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2015 Benjamin Leroux Bourgogne - France, Burgundy, Bourgogne
Decent but not great. It had a rather decent nose - sweet dark cherries, earth, bramble, a bit of spice. The palate was soft. Cherries again, rather fruit-forward, but simple, even slightly watery past midpalate. Pleasant enough though, with a dried earth finish, little sprigs of bramble and a little bittersweet woody finish. Okay, but not one I would seek out in a hurry. (88 pts.) -
2016 Domaine Berthaut-Gerbet Vosne-Romanée - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée
What a lovely little Vosne village. A touch reductive on the nose at first. Underneath that though, there were nice notes of dark cherries and plums, earth and fragrant wood spice, even a touch of violets at the side and a hint of oak that spoke to the wine’s youth. There was a really nice shape on the palate, with velevty tannins and bright acidity framing a surprising deep mouthful of dark cherries and sour plum powder, all this laced with a nice
of spice and a hint of violet petals. There was a lovely sense of polish and finesse on this, with an effortless balance and elegant shape that made it really a joy to drink even in its youth. A really complete village. Excellent now, but with the structure to hold very nicely. (92 pts.)
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2012 Domaine Robert Arnoux / Arnoux-Lachaux Vosne-Romanée Les Hautes-Maizières - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée
A decent village. The nose was a touch quieter than the other Vosne village on the table, but very attractive, with notes of crushed violets, black cherries, and hints of earth and wood spice. Very nice. The palate had a nice sense of shape and structure to it, with fine-boned tannins and chewy acidity forming a solid backdrop for a ripe, but also clean, pure expression of dark cherries patted down with a good bit of spice, earth and a trail of bittersweet bramble drifting away into a lingering finish. Not the strongest, deepest, nor the longest - it just felt a touch hollow past the midpalate. Otherwise, fairly decent. Should get better over the next 5-6 years. (90 pts.) -
2015 Domaine A.-F. Gros Vosne-Romanée Aux Réas - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée
Deep nose, seep draws of dark cherries and red berries, earth, a hint of Vosne spice. Rather perfumed, and quite nice, if just a touch in-your-face. The palate was clearly made in a more extracted style, but was still quite pleasurable, with ripe notes of black cherries and berries playing against a backdrop of earth, meat and spice. Tannins were soft, but there was still a seam of bright acidity running through it. Really nice clarity, and with a nice clarity to boot. The finish left a bit to be desired though - a tad short, drifting away with a touch of bitter wordiness, but really quite a nice village. A very enjoyable wine to drink. (91 pts.) -
2011 Sylvain Cathiard Vosne-Romanée - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée
A really solid village, still a bit shut, but this was a very pleasant drink even now. I liked the nose, pure Cathiard, with deep wafts of dark cherries and berries, a touch of earth, and a drift of violets and spice. Nice. The palate was not quite as generous though. Here, sappy notes of dark cherries were met with bits of earth and spice. Full and rather intense for a village, with a good length and breadth to it, but a touch austere, especially towards the structure finish, where woody tannins were kissed by a of wood spice. Surprisingly backward for a 2011. That threw the wine off a bit, but otherwise a very solid, impressive showing. Will get better in a few years. (91 pts.)
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2017 Ballot-Millot & Fils Meursault Les Narvaux - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault
A lovely young Meursault. The nose was a mix of sweet tropical notes - think pineapple and really ripe apples - along with a lilt of florals and a shade of chalky mineral. Very pretty. The palate had a lovely balance and focus to it all, with nicely integrated acidity tracing its way through clear, pure flavours of white fruit lines with a sweeter tropical undertone, this chased by a brighter lemony citrus tone. The finish had a little mineral kiss, all wrapped in a certain Meursault creaminess. Still primary and rather tight, but this was a pleasure to drink nonetheless, with a nice tension and definition throughout. I liked this, but it could do with a few years in the bottle yet. (92 pts.)
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