Medium, medium-plus colour. Instantly deep, oak inflected nose – behind lies a red and black confit, spicily edged with ginger. Lovely mouthfeel, the entry is soft and the mid palate bursts into life. Silky smooth with juicy acidity, sweet, but not too sweet fruit and a lingering creamy note. The oak recedes and the quality of the fruit on the finish reminds me very much of a 1993… Very impressive.
2001
2001 Bichot Albert Vosne-Romanée
I’ve usually shied away from the Bichot wines, not sure why, I’ve rarely seen them reviewed, maybe it was a hangover of Anthony Hanson’s assessment in his book! Certainly the label is nice and attractive but what about the wine? Medium, medium-plus cherry-red. The high-toned nose instantly betrays a little toasty oak but then it’s gone leaving predominantly red fruit with a little white pepper. Fresh palate with sufficiently intense red fruit for the appellation and much finer tannins than the Chevigny V-R that follows it. Super acidity and creamy length. Not as robust as the Chevigny and perhaps not quite as concentrated but there’s a really lovely mouthfeel here. Obviously quite young but pure and not obviously oaky either. Next time the co-op has a sale I will certainly buy a few more – a success – maybe I should arrange a visit!
2001 Fevre William Chablis Champs Royaux
2001 Confuron-Cotetidot Chambolle-Musigny
2001 Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet
2001 Comte Liger-Belair Vosne-Romanée Clos du Château
Similar depth of colour to the La Columbière. The nose doesn’t shout so loud, but there’s lovely depth to the fruit and a slightly more spicy aspect. The palate is a little silkier, not particularly high acidity but there’s balance and the finish is still mouthwatering. This is a very tasty wine that reminds Louis-Michel of Chambolle.
2001 Confuron-Cotetidot Gevrey-Chambertin
2001 Colombier Chablis
2001 Fourrier Chambolle-Musigny Vieilles Vignes
Drank this one directly after Gambal’s Chambolle 1er Gruenchers of the same vintage. Slightly deeper and younger colour than the 1er Cru. The nose has more intensity and a dried fruit aspect to the intense red fruits, perhaps the high tones on the nose are slightly soapy. Instantly more demonstrative than the Gruenchers, but less impact on the mid-palate. Good length that’s helped by the acidity. This is a really super villages – certainly not overshadowed by ther 1er Cru – but then it costs the same…