Wine Raconteur

Domaine Jo Pithon - Anjou - Les Pepinieres 2005

Score: 17/20 Concluded by my actual tasting note.
Nose: It says Hello! powerful aromas honey and tropical fruits.
Palate: (attack) apple & melon, a bit austere (Mid) mineral with spice mingling with very solid fruits, whiff of wild berries slowly expending back of my palate.
Finish: Persistent & memorable.
Some special fruits coming from a 4-hectare vineyard called les Pepinieres. Its a southfacing slopes full of Carboniferous soil.
Reminiscence: fall season, leaves turning colors, in a cold evening, I pulled over by a curvy windy canyon road side, watching over the traffic were slow downed by the thickening fog.
Music to pair: Moonlight in Vermont sung by Ella Fitzgerald

My little comments: Soil does helps the fruits when plants are farmed organically or Biodynamically.

Domaine Jo Pithon - Savennieres - La Croix Picot - 2006

Score: 16.5/20 Concluded by my actual tasting note.
Nose: Its a bit closed. Hint of peach & rocky minerals
Palate: (attack) nice touch of pineapple & citrus (Mid) Expensive fruits hit very corner of my palate. Very intriguing bright stone fruits. well positioned acidity.
Finish: Long. Mineral subtleties mingling.
Story: Its fruits from a 1.5 hectare of sandstone schist soil. High on the slopes overlooking the Loire.

Jean-Claude Boisset - Bourgogne Blanc 2005

Score: 11.5/20 Concluded by my actual tasting note.
Nose: Quite closed. Woodsy and faint of melon.
Palate: (attack) green apple & Melon (Mid) lacks layers, simple, straight forward.
Finish: short & dull.

Jean-Noel Gagnard - Hautes-Cotes de Beaune - Sous Eguisons 2006


Score: 19.5/20 Concluded by my actual tasting note.
Nose: Very mineral, grassy. very inviting. Elegant herbs unfolding.
Palate: (attack) very floral & white tea flavors (Mid) Pear intermixed with Jasmine is intoxicating…back of my palate revealing trace of root herbs. White pepper underneath.
Finish: Impressive subtleties. Pear & hawthorns are lingering.
Little comments: It is truly a surprise to me tasting such a high quality wine from Hautes-cotes de Beaune. So, I decided to give it an extra point.
The fruits come from a 0.414 hectares of land, mainly covered with limestone rubble.

Domaine Patrick Javillier - Bourgogne - Cuvée des Forgets - 2006


Score: 17.25/20 Concluded by my actual tasting note.
Nose: Soft progressive aromas unfolding apple, mushroom & wood.
Palate: (attack) tartness of apple, quite tight (Mid) great minerals supporting the fruits, whiff of jalapenos. Good deals of subtleties need time to unfold
Finish: Long, mineral & floral.
Story: Cuvee des Forgets is a blend of several parcels from within the commune of Meursault. Each parcel was separately vinified and then carefully evaluates the élevage of the individual cask before assembling the final blend.
Music to pair: Cello suite by Bach or Round midnight (the version of Mel Tormé)

Domaine Olivier Merlin - Pouilly Fuissé - clos des Quarts 2006


Score: 16/20 Concluded by my actual tasting note.
Nose: a bit tight. hint of apricot, quince.
Palate: (attack) This wine is not shy on the palate. it has some fat to it. (Mid) very solid, with good amount of sugar. Trace of walnut and dried raisins. Overall a good wine however, there is something missing.
Texture: has a fine sandy texture to it. Which give it a very nice mouth feel. This wine still has a lot of room to develop.
Finish: the ripeness of the fruits lingering thru with some citrus zest & mineral leading the way.
Story: This wine is coming from a steep vineyard with clay-limestone soil facing southeast at an altitude of 230 meters.
Music to pair: A little “Trout” quartet by Schubert be nice !

Domaine M. Lafarge -Meursault - Vendanges Sélectionnées 2006
Biodynamic farming.


Score: 16.25/20 Concluded by my actual tasting note.
Nose: Tight at first but quickly opened up. showing some orange peel, layers of cut hay.
Palate: (attack) very crisp (Mid) lacks posture & details, some grass, woodsy mingling. main core of pear stays very nicely. It might take few more years before it gets better.
Finish: Fall a lttle short for a Meursault and …the price.

Domaine P. Javillier - Meursault - Les Cousots 2006


Score: 18.5/20 Concluded by my actual tasting note.
Nose: Great definition, suggesting earth, stone fruits. very pronouncing.
Palate: (attack) powerful that you feel there is a lot coming. (Mid) Nut, pear, tangerine, stone fruits explode at once. back side of my palate stimulated by the gentle tangy raspberries. It is weighty but given a great structure.
Texture: Fine & crisp. very refine & smooth.
Finish: Very satisfying , with great deal of density. Not only the posh of the substantial fruits are sticking but traces of earths & minerals are lingering too.
Story: May be Patrick Javillier is just a genius. All his wines that I tasted were very consistent even in some of those difficult years.
This Les Clousots is a blend from the 18hectares of Les clous & the 4.6 hectares of Les Crotots. Each vinified in separate cask before final assembling. He also applied extended lees contact.

Jean Noel Gagnard - Chassagne Montrachet - Les Chaumes 1er cru 2006


Score: 18.5/20 Concluded by my actual tasting note.
Nose: Seductive earth, cherries & bell peppers
Palate: (attack) apple & Mushroom (Mid) Complex layers of fruits, green wood mixed wet earth, felt like in a forest.
Texture: every muscle built in the right place. Its lean but good tones on the body.
Finish: with great minerals sparkling along with the ripe apple and bell pepper. Charming & persisting
Reminiscence: Rainy season lost in a forest. Lots of damp green, lost my way out.
Music to pair: Sei Sonate: Larghetto, Andante Largo Op.3 by Paganini Or George Winston’s Night pt.3
Story: Well, it’s Caroline Estimé, one of my favorite producers. This climat, Les Chaumes, consisting 7 hectares, stony soil of clay & limestone. Gagnard only owns 0.59 hectare from it with an annual production of 370 case roughly.

Benjamin Leroux - Auxey-Duresses Blanc 2007
Biodynamic Farming

Score: 17/20 Concluded by my actual tasting note.
The talented Mr. Leroux has been my favorite recently. All wines are very consistent. He applies strictly Biodynamic methods. He also makes wine for Comté Armand. Again, anyone who respect the soil with Biodynamic farming, I wouldn’t call him a winemaker, he is a wine guardian. Here is a picture of him below.

Domaine Ponsot - Griottes Chambertin

Total Score : 17.50/20 concluded by my actual tasting notes above/below.
Details:
Nose: Plum mix with Clove, evolving dry earth, white pepper.
Palate: (attack) Intriguing sweet herbs, cherry, bright & rustic.
(mid-Palate) It evolved more concentrated fruits. Very supple. Enticing dry leaves with cherry & logenberry notes.
Texture: Still very tanninic, bit astringent yet forceful & posh. Feel relatively young.
Finish: Long but lacked persistence.
Reminiscence: Myself in a plane gliding smoothly, effortlessly in the sky. What a joy ride!
Music to pair with: Rêves by Ravel; Come fly with me by Sinatra.

Domaine Ponsot - Clos de la Roche - V.V.

Total Score : 15.50/20 rconcluded by my actual tasting notes above/below.
Details:
Nose: Very outgoing,delightful sweet ripe fruits with layers of nutmeg & bilberries.
Palate: (attacks) Complex flamboyant start. (mid-palate) Red currant, bing cherries,underspinning of pepper. Very good grip, multiple layers, like fireworks in 4th of July.
Texture: quite glycerine, smooth & thick.
Finish: a little disappointed on the short finish
Reminiscence: Like driving a Maserati, lots of juice but lack of torque on 4th & 5th gear. Suspension less than expected.
Music to pair with: Spring Concerto # 1 e Major by Vivaldi

Domaine Dujac - Clos St. Denis

Total Score : 17/20 concluded by my actual tasting notes above/below.
Details:
Nose: Very floral at first, under tone of pepper, base notes are red fruits suggesting plums, strawberries & peach.
Palate: (attack) Luscious fruits, bramble berries & dried plums. (mid-palate) ripe fruits very showy. Surprisingly good amount of acidity. A touch of dried flowers nuances.
Texture: Opulent, immense density. Still need time to develop.
Finish: Lingering with lots of subtleties.
Reminiscence: I m sitting on the cliff facing the ocean at sunset with
beautiful colors of red, blue & orange saturated the sky.
Music to pair: Concerto Grosso in G Minor by Corelli

J F. Mugnier - Musigny

Total Score : 15/20 concluded by my actual tasting notes above/below.
Details:
Nose: Show promising ripe fruits. Hint of wood with pepper.
Palate: (attack) Lacks strength, a bit austere. (mid-palate) Not too well balance in terms of sugar & acidity. Raspberry, nutty flavors.
Texture: too transparent, lack of grip overall.
Finish: Solid fruits with medium length, lack of depth.

Comté Vogue - Musigny

Total Score : 16/20 concluded by my actual tasting notes above/below.
Details:
Nose: Not a pronouncing nose, austere & rustic with no definition. Quite close.
Palate: (attack) Hints of earth, kinda shy, nice core of mineral though. (mid-palate) Solid structure, revealing more fruits such as figs, plums, mulberries. A faint of roasted almond around it.
Texture: Not totally rounded yet. time might soften the edges from the acidity.
Finish: This wine has a peacock tail finish. Persistent fruits, totally make up from the dull start.
Reminiscence: In a Zoo walking with the peacocks in a close range waiting with my camera.
Music to pair: Finale from St. Paul’s Suite Op.29 by Gustav Holst.

George Lignier et Fils - Bonnes Mares

Total Score : 17/20 concluded by my actual tasting notes above/below.
Details:
Nose: Freshy raspberries, very energetic, lots of life for a 18 yrs old wine. Whiff of white pepper, cherries, dusty strawberries.
Palate: (attack) Bramble berries with rustic cherry tone. (mid-palate) Terroir type of earth echoing a mind numbing rose petals. Very complex. Evolving sage & mineralities.
Texture: Very focus, firm but not stubborn. I love the sturdy tannin structure behind it.
Finish: Pruney, yet elegant. Exotic perfume notes, lasting licorice & roses.
Reminiscence: Imagine myself sitting on a cloud with sun shinning on my face. When I look down, rain are drizzling to earth.
Music to pair: Petite suite, Un Bateau by Debussy.

Domaine Leroy - Les Beaux Monts - Vosne Romanee

Total Score : 19.25/20 concluded by my actual tasting notes above/below.
Details:
Nose: The nose reminds me of the Clos St. Denis. Earthy base note with expressive floral, underbush. Dynamic fruits. Ripe plum & dried herbs. I know this wine has a pedigree.
Palate: (attack) Rustic strawberries. High note of spice. Very elegant. (mid-palate) Sweet plum, strawberries, rolling out wet earth & sage. Truly complex.
Texture: Velvety tannins, earthy with some astringency at the end. Sturdy with impossible balance. Very Charming!
Finish: Very long, brought me rapture. Not only lasting finish but keep on evolving for next couple mins.
Reminiscence: Watching a man walking on wire between the late Twin towers. He is on top of the world. Impossible balance.
Music to pair: Symphony No.7, Op.92 II Allegretto by Beethoven.

Domaine E. Rouget - Echezeaux

Total Score : 20/20 concluded by my actual tasting notes above/below.
Details:
Nose: Unbelievable nose. Complex & vibrant. Truffles, dried flowers top notes. Oakmoss , rustic bergamont in the core. Slowly evolving Eucalyptus, wild strawberries and Vetiver.
Palate: (attack) Electrifying attack all the way to mid palate. Cherries & dried herbs, very dynamic. (mid-palate) Raspberries, morello cherries with a tone of almonds. Vetiver essence, very earthy. Absolutely drop dead gorgeous !
Texture: Tannins as fine as # 500 sand paper. Impressive structure with impeccable balance between acidity & Tannins
Finish: For the next 20 mins. from leaving the tasting room to dinner, the finish never gone away. Layers after layers. Unforgettable.
Reminiscence: An euphoric transcendent state. The sensation brought me to heaven.
Music to pair: Canon in D major by Pachelbel. Or Cavalleria Rusticana - Intermezzo by P. Mascagni

Domaine A. Burguet - Gevrey Chambertin - V.V.

Total Score : 14.5/20 rconcluded by my actual tasting notes above/below.
Details:
Nose: Mushroom, austere earthy.
Palate: (attack) Substantial cherries & red currant. (mid-palate) Dusty cherries, hint of earth. Complex
Texture: Very refine subtle Tannins
Finish: Lingering bitter ripe fruits & oakmoss.
Reminiscence: I m lost in a forest in a foggy spring.
Music to pair: Gnossienne 1 by Satie

Louis Jadot - Ruchottes Chambertin

Total Score : 18.5/20 concluded by my actual tasting notes above/below.
Details:
Nose: Dusty strawberries as top notes. Intoxicating root herbs with dried flower as the main core.
Palate: (attack) Red fruits are not shy at all. (mid-palate) Friendly tannins with kaleidoscope of red fruits. Muscular yet elegant. Echoing scandelwood & truffle earth.
Texture: Well tuned. Super fine Tannins.
Finish: Goes on and on. Impressive multi layers of chestnut, cherries and toasted coffee beans.
Reminiscence: Nicole Kidman dresses up like Cleopatra
Music to pair: Caruso by Lucio Dalla

Domaine H. Gouges - Les St. George - Nuit St. George

Total Score : 13.5/20 concluded by my actual tasting notes above/below.
Details:
Nose: Mountain wild berries, kinda dusty earthy. touch of exotic tropical fruits, good vibrancy.
Palate: (attack) Very bright powerful red fruits (mid-palate) Nice layers of strawberries & Pomergrante. Under tone of crush rock minerals.
Texture: very rounded, no harsh edges at all.
Finish: Decent finish but not memorable
Reminiscence: An immature teenager, happy with great personality.
Music to pair: Magic Flute by Mozart

Domaine de Montille - Les Pezerolles - Pommard

Total Score : 14.25/20 concluded by my actual tasting notes above/below.
Details:
Nose: Earthy, bergamont, kind of tight, hiding some oak behind.
Palate: (attack) Seems shy, green wood & stone fruits. good acidity (mid-palate) Doesn’t change much, pretty stubborn, some elegant touch to it.
Texture: Smooth with grainy texture.
Finish: medium plus finish. wasn’t complex. a bit lazy. Might need more time to find its way. I love the bright tone acidity.