02. History: The Long View
The history of ‘Burgundy’ is not just about the people who decided where to clear the land and what they should plant, it is equally about why the land should be so suited to the product of their labours. Hence, we can subdivide our history of Burgundy into two categories;… Read More
Profile: Domaine Armand Rousseau (Gevrey)
Armand RousseauIt has been said that if you want the safest route to a fine bottle of Chambertin, or Chambertin Clos de Bèze, then make sure that the label says… Domaine Armand Rousseau Since 1909 the Rousseau family have been based in one of the oldest buildings… Read More
Profile: Domaine Robert Arnoux (Vosne)
Sandwiched between the vineyards of Vougeot and Nuits you might expect a vineyard to produce a rather rustic and concentrated wine, one to make the hairs on your chest curl – if you have them… It’s interesting then that this is the home of the most fabulously expensive… Read More
Round-up of wines tasted
No slurping and spitting; these wines were really drunk and predominantly at home with food and friends between November 2004 and March 2005. I started 2005 with a few 1999 Vosne 1ers – usually very good, occasionally fabulous. Plenty of 2002’s that are very nice, but aren’t quite so… Read More
Profile: Maison Albert Bichot (Beaune)
Quick question – can you name the 8th Grand Cru of Chablis? – Sorry, you took too long to answer, but don’t worry, that and the answer to many other questions will become clear as you continue… Maison Albert Bichot is perhaps the sleeper of the large Beaune negociants… Read More
1999 Drouhin Joseph Vosne-Romanée Les Petits Monts
Medium-plus cherry-red colour. The nose starts deep and a little oaky. Given time the oak is replaced by a classic Vosne spice and eventually sweet cappuccino. The palate is first-class, silky, very round, real fat and tight though lovely and complex if slightly backward fruit. Nice acidity helps lengthen the… Read in the Note Finder
A Vintage Viewpoint
2004 Producer, producer, producer. You hear it often enough but it will be crucial in 2004 – at least for the reds – here the vintage was much more challenging and is likely to be anything but homogeneous. The grapes had excellent acidity and ripeness but triage was the… Read More
Thursday: I’d Walk a Mile For a Camus.
Thursday was jammed packed with good stuff. We harvested grapes in Pommard just above “Les Charmots” and then in the afternoon just over line in Beaune. This was another picture perfect day with cool, dry weather and sunshine and clouds. The weather for harvest is perfect. Like I’ve said before,… Read More
Wednesday…Gevrey Body Wants Some…
Sorry for the corny title, but that’s what happens after picking a few grapes and tasting some wine, especially Gevrey-Chambertin. Today started with a little work in the vineyards of Beaune followed by a day being a tourist. We checked out the Hospice de Beaune, Clos Vougeot, & the Market… Read More