Mongeard-Mugneret were still bottling most of their 10’s so we worked our way through a few interesting bits and pieces from 08, 09 and got to preview one 2010.
2009 Pernand-Vergelesses ‘Les Vergelesses’ 1er Cru: I still maintain it is these types of wines that you want to buy in 09, where the natural rusticity of the vineyard is ironed out but still provides freshness. This wine has the vintage’s creamy notes with ripe fruits and some nice underlying meat and soot. There’s a touch of barrel derived coffee and the whole package is rather tasty.
2010 Vosne-Romanée ‘Les Orveaux’ 1er Cru: Great purity and delicacy. There’s plenty of mineral and delightful floral perfumes coupled with rich berry fruits. It is quite plush but with great delineation and cut. Absolutely delicious!
2009 Vosne-Romanée “Les Orveaux” 1er Cru: Doesn’t hold a candle to the 2010 IMNSHO, yummy but without the delineation. It is sweet, round and plump with nice fruits that are threaded lightly with aniseed. It has decent freshness despite the low acid feel.
2009 Vougeot ‘Les Cras’ 1er Cru: Very ripe with some prune and blackberry confiture. There are some notes of meat and moss and plenty of Christmas cake spice. There’s some cherry fruit freshness on the finish.
2008 Echézeaux: Very pretty and a welcome relief after a couple of heavier 09’s. The aroma is strewn with fresh and dried flowers and there’s a dash of hoisin. It is bright and lively with raspberry, cherry and pomegranate fruits and a strap of licorice. Whilst quite full and generous it still has excellent line and great mineral cut with plenty of structure to burn.
2008 Grands Echézeaux: There’s a strong scent of pine needle sap (perhaps oak derived) but it calms down and one is left with lilies and roses and some dark plum fruits. It is very fresh, very complex and very mineral, with flavours that are compact yet intense. There’s a hint of spice running through the palate and the finish is chewy, long and savoury.
Cheers
Jeremy