After an over the top indulging of great wines with Burt Williams at his wedding and dinner party, I did not feel like having any wine for a few days and that it would be good to re-hydrate and allow for liver R & R.
I figured the best way to break my fast is to drink Burgundy which is what the theme was for our lunch group 4 days later.
Our group enjoyed another over the top experience at the Santa Barbara Club in the private dining room provided for us. Along with quality service and timing, we had an exquisite menu to pair with our wines. The menu:
FIRST COURSE
Chestnut and Sunchoke Bisque
SECOND COURSE
Lamb Loin with Moroccan Spices, Eggplant, Tzatziki, couscous, cracker, mint and Harissa Emulson
THIRD COURSE
This course was a last minute add on and it varied from person to person with great options. [mine was wine]
CHEESE COURSE
Selection of Three Cheeses, Membrillo, fig marmalade, bread & Crackers
Dessert
Gateu Basquese
French Custard Torte, Black Cherries, Burgundy Syrup and Vanilla Ice Cream
The wines:
2004 LATOUR CORTON CHARLEMAGNE GRAND CRU- this had such a different profile all the way through, unlike any Latour CCs Ive had over a few decades; the nose was more flinty minerals which continued on joining with a hint of green apple with a real musty character coming in at the end; one aspect that was present and consistent with the other past CCs was the viscous texture, almost creamy like; overall, this bottle was such a different showing and as I recall, much different from other 04s from this producer.
2005 PHILIPPE COLIN les CHARMES VOSNE ROMANEE 1ER CRU- this really shined and in fact, became one of my favs of the day; it had the complete pleasing features that distinguishes a top quality wine from anything else; the nose is full of perfume, floral and fruit notes that are inviting one to come in for more and more it has; in a medium body, there is a concentrated fresh lemon lime extract being delivered in a liquid honey like texture; a touch of spice and hint of cinnamon accentuate the tastiness and the bright acidity assures longevity.
1996 DOMAINE MEO CAMUZET LES CHAUMES VOSNE ROMANEE 1ER CRU- the nose was one of those, “I wonder if anyone else is getting what I get”; at first I thought slightly corked, then slight Brettanomyces, then a little smoke; then, maybe I should just wait and see if it blows off questioning my parts per million perception on this day; when it was all said and done, there was definitely some funk but there was enough redeeming qualities to allow for this to be drunk, if only to be tasted; it had good plum, black currant, blueberry fruit with an earthy character and finished more on the dry side; as I was about to move on, one sitting nearby stated “corked”.
2003 DOMAINE ROBERT ARNOUX/ ARNOUX- LACHAUX AUX REIGNOTS VOSNE ROMANEE 1ER CRU- this was very fruity with an abundance of earthy cinnamon cranberry, black berry with other Syrah like spicy black pepper notes along with tart acidity and definitely a hint of Brett; this would be a tough pick for a name the varietal blind tasting; overall, I liked it; it was just way different from a red Burg profile.
2008 DOMAINE FERNAND LECHENEAUT CHAMBOLLE MUSIGNY 1ER CRU- the nose suggests a lot is forthcoming, but it only delivers part of the promise; the fruit is pretty tart black cherry, black currant and by mid palate is gets sort of puckery.
2002 DOMAINE JACQUES PRIEUR MUSIGNY GRAND CRU- this is class and quality at its highest extreme; it pleases in every aspect and merits WOTD status before even moving onalthough Im open for another to shine as well; with beautiful balance, it gives so much including the fruit profile of spicy strawberry, raspberry and red cherry; it smells great, tastes great, feels great and is great and for me, its what red Burgundy is all about and I`m happy not to be abstaining.
2001 DOMAINE PONSOT CLOS DE LA ROCHE CUVEE VIELLES VIGNES GRAND CRU- again, I get a bit of Brett in the nose, but it does deliver some nice dried cherry notes that have a copper, spice and light pepper accent in a medium body and firm tannins.
2007 DOMAINE LOUIS LATOUR CORTON GRAND CRU- this was so light and elegant and definitely on the feminine side of expression; light is the key word here as the color, fruit, body, texture and acidity are all on that side of the spectrum; it`s more than decent if one likes the strawberry and raspberry style of this end of Burgundy; it held steady and stayed even throughout and finished just as it started, pleasing, soft and easy and delicious.
1996 MAISON ROCHE de BELLENE LATRICIERES CHAMBERTIN GRAND CRU- it starts off with a major fruity aroma and everything that comes in afterwards makes a mild statement; there`s some nice spicy cranberry and decent acidity along with an OK mouthfeel and an overall OK experience.
1993 DOMAINE BACHELET les CORBEAUX GEVREY CHAMBERTIN GRAND CRU- this was a winner out of the gate; it was soft and luscious with really nice wild cherry/ berry joined by a touch of talc and vanilla which just glided over the palate; it had elegance and integrity and was showing so well; one of the best wines on the day.
1999 FREDERIC ESMONIN CLOS de BEZE CHAMBERTIN GRAND CRU- this was the first of 3 from this vintage from this producer and a really good wine; it was in perfect balance, round, seamless with depth and complexity; the color was a deep, dark rich purple and the nose had lots of dark cherry which came in even more so by mid palate; it was clean and pure, bright and sophisticated; lovely is the one word descriptor.
1999 FREDERIC ESMONIN RUCHOTTES CHAMBERTIN GRAND CRU- this also had a very youthful color and the nose is so exemplary of what follows; there`s some toasty wonderful red and black cherry and black currant all receiving an topping of chocolate; this had a medium to full body and great length.
1999 FREDERIC ESMONIN CHAMBERTIN GRAND CRU- the first 2 were stars in this lineup as this was much less an expression of the magnificence they possessed; the nose was deceivingly big and inviting just as the others, but this faded out more than a tad; I got some cinnamon, smoke and a mild black fruit profile along with some pretty still tannins.
2002 S.R. HUET VITICULTEUR CUVEE CONSTANCE MOELLEUX VOUVRAY- our Prince of Sweets delivered again as always with this scrumptious dessert wine; bracing acidity; honeyed citrus and kiwi nectar are perfectly blended together and my mouth was coated with almost a permanent sticky delight that I did not want to alter.
The fast is over. After this lunch, as usual, my day is complete, but I may return tomorrow to discover a new treat as I`m now well prepared and ready with a sound mind and better liver function.
Cheers,
Blake
