Les Grands Bourgogne Mythiques 2.0

Tasting Report from the Oenoschool "Les Grands Bourgogne Mythiques" tasting, 3 February 2015: one of the finest tastings of the year!

Vincent Dauvissat Chablis 1er cru Forest 2009 A robe with a colour between straw yellow and gold, of sustained intensity with green reflections. The nose is reminiscent of yellow fruits, anise and, more lightly, honey and mushrooms. On the palate, the attack is unctuous and the alcohol fairly perceptible even if the acidity is well present. A less expressive aromatic profile on the palate than on the nose. Very fine potential. To be waited upon...

Bonneau du Martray Corton Charlemagne 2002 The pale yellow robe with golden reflections is less sustained than the previous one. A few green reflections are still perceptible. On the nose, one finds aromas of citrus zest, anise, light vanilla/toasted notes, honey and a few more perceptible notes of evolution such as mushroom. With a very fine volume over a sustained and particularly well-integrated acidity, the palate is coherent with the nose and delivers a great length.

Coche Dury Meursault 1er Cru Caillerets 2001 The robe is a deep, relatively intense old gold colour. One perceives notes of rather rancid butter, smoke, toast, burnt notes, apricot and hazelnuts. A beautiful attack on the palate with yellow fruits and notes that confirm the evolution such as honey, dried fruits and a few light oxidative notes. This magnificently balanced wine stretches across a fantastic length.

Intruder Wine! Daniel Barraud Pouilly Fuissé "En Buland" 2012 The robe is pale yellow with green reflections and the nose, of low intensity, reveals notes that are at once of white fruits and lightly oaked. On the palate, the volume is generous and well balanced by a sustained acidity over a remarkable length. A wine that does not blush too much behind its predecessor!

Coche Dury Monthélie 2002 A lightly intense ruby colour with a few tawny reflections. The nose delivers notes of smoke, morello cherries, flowers, smoked bacon and cocoa. On the palate, the tangy fruit is vivid and generous. The acidity is well sustained on a rather narrow palate with a fairly short finish. A very fine achievement for a minor appellation.

Comte Armand Volnay Fremiets 1999 An intense ruby robe with slightly tawny reflections. The nose reveals aromas of well-ripened fruits, undergrowth, morello cherry, earth and toast. On the palate, the tannins are marked and rather rustic but well integrated within an important concentration and a reasonable acidity. The length is remarkable. A wine that can be waited upon even if the tannins seem to resist the passage of time...

Thibault Liger Belair Corton Renardes 2007 The robe is ruby in colour, less intense than the previous one but with more tawny reflections. The nose is animal, meaty and smoky with a few floral notes. The palate is suave, with a fine balance and tannins of great elegance. A sensual Corton opposing a generous palate to a more virile nose, more typical of the appellation…

Meo Camuzet Clos de Vougeot 2007 An intense ruby robe with slightly more tawny reflections. The nose, very elegant and floral, reveals aromas of tangy red fruits, cocoa and blood orange. Less cohesive on the palate, the wine reveals tannins and an acidity that are still dissociated. To be waited upon…

Hubert Lignier Charmes Chambertin 2009 A moderately intense ruby colour. On the nose, one finds red fruits along with milky and floral notes still held in reserve. The palate, superbly harmonious, even if it remains fairly discreet, reveals a beautiful fruit maturity without excess, despite a very sunny vintage. A fine wine in the making.

Domaine de la Romanée Conti Echezeaux 1998 The robe is cloudy, matte and evolved. The nose reveals toasted notes, aromas of earth, leather, gentle spices and infusion, then a few prune notes. The palate is suave on cooked fruits. Despite the age of this wine, the tannins are rather marked and the length honest, yet the wine appears to be entering its decline. A slight disappointment...