Wine Raconteur

Roland Thévenin - Monthélie - 2005

Score: 15/20
Nose of cut hay, green wood, elegant, kind of tight. Hint of rose petals, progressive tannins texture has a nice feel. Finish with good amount of minerals & cherries. However, lacks depth from beginning. overall tight but good balance.
It requires some cellar time like 5,6 years.

1) Domaine de la Vougeraie - Charmes Chambertin - Les Mazoyeres 2004


Score: 18.5/20 Concluded by my 5 element tasting method
Vivacious fruits of red currants, fig , strawberries jams. Rounded tannins showing the opulence quality. well defined minerals & tones of pepper. Finish is like a tail of peacock, colorful & youthful. Eager to see how it develops after 6 -8 years time.
The Mazoyere climat is about 18 hectares facing east from an elevation of 260m.

2) Camille Giroud - Latriciere-Chambertin 2006


Score: 16.25/20 Concluded by my 5 element tasting method.
Effortless power driven by the concentration of fruits, like, red currant, raspberries. an overtone of band-aid or pharmuetic appeared on back palate, a bit restraint. Finish is long & vibrant cherries notes, very focus.
The wine is from the 7.3 hectares of Grand cru,lies at the southen end of Gevrey Chambertin, at the border with Morey st. Denis. The soil is a crumbly mixture of clay & silt and limestone.

Charles Viénot - Hospices de Beaune - Corton - Grand Cru 2006


Score: 16.5/20 Concluded by my 5 element tasting method
Faint of wood on the nose, well positioned acidity brings good balance. revealing accent of new leather in mid palate and morello cherries. evolving into more earth. It is tight but got some backbones. Finish is bright but some viscosity. It will ease out in 3-5 years

Comté Armand - Clos des Epeneaux 1er cru - Pommard -2006


Score: 16.25/20 Concluded by my actual tasting notes.
Rustic, sheer minerals. bit shy at beginning. Tremendous amount of blackberries and spice in mid palate. Very firm tannins. Solid finish. Seems has a lot hiding. Wait for 5,6 years at least.
The 5 hectares of Clos Epeneaux is one of the greatest vineyard in Burgundy. For vinification purposes, the vineyard is separated into 4 different parcels, determined by the vine age( from 22 to 66 years)
The wine-maker is the young star, B. Leroux

J.F Mugnier - Nuits-St-Georges - Clos des Fourches 2006


Score: 13.5/20
Very ripe fruits suggest blackberries, figs, sweet clove, faint of licorice in mid palate. Not elegant, kind of bourgeois . Trace of oakiness. Tannins are there but very rough. Kind of dull on the finish.

Patrick Javillier - Savigny les Beaune - Les Serpentieres 2006


Score: 17.75/20 Concluded by my actual tasting notes
Dusty strawberries underneath the spring damp earth. Hidden minerals intermixing with roasted nuts. Flavors are smooth and complex. Finish with cherry tone & terroir driven aromas.
This 12 hectares of parcel is composed of rich brown clay soils. This domaine has only 0.7 hectare of vines and they 30 years old.
This Domaine is one of the most reliable producer in Burgundy.

Domain Gérard Mugneret - Vosne Romanée - 2006


Score 16.75/20 Concluded by my actual tasting notes.
Very focus raspberry, bright fruits. Hint of cherries. minerals, a dynamic finish with layers of subtleties.
Still pretty tight, needs more time.
This wine coming from a 2.58hectare parcel of old vines (50yrs) The soil is limestone with pebbles, well drained clay.

Domaine du Comté Ligner Belair - La Colombiere - Vosne Romanée


Breathtaking panoply of fruits, coffee beans, cedar, star anise. intense earth , dried flowers, hint of Vetiver. Super refine. Finish with clove, pepper. Sleek tannins provide the ability for the long haul. This wine gave real emotional impact.
This wine coming from the Domaine’s 0.78 hectare of parcel, old vines of 60-70 years of age. Limestone & pebbles soil.

Domaine Sylvain Cathiard - 1er cru Aux Reignots - Vosne Romanee 2004


Score: 18.25/20
Intoxicating earth, oakmoss, surrounded by minerals. impeccable balance of acidity. full of life & vigour. Truly brought me euphoria. Velvety density with lots of charm. Amber & Truffle earth subside on back of my palate. Finish is significant and surreal. Be patient, this wine will be a killer in 6-8 year time.
The Aux Reignots is a 1.62 hectare of premier cru, just uphill of La Romanee and Romane conti. elevation of 280-320m. well drained sandy soil , clay limestone mixture. Considered to be one of the greatest vineyard in Burgundy.

Domaine Comté Senard - SAVIGNY-LES-BEAUNE 1er Cru
Les Vergelesses - 2002 (blanc)


Score: 17/20 Concluded by my actual tasting notes.
Nose: aromas of stone fruits, dried flowers
Palate: (attack) herbal substances, earth/minerals (Mid-Palate) Parsley & white pepper as top note vibrating with citrus and linden. Base with some old oaks.
Texture: Crisp, brilliant crystal
Finish: Med to long with some spiciness at first and ginger astringency lingering.
Reminiscence: On one clear day, things can be seen so far & clear. The breeze brings the fresh grass smell.

Domaine Comté Senard - Corton Blanc - Grand Cru = 2004


Score: 16.5/20 Concluded by my actual tasting notes.
Nose: Intriguing nose of damp earth, minerals. Stream of stone fruits, lemon zest & grass.
Palate: (attack) well positioned bright acidity, rocky minerals (Mid-Palate) Sensational earthiness, dried roses, elegant yet persistent. Bright herbal tone like wintergrass. Truly astounding !
Texture: Crisp like crystal. So rounded no edges.
Finish: Lime rocks, jasmine stands out during the long lasting finsh.
Reminiscence: I m standing on the Alps in Swizterland in the Spring time.

1) Maison Lou Dumont - Mazis-Chambertin - 2005


Score: 16.5/20 Concluded by my actual tasting notes.
Nose: Enticing earthiness, whiff of bell pepper, a tone of Band-aid scent.
Palate: (attack) Leathery, brightness of cherries. (Mid-Palate) Wild mushroom combined with hint of patchouli. Good acidity, hint of rhubard emerging back of my palate. showing a lttle harsh tannins
Texture: Dry, like vacuuming my tongue. Character of austereness, very tanninic.
Finish: finish was smoother than I expected. hint of underbrush. Require some cellar time, lets taste it again in 6-8 years time.
Reminiscence: a Wealthy but stingy fellow.

Domaine Tortochot - Mazis-Chambertin - Grand Cru 2005

Score: 17.5/20 Concluded by my actual tasting notes.
Nose: hint of barnyard, whispers of dried herbs, rustic fruits, cranberries, cherries.
Palate: (attack) a tangy boysenberry teased the tongue. (Mid-palate) Dry, immense amount of tannins. It has a sturdy foundation with lots of fruits hiding behind it waiting to be unfolded. Surrounded by mineralities.
Texture: bright & fresh, got a good suction of tannins.
Finish: Bramble berries, good impact of fruits. very solid & long.

Domaine Tortochot - Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru - 2005


Score: 18.5/20 Concluded by my actual tasting notes.
Nose: intoxicating nose of cherries, dusty strawberries supporting by some forest earth. Minty & grassy.
Palate: (attack) Hitting with substantial power of fruits, bright but not flat (Mid-palate) impeccable balance, revealing some pomergrante, blueberries, progressively showing off great deal of depths. Layers of earth & wet stones. It hasn’t really show it all , it has a lot potential to become more complex, its nuances of subtleties will build up.
Texture: Grainy tannins, so rounded like a sphere.
Finish: Long & unforgettable. Clouds of sweetness surreptitiously clinging on back of my throat.
Reminiscence: It’s a mona lisa painting, the smile is magical.

Domaine Tortochot - Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Champeaux 2005

Score: 16.5/20 Concluded by my actual tasting notes.
Nose: It’s bit closed. picked up just hint of spice & cherries.
Palate: (attack) Still quite shy, mostly tangy fruits (Mid-palate) slowly developing some fresh herbs, some bright cherries notes. Seems still in a coma now. However, it has the potentials, 4-5 times from now.
Texture: Clean, solid. More acidity of tangy
Finish: Medium length, with some nice minerals, still tangy.

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.