Some interesting wines over the weekend. I think the Dominique Laurent was actually the best and felt most traditional. Granted, it did have more age than the others. Some general thoughts:
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The Laurent wine did show oak, but seemed to be integrating and I think it will integrate with more years, which the wine needs anyway.
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I’ve enjoyed the few Gros Frere wines I’ve had recently. They seem on the edge of modern, but have a lot of structure. Need to hunt bargains on this producer.
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I’ve read many negatives on the Robert Groffier wines… I thought this was pretty and showed Chambolle character, but also more modern and reminded me of some 2006 WesMar wines I tasted a while back. Pricing on the Hauts-Doix in recent vintages is absolutely insane. Why so high? Proximity to Amoureuses?
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I really need to backfill 2005’s
1999 Dominique Laurent Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Saint Georges
Very savory nose showing leather hide, meaty game tones, some oak spices and red and dark fruit in the background with subtle earthiness. Palate has nice expanding fruit flavors along with leather and spice. Feels rustic, savory, and muscular. The nose is somewhat subtle compared to the palate. Medium body, med + acid. Likely just beginning to drink and will continue to evolve nicely for years.
2005 Gros Frère et Sœur Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru
Very powerful nose of coffee, earthy mushroom, kinky spices and thick, dark brooding fruits. Very intense and somewhat modern feel. Tightly wound palate stacked with red and black fruits. Started to unwind on day 2, and I’d have liked to see it on day 3 but never made it that far. Lots of structure and a really nice 2005. I am finding similarities to a 2012 recently tasted.
2006 Domaine Robert Groffier Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Hauts-Doix
Delicate pretty red fruits and Chambolle-y spices with rose bush scents. Slightly autumnal and stalky with a cool fruited feeling on the nose. Light-medium body on the palate, similar to many 06’s I’ve tasted. Very pretty mid-palate with good finesse and texture transitioning to an anise filled, slightly sweet and chewy finish. Perhaps on the cusp of more development.
2003 Domaine de Montille Volnay 1er Cru Taillepieds
Dark, ripe nose filled with black fruits, sandalwood spices, mint and some purple florals after time. Intriguing wine… Very big, tight on the palate with black cherry flavors, grippy tannin, medium finish. A nice but somewhat uninspiring, modern feeling 2003.