2021 is an important year for me and I have an opportunity to purchase either of the following from a kind friend: 2021 DRC Romanee-St-Vivant or 2021 Mugnier Les Amoureuses. Ignoring price completely, which of the two would you rather have? I intend to cellar my choice as opposed to drinking imminently.
Perhaps this is an apples and oranges comparison, but I feel the way these prestigious vineyards and producers are written about, plus my own experiences, makes this a difficult choice. Iāve loved the Mugnier Iāve had (Les Fuees and CM) and Iāve loved the St. Vivant Iāve had (Hudelot-NoĆ«llat). I already own DRC Richebourg 2018 and Mugnier Musigny 2017, so Iām not without either of these producers in my cellar.
Of course the choice is mine alone, but Iām curious of the thoughts from the more experienced of you in the world of Blue Chip Burg. Thanks for your time.
I mean a lot of this is a stylistic question; Mugnier amoureuses is a going to be a lighter bodied, somewhat more elegant wine, especially in the 2021 vintage. DRC romanee saint vivant isnāt the biggest wine but certainly a bit bigger in comparison to the Mugnier amoureuses. Theyāre both good wines. How did you arrive at these two choices?
I canāt deny the very name āLes Amoureusesā is attractive for what this is meant to be - an anniversary bottle. The other factors being my wife and Iās sentimental experiences drinking Mugnier Les Fuees and Hudelot-NoĆ«llat RSV together in France, two bottles that we enjoyed immensely. In the latter case I found it particularly feminine and beautiful, rose petals and red fruits for days. Which sounds much more like how I read Les Amoureuses drinking, thus my indecision.
For my part, I would go DRC Romanee St. Vivant without question- but that is also possibly my favorite wine of all time, and so hardly an unbiased opinion. Their Romanee St. Vivant is one of the most aromatically captivating wines in the world- excelled only by Romanee Conti for the latterās laser precision combined with a perfectly spherical presentation that is hard to describe in words.
You already have some strong sentimental ties to the Mugnier, and that is a very meaningful part of the equation given both are excellent wines.
In addition to what Michael said, I would also note I find the Mugnier wines to be very polished. It is an attractive quality, but I far prefer Amoureuses with more barnyard and earthy forest floor notes- notably the Roumier and Drouhin versions. If those earthy aspects are not a major point of favor for you, then Mugnier is the clear choice I think.
For many years, I came out very well on RSV in terms of access by virtue of the fact most collectors seemed to agree with you. In the old days, RSV was the wine most available once all the big collectors had their fill of local allocations.
I will freely admit that La Tache is the greater wine, and in some respects as good or better than Romanee Conti, but while I enjoyed it occasionally- it is the Echezeaux and RSV that really push my buttons and always have- even back in the days when they were said to be lesser than they are now.
The question is when youād like to drink it.
The Mugnier ChM A might be accessable much earlier, maybe even now, better 2028 to 2040, while the DRC RSV needs time in the bottle, Iād say earliest 2033, better 2036+
Interesting! Iāll be on the lookout for your notes on that. Willing to share any predictions?
The glass of 2018 DRC Richebourg I had earlier this year was a singular experience for me, another reason DRC is in the mix. Iāve not had DRCās RSV, but the bottle of 2015 Hudelot-NoĆ«llat RSV I had at Plenitude in Paris this fall was one of the most achingly beautiful wines Iāve ever had.
I think thereās a high chance the JJ Confuron RSV will rival if not surpass the Hudelot and DRC. Iād like to include cathiard and Dujac but weāll see if people can source them.
Why not source DRC Richebourg then? Personally I havenāt had as good experiences with drc riche; I think it needs more time than some of the other wines. La Tache is my favorite DRC by quite a large margin.
The confuron wines are absolutely phenomenal. I should probably keep it quiet but whatever. Hard to keep the cat in the bag after @cfu waxed poetic about it.
I bought a bottle of DRC Richebourg ā18 after that tasting so Iām set there. As someone with the funds for a few of these bottles a year, but not cases, I have to balance my desire to have a few of the same with my desire to experience a wider variety at the top of the burgundy pyramid. Itās a roll of the dice but Iāve decided Iāve got a certain appetite for that risk.
I think Iām leaning towards Mugnier Les Amoureuses as I have some of the aforementioned HN RSV '15, but this morning I was told a Rousseau Beze ā21 is up for grabs too. Who knows! The winning decision process may be to have a bottle of wine and then shoot from the hip.
Lots to ponder here, fellas. Thanks for yāallās present and ongoing discussion. I value this wisdom greatly.
I have heard mixed reviews on the 21 beze; I know Kevin shin and some others loved it from barrel but the results Iāve heard from bottle have been mixed. Leon and son does have that bottle; honestly if youāre interested in sourcing beze and arenāt fixated on 21 benchmark dc has a bottle of 02 beze at a great price with their sale.