I was behind the bar fervently updating our Burgundy inventory for a client last Wednesday when AJ handed me a glass. I took a quick sniff and I was hooked. This wine showed aromatic herbs, Asian spice, and subtle incense with a core of ripe cassis and blackcurrant fruit. In the mouth, this showed more finesse than I expected. The wine was so expressive and intense on the nose that I think I expected a wine that was opulent and dense. Flavors of sweet blackberry, cassis flavors, toast, and espresso notes were likewise more pronounced on the palate with the herbal edge taking a back seat. Nice, succulent finish packed berries and espresso nuances. I thought it was a 2003 Pichon Lalande but needless to say, I don’t really know what I’m talking about… this wine was a 1985 Chateau Mouton. This was off-the-charts on the nose!
Shamed and broken, I reached for the bottle of 2000 Dugat-PY Charmes Chambertin that Simon just opened for Bob Cook, proprietor of Dancing Hares Vineyards, who was in town to show us his 2009 releases and poured a healthy one for me. Right out of the bottle, this wine opened with smoky plums, black cherries, and spice. On the palate, this was a well-structured Burgundy; sappy with impressive flavor depth and balance. Yummy spice! The structural components and the balance suggest longer life ahead but why wait? I liked the wine just fine now.