Good evening all,
TN from CT below. I am posting this in particular to call attention to the fact that this is one of those rare vintages where I feel like a lot of the cream and detail of maturity are showing in this early stage. Therefore, for those who are worried about premox (as I think we all are to some extent), while this is not the same as drinking 15 year old white burgundy- it gets far closer than usual for a wine still in the safe zone of 5 years after release.
good bright young lemon color, on the nose lush and joyous, lemongrass, orange notes, a bit of cream already, apples, beeswax, on the palate a forward and luscious beauty- this is Beaune Clos des Mouches in full sail, it has the creamy and sunny presence of a 2014 but like a 2001 is also showing quite a bit of mineral and saline detail, the apple notes are very distinct this year, as are the orange tones, that slight caramel or burnt coffee note that is peculiar to this wine is present in measure appropriate to the scale of the wine, after recent notes for the quite fine, but also somewhat exaggerated, 2009 and 2010 vintages- this is a refreshing return to a more classic presentation with a little bit of everything- and all of it far more digitally defined and observable than is customary in such a young vintage, as on the nose- cream tones are already developing on the palate, fine long fragrant finish bursting with honeysuckle and blood orange notes, the only slight distraction is a noticeable trace of heat on the finish at first, after a couple of hours as the wine comes together it is less prominent but still there in some measure, otherwise a very fine vintage for this wine- and in these days where premox is still a worry, this is also a vintage that you can drink very young and see far more of the detail and excitement that usually comes only with age, this will surely outlive the 2010 but I am not sure it has quite the decades-long potential of the 2009, a joyful and magnificent drink- one to enjoy often throughout what promises to be a very rewarding life.
()+?, now to 2037+, the ? mark is for the bit of heat on the finish, this is at least a 4 star wine in my book, but if that bit of heat is better integrated in time then this could become 4+ or 5 stars and one of the truly great vintages for one of Burgundy’s most unique and notable wines. But whatever may come, if you share my love of Drouhin Beaune Clos des Mouches- don’t miss the chance to enjoy a bottle or two of this now while you can see that rare display of youthful vigor combined with the subtle delights usually reserved for old age.