By: Philip Robert
96 Drouhin Musigny – This was initially tight like most of the very structured 96s but fleshed out over the course of the evening. This wine had lovely cherry fruit with a touch of strawberry and mushroom earthiness. Not a spectacular showing so I am on the fence about how this develops.
79 Domaine de Chevalier – My first time having a wine from this Chateau. Still had lots of black toned fruits available on the palate, with signature Graves slate and minerality. A fun and intellectual wine that still delivered on the palate.
70 Latour – What a beautiful classy wine. A pretty Pauillac with loads of leather, espresso, pencil lead and a soft silky and smooth finish. Just a sexy bottle of juice.
94 Jaboulet Cornas – Was itching to try this wine as I am a huge Jaboulet fan. Served blind I got a wide range of responses, but most everyone picked up on the meaty bloody iron component that was telltale syrah. I loved how expressive this was on the nose and it followed through with a gorgeous palate of black raspberry and plum. So fun to drink these mature wines blind and this one delivered.
07 Termanthia – My first time trying this wine. A bit out of my wheelhouse. Big thick and rich, a little too much of everything. I can see people being a fan of this as it had tons of fruit and structure.
07 Numanthia – Same as above.
08 Thibault Liger Belair Aloxe Corton “Toppe aux Vert” – I am a huge fan of this producer and his 08 wines are nothing less than stunning. For a premier cru wine this delivers far above its pay grade. Loads of black tea, black cherry and Asian spices dominate. This is the kind of burgundy I can enjoy drinking day in and day out.
98 Dugat Py Chambertin – Classily and distinctly Chambertin. It has a texture and flavor profile that is easily identified as Chambertin. Lovely black tea notes again with a little mushroom and forest floor with deep dark cherry fruit that is silky in texture and so linear on the palate. I know Dugat gets a rap for making some larger scaled wines and this was not shy, but this had all the stuffing to go another 30 years. Would love to try this again in 10!