99` Serafin Charmes-Chambertin and 97`Drouhin Clos des Mouches

These 2 wines were drunk in order at a recent meal:

1999 DOMAINE SERAFIN PERES FILS & CHARMES-CHAMBERTIN GRAND CRU- in a blind tasting, I’d be hard put not to call this a Burt Williams made Williams Selyem Pinot Noir from the 90s; in fact, I’d even go so far as to call it a 93` from Allen Vineyard as it had so many of the notes I attribute to those bottles which includes the cinnamon red color and the spicy and cinnamon accents that join in with delicious red raspberry and strawberry fruit; this also was medium to full bodied and finished like it started with all of the above aromas, taste and feel components in tack.

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1997 JOSEPH DROUHIN CLOS des MOUCHES BEAUNE 1er Cru- my assumption before going in to either wine was that this one would be a “weak” sister, lighter and milder and perhaps even a shadow of the 99` Serafin Charmes and nothing could be further from what happened; this was rich and full bodied with lots of depth and layered complexity; the fruit profile consisted of mature dark fruit with black cherry and blackberry most prominent; even the color was a darker ruby; it had more weight and smooth texture; basically, this was a nice example of some power and some finesse all the while maintaining perfect balance; lovely wine.

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If it had been up to me to place these in line prior to tasting, I would have reversed them, but after drinking each, it turns out to be the perfect, crescendoing order.



Cheers,
Blake

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Really love the way you explain the thoughtful dichotomy between these two, Blake. Like you, I’d have probably thought to serve them in reverse order, but (as is seemingly always the case in Burgundy) the wines play with one’s expectations…

I actually would have had hope hopes for the 97 Beaue Clos de Mouches precisely because I’d be hoping for the layers of complexity amidst the primary colors. And I am so glad your run continues and it was such a triumph. Envious of that mixture of primary fruit and complexity.

I’ve long been a Serafin Charmes fan. Nice Gevrey VV also.

Serafin can be fairly oaky, but with the Charmes it seems to work beautifully.

Good point John and I was surprised to find no discernible oak influence in this one although one would assume it’s pretty well integrated now and certainly the cinnamon character comes from that influence.

Appreciate it Nickman.