2016 Daniel Rion Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Les Chaumes side by side with 2016 Daniel Rion Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts.
One of my favorite producers, seeing what their newest releases were like.
Tasted against Peter Michael 2016 Clos du Ciel and 2016 Domaine De La Cote “La Cote.”
We served them blind and people had to guess origin…not tough! Only two people missed any, and only one miss each.
The Les Chaume was classic structure and earth/tart-savory fruit, fabulous acidity and looong finish. The Beaux Monts was very similar, but I would give the slightest advantage to the Les Chaume. I like this winery’s style and they make wine that my brain says, “Ohhhh, yeah, Burgundy done right.”
The Peter Michael was more overtly California, but really subdued in terms of the “bright pinot” characteristics we see from many producers. Very complex, dark berries, and we all chatted about the types of faint notes I mentioned in the Williams Selyem tasting: fennel/anise, clove/all spice…all way in the back. really good balance with oak being present, but only as an enhancer, not a prominent/overt flavor.
The DLC was overtly oaky at first, almost too much so…but this faded through the evening and then wine came into great balance after about an hour of air after splash decanting. It seemed like a Cali wine trying to be French, which I mean in a good way. More sour cherry, but still in keeping with going for wines that were not too “pinot forward.” I will continue to toss this winery’s fine offerings into tasting to see if I ever catch anybody calling it French! I enjoy these wines a great deal. (This was the wine the two people guessed wrong on.)
All in all, all four wines improved when we started dinner…they are classic food wines. Fine to taste alone, but with a meal (we had racks of lamb, broccolini, cauliflower, saffron rice, and sauteed mushrooms…so an earth-food palate, as well. Classic matches and you can’t go wrong with any of the four!
Yay, may!!!