After a short spring break spent in the Big Apple, I was back to work last Friday and looking forward to a Graileys-style St. Patty’s celebration. The day started early with a 1994 Pichon Lalande shared around the table. This was a very elegant Lalande; perfectly enjoyable but somewhat lacking in flavor depth. Mature notes of cigar, smoke, cedar, with a fading plum and blackcurrant fruit. Soft tannins; mellow and smooth-textured with a touch of iron/metallic note on the medium finish.
Next up was a 2002 Louis Jadot Corton-Pougets that I decanted for Mary F an hour earlier. High-toned spicy red fruits, smoky, minerals and dried herbs defined the aromas. In the mouth, this was vibrant and focused with vivid acidity. Red currants and cherries on the tangy finish.
David E walked in next with a bottle of 2006 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Russian River Valley which was very primary dominated by darker Pinot fruit profile and toasty oak. Full-bodied, structured and dense on the palate. I thought this was showing a bit of heat on the nose initially which did blow off as the wine blossomed in the glass revealing baking spices, black cherries, raspberries and mocha with oxidation. Very New World PN.
As we allowed the Merry Edwards to sit in the glass, David E decided it was time to fish out a nice red Burgundy from his locker. I opened the 1999 Bitouzet-Prieur Volnay 1er Cru Pitures for him which was singing on the first pour. Intense bouquet of wild mushrooms, earth, meaty wrapped in ripe, sweet red fruits and spice. Well-structured marked by good concentration and opulence in the palate. Pitures is on the southern side of the commune of Volnay, closer to Pommard and I think the wine’s structure reveals that origin.
Simon decided it was time for a palate cleanser so we pulled the cork on a 1990 Ramonet Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot whose pronounced bouquet impressed everyone around the table. Beautiful, complex notes of toasty popcorn, caramel, poached pears, acacia, hazelnuts on the nose and palate. In the mouth this wine displayed tremendous depth and richness. Touch of smoky minerality added more complexity and freshness. Great succulence. Persistent and complex finish. My WOTN.
Louis R stopped by for a pre-dinner drink and decided to open and share a 2010 Peter Michael Les Pavots. This was definitely a baby but what was impressive about this wine was its very refined, well-integrated tannins. Great balance between fruit richness and oaky elements. Gobs of blackcurrant liqueur, blackberries, toasty oak and vanilla. There is no doubt that this wine has the balance and stuffing to improve with another 20 years of cellar time.