Stormin’ Norman gathered the troops in Melbourne last night to explore Griotte-Chambertin.
1996 Bollinger Champagne La Grande Année: A developed nose that shows some mushroom and tarte tatin. The palate is quite deep, concentrated and vinous. There are some bitter red fruits and the finish is long.
2006 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut: Complex aromatics of brioche, baked apple, honeysuckle and chalk. It is rich, layered, creamy and long. Classy Champagne that is drinking very nicely.
2006 Faiveley Corton-Charlemagne, Grand Cru: Notes of spearmint, ginger and white peach. It is rich, full-flavoured and sappy. Shape is good and fruits concentrate at its heart. Flavours linger for a long time. Outstanding white Burg.
2004 Morey-Blanc Corton-Charlemagne, Grand Cru: Came out of the gate a bit awkward, dominated by sulphur notes and a hint of volatility. Breathed up really well showing fresh florals and crisp orchard fruit aromas and flavours. It had good density and a long and fresh minerally finish.
2004 Faiveley Corton-Charlemagne, Grand Cru: A nose of two halves. Heady and ripe with sappy peach, then some nettle, slightly herbal things punch through. There’s a touch of menthol and almond butter too. It is rich and powerful with excellent depth and length.
2006 Domaine Rollin Père et Fils Corton-Charlemagne, Grand Cru: Completely oxidised.
2010 Louis Jadot Griotte-Chambertin, Grand Cru: Earthy, calm and even. It has a sweet core of jubey fruit. Balance and proportion are excellent and it is a really delicious drink.
2008 Domaine Ponsot Griotte-Chambertin, Grand Cru: This bottle showed too much coffee oxidation. There were some earthy and pine needle things and the vintage’s strong line of acidity.
2010 Domaine Marchand Freres Griotte-Chambertin, Grand Cru: An engaging nose of musk, meat and cherries. The palate is complex, rich and layered, with good depth of flavour and terrific build. Flavours really fan out on the finish.
2009 Domaine des Chezeaux Griotte-Chambertin, Grand Cru: Intense cherry fruit coupled with a Vitamin B note. The palate is deep and concentrated but still just a little firm with notable astringency to the back-end.
2010 Domaine Ponsot Griotte-Chambertin, Grand Cru: Some at the table found the V.A on this one a bit much. I loved the way it punched fresh cherry and berry aromas up into the nostrils. There was a highly perfumed violet scent too. With food this wine really came into its own. Showing a perfect balance of sweet and savoury flavours and great cut to the long finish.
2007 Domaine Marchand Freres Griotte-Chambertin, Grand Cru: Very savoury and meaty, with an almost salami smell to it. Mid-weight at best but balanced with a fine, earthy finish.
2014 Hubert Lignier Griotte-Chambertin, Grand Cru: Jube-like sweet red fruits coupled with earthy nuances. Very direct, back-lit by crunchy acidity. Good drive and balance. Delicious.
2016 Domaine des Chezeaux Griotte-Chambertin, Grand Cru: Deep of colour. Dark, penetrating flavours, loaded with black cherry and earth. Full, velvety, expansive and super-long. Needs a ton of time but quite brilliant.
2014 Domaine Ponsot Griotte-Chambertin, Grand Cru: Engaging nose of root vegetable, cherry rhubarb and dried flowers. Silky in the mouth, with excellent purity of fruit flavours. It really builds through the palate and fans out on the finish. Length and balance are outstanding.
1955 Cockburn Porto Vintage: There some mushroom, raisins and chocolate on the nose and in the mouth. It has quite a raw spirit and the palate a creamy feel. There’s some teak, leather and spice notes. It is just starting to dry out a tad, but is a thoroughly enjoyable Port, loaded with tertiary development characters.