat and plenty of mid-palate dimension. Balanced and long. This was both friendly and at the same time not a hint facile – I liked it very much
Rebuy – Yes

Hmm, that’s a very similar label!

What I find more interesting is, that given the development of prices in the last two vintages, this 06 villages costs the same as the 04 ‘Lachaux’ Clos St.Denis of yesterday. There can be only one winner at the same price-point and despite the high quality of this wine, it comes a very clear second to the 2004…
2006 Robert Arnoux, Nuits St.Georges
Medium, medium-plus colour. High-toned, little obvious oak, clear, jellified red and black fruits. This has a lovely silky texture. Behind is understated acidity and a nice length. Far from the depth and complexity of the 2004 and just a hint less ripe. At a decent price it’s a nice buy and a very elegant version of Nuits.
Rebuy – Yes

This wine does have the 2004 character, but it’s on a low, complex and interesting level. If Pascal made one of these in 2005 I’d certainly be looking for it – the raw material is super. On a negative note I’m never happy when a ‘négoce’ operation virtually uses the same labels as the domaine – these labels could easily be mistaken for the Domaine Robert Arnoux bottles despite no such reference.
2004 Pascal Lachaux, Clos St.Denis
A little more than medium colour. The nose starts deep and oaky, slowly the aromas widen to a panorama of creamy oak, understated cedar and eventually red berry fruit. In the mouth there’s sweet fruit, background ripe tannin and nicely lingering acidity – very well balanced – maybe the finish could be a little longer. This is very moreish and is drinking very well at the moment.
Rebuy – Yes