I was both excited and saddened to participate in the Third Annual Grand Jury du Vin Wine Symposium, hosted at the Tsinandali Estate. For the past twenty years, all of my wine trips had been with Kelly Walker. Unfortunately, Kelly passed away in July, and I was the lone American participating in the symposium.
Tiblisi
Tiblisi
Tsinandali Estate Wine Cellar
GJdV Session - 2019 Barolo
The wines showed excellent balance and freshness.
- 2019 Luciano Sandrone Barolo Le Vigne - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (11/7/2025)
Wine 1
Baked red fruit, dry cherry, sweet spices and iron. Medium concentration, bright acidity, strong iron mineral, slightly lean and cool, noticeable but sweet tannins and a medium finish. A bit simple. (90 points) - 2019 Cascina del Monastero Barolo - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (11/7/2025)
Wine 2
Red fruit, candied cherry, cherry soda, black cherry and sweet spices. Cool fruit impression. Round, soft and approchable. (90 points) - 2019 Luciano Sandrone Barolo Aleste - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (11/7/2025)
Wine 3
Ripe black fruit, coffee, sweet spices and iron. A bit coiled. Sweet tannins and nice structure. (90 points) - 2019 Giovanni Rosso Barolo Cerretta - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (11/7/2025)
Wine 4
Based black fruit and spearmint. Cool fruit expression, Tight and quite tannic. (89 points) - 2019 Giovanni Rosso Barolo Ester Canale Rosso Vigna Rionda - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (11/7/2025)
Wine 5
Strong iron mineral, subtle cool red fruit. Good balance, strong iron mineral. (92 points) - 2019 Palladino Barolo Ornato - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (11/7/2025)
Wine 6
Cool dark fruit, coffee bean and iron. Full body, cool, strong iron mineral, and strong tannins. (92 points) - 2019 Poderi Aldo Conterno Barolo Romirasco - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (11/7/2025)
Wine 7
Expressive complex nose, generous delicious red fruit, sous bois and light caramel. Very good concentration, warm and round, fine tannins and very good balance. A Burgundian expression. (94 points) - 2019 Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello Barolo Monprivato - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (11/7/2025)
Wine 8
Sweet red fruit, candied strawberry, really pretty and pure nose. There is noticeable structure, but it’s hard to tell, as the fruit is so pretty and pure. (93 points) - 2019 Poderi Luigi Einaudi Barolo Monvigliero - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (11/7/2025)
Wine 9
Red fruit, roasted red bell pepper, cinnamon and spice spices. Good concentration, cool and precise, and noticeable but fine tannins. Seems a bit shutdown. A classic wine with nice structure. (90 points) - 2019 Piero Benevelli Barolo Mosconi - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (11/7/2025)
Wine 10
Black and blue fruit, mint, spearmint, cinnamon and crushed rocks. Quite tannic. (91 points) - 2019 Giovanni Canonica Barolo Paiagallo - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (11/7/2025)
Wine 11
Spice, cool black fruit, leather and spicy spices. A bit coiled. Good balance, noticeable but sweet tannins and spicy finish. (92 points) - 2019 Vietti Barolo Brunate - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (11/7/2025)
Wine 12
Expressive nose displaying dark cherry fruit, mint, leather and spicy spices. Excellent concentration, rich and full. (92 points) - 2019 G.D. Vajra Barolo Bricco delle Viole - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (11/7/2025)
Wine 14
Generous black and red fruit, sweet spices, and strong iron mineral. Excellent concentration, a bit tight, good finesse and structure. (91 points) - 2019 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Brunate - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (11/7/2025)
Wine 16
Very complex nose, Delicate but ripe fruit expression, raisin, cherry, leather, rose and sweet spices. Excellent concentration, full, rich and round, silky and airy, perfect amount of acidity, fine mineral, and a long ripe red fruit driven finish. Very classic Barolo with a long finish. (94 points) - 2019 E. Pira & Figli (Chiara Boschis) Barolo Via Nuova - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (11/7/2025)
Wine 17
Bright delicious red fruit, mocha, oak and spicy spices. Very good balance, soft, round and sweet, perfect amount of acidity and fine mineral. Very Burgundian with a hint of new oak. (94 points) - 2019 Massolino Barolo Parussi - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (11/7/2025)
Wine 18
Bright sweet red fruit, strawberry dominates, rose, iron and sweet spices.
Good concentration, sweet and polished, and noticeable sweet tannins. It is a bit coiled at the moment but love the bright red fruit expression and iron mineral. (93 points) - 2019 Elio Grasso Barolo Gavarini Chiniera - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (11/7/2025)
Wine 20
Complex modern nose displaying concentrated red fruit, a hint of toasted oak, leather, caramel, black truffle, sweet spices and fine mineral. Excellent concentration, generous sweet red fruit, rich but cool, noticeable but fine tannins and a long generous red fruit driven finish.
* I got modern impression with new oak which can be attributed to stripping of the large neutral barrels between vintages according to rmcl92's tasting note below. (94 points) - 2019 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto Vigna Le Rocche - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (11/7/2025)
Wine 21
Textbook classic Barolo nose, sweet dry red fruit, dry cherry, strawberry jelly, caramel, truffle, cinnamon and spicy spices, and strong iron mineral. Very good concentration, beautiful precision, detail and balance, perfect amount of acidity, strong iron mineral, fine tannins and a long generous slightly dry red fruit driven finish with iron at the end. Really impressive wine. Perhaps it’s time to try more recent vintages of Giacosa. (95 points) - 2019 Gaja Barolo Sperss - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (11/7/2025)
Wine 22
Black fruit dominate, coffee, mocha, a hint of new oak, dark spices and earth. Excellent concentration, rich and full, perfect amount of acidity, medium mineral, fine tannins, and a long generous black fruit driven finish. The wine becomes more expressive and gains complexity with air. Very unique expression. 93 (93 points) - 2019 Conterno Fantino Barolo Vigna Ped Mosconi - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (11/7/2025)
Wine 24
Expressive complex nose displaying concentrated red fruit, caramel, noticeable oak, tar, sous bois, sweet spices and fine limestone. Excellent concentration, generous perfectly ripe red fruit, rich and full, perfect amount of acidity, medium mineral, and a long concentrated red fruit driven finish. Big, modern, and concentrated, the wine shows generous forward fruit hence very approachable. (95 points) - 2019 Fratelli Brovia Barolo - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (11/7/2025)
Wine 25
Slightly coiled nose displaying bright red fruit, sap, sweet spices and iron. Excellent concentration, slightly coiled red fruit, full body, medium mineral, strong iron mineral, and a long generous red fruit driven finish with iron at the end.
*My highest scored wine. Was it tight or simple? (96 points) - 2019 Comm. G.B. Burlotto Barolo Acclivi - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (11/7/2025)
Wine 26
Expressive pretty floral nose displaying delicious red fruit, strawberry, dry cherry, rose, sweet spices and iron mineral. Excellent balance and precision, warm and round, perfect amount of acidity, strong iron mineral, and a long generous bright red fruit driven finish with iron at the end. Very approachable and pretty. (93 points) - 2019 Fratelli Brovia Barolo Villero - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (11/7/2025)
Wine 27
Medium expressive nose, slightly coiled red fruit, cinnamon, spicy spices and iron. Medium concentration, coiled re fruit, cool and silky, bright acidity, iron mineral, and a medium long bright red fruit driven finish. (92 points) - 2019 Roberto Voerzio Barolo La Serra - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (11/7/2025)
Wine 28
Complex floral nose, perfectly ripe red fruit, sous bois, black truffle, rose, sweet spices and fine mineral. Excellent concentration, layers upon layers of generous red fruit, cool and precise, perfect amount of acidity and mineral, fine tannins and a long concentrated sweet red fruit driven finish. Already drinking well with generous fruit and beautiful complexity. (95 points) - 2019 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo Monvigliero - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (11/7/2025)
Wine 29
Pretty floral nose, bright red fruit, tar, rose, sweet spices and iron. Medium concentration. finely layered sweet red fruit, cool and silky, medium acidity and mineral, fine tannins, and a long sweet red fruit driven finish. This is a classic Barolo. (93 points) - 2019 Roberto Voerzio Barolo Riserva RV350 - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (11/7/2025)
Wine 30
Expressive complex nose displaying ripe black and red fruit, licorice, a hint of oak, sweet spices and fine mineral. Excellent concentration, generous black and red fruit, full body, perfect amount of acidity and mineral, and a long perfectly ripe red and black fruit driven finish. A bit of modern impression. Excellent showing. (94 points)
GJdV Session - Tuscany
Like the Barolo session, the wines showed very good balance and freshness.
Ideal Setting
- 2019 Pieve Santa Restituta (Gaja) Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino (11/8/2025)
Wine 1
Red fruit, strawberry, cherry, coffee, a hint of mint and limestone. Good precision, purity and balance, very refined palate, bright acidity and strong mineral, and a seamless long finish. Classic Sangiovese dominated wine. (94 points) - 2019 Castello del Terriccio Gian Annibale Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (11/8/2025)
Wine 2
Very ripe black fruit, blackberry liqueur, candied black fruit, fruitcake, dark chocolate, and strangely honey. Excellent concentration, although a bit heavy, silky and pure with good acidity and fine tannins. (95 points) - 2019 Le Macchiole Paleo Rosso - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (11/8/2025)
Wine 3
Slightly unripe cabernet, black fruit, a hint of oak, milky chocolate and fine mineral. Fresh, pure and cool, good balance, medium acidity and fine tannins. Surprised that this is Macchiole Paleo, as I would have expected a bit more concentration. (92 points) - 2019 Fattoria Poggio di Sotto Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino (11/8/2025)
Wine 4
Red fruit, a hint of stinky blue cheese, red cherry. Pure, cool and silky, classic Sangiovese. (92 points) - 2019 Tenuta di Valgiano Colline Lucchesi - Italy, Tuscany, Colline Lucchesi (11/8/2025)
Wine 5
Black pepper, strong soy, black fruit. Medium acidity, very ripe and a bit short. I spoke to Moreno, the proprietor. He declassified the entire production because he felt the wine was not up to standard. That must have been a hard decision but the right one. FWIW, his 21 which is 100% Sangiovese is exceptional. (91 points) - 2019 Reimitz Rosso Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (11/8/2025)
Wine 6
Red fruit, beef blood, mocha and strawberry. Medium body, bright acidity, a medium finish. (91 points) - 2019 Montevetrano Montevetrano Colli di Salerno IGT - Italy, Campania, Colli di Salerno IGT (11/8/2025)
Wine 7
Pure dark fruit, fresh cabernet nose, milk chocolate. Ripe but fresh and pure, silky, bright acidity and fine tannins. Need time. (92 points) - 2019 Soldera (Az. Agr. Case Basse) Brunello di Montalcino Riserva - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino (11/8/2025)
Wine 8
Classic Sangiovese. Red fruit, a hint of oak. Pure, cool and precise, bright acidity and very fine tannins. (93 points) - 2019 Tenuta Licinia Sasso di Fata Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (11/8/2025)
Wine 9
Slightly unripe cabernet, very floral, a hint of honey, jalapeno, spicy spices. Silky and sensual, pure, gets better with air. (97 points) - 2019 Tenuta di Trinoro Palazzi Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (11/8/2025)
Wine 10
Wet stone, stinky cheese, black fruit, fruitcake, ripe cabernet. Silky and generous. (93 points) - 2019 Tua Rita Giusto di Notri Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (11/8/2025)
Wine 11
Cool black fruit, oak, cabernet floral dust. Silky and polished. (93 points) - 2019 Antinori Solaia - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (11/8/2025)
Wine 12
Beautifully perfumed, pure concentrated black fruit, cabernet. Silky, precise and pure, fine tannins and a long finish. (96 points) - 2019 Brancaia Il Blu Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (11/8/2025)
Wine 13
Luxurious oak, super concentrated black fruit, modern, very Californian cult like, very ripe, silky and big. Hedonistic wine. (96 points) - 2019 Montevertine Le Pergole Torte Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (11/8/2025)
Wine 14
Red fruit, cherry, cherry candy and sweet spices. Silky, excellent balance, classic Sangiovese. (93 points) - 2019 Tenuta Licinia Sasso di Fata Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (11/8/2025)
Wine 15
Floral, cabernet franc, sweet red and black fruit. Silky and fluid, very good balance. (94 points) - 2019 Castellare di Castellina I Sodi di S. Niccolò Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (11/8/2025)
Wine 16
Red fruit, mint and earthy. Medium concentration, earthy, very fine tannins. (93 points) - 2019 Fattoria Le Pupille (Elisabetta Geppetti) Saffredi - Italy, Tuscany, Maremma, Maremma Toscana (11/8/2025)
Wine 17
Super concentrated ripe black fruit, strong oak and dark spices. Excellent concentration, silky, medium acidity, and strong tannins. (92 points) - 2019 Giuseppe Gorelli Brunello di Montalcino Riserva - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino (11/8/2025)
Wine 18
Pure red fruit, noticeable VA, and cool mint. Pure and fresh, good balance. (90 points) - 2019 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia - Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore (11/8/2025)
Wine 19
Excellent concentration, pure concentrated black fruit, Cabernet, sweet spices and good mineral expression. Silky and sensual. Rich but cool and precise. (96 points) - 2019 Tenuta di Biserno Biserno - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (11/8/2025)
Wine 20
Slightly unripe Cabernet, green, Cabernet dust and limestone. Medium concentration, cool and silky, good mineral expression and a medium to long finish. (91 points) - 2019 Podere Poggio Scalette Il Carbonaione Alta Valle della Greve IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Alta Valle della Greve IGT (11/8/2025)
Wine 21
Red fruit, Cherry dominates, mocha and coffee. Sangiovese. Good concentration, silky, bright acidity, fine tannins and a medium finish. (92 points) - 2019 Antinori Tignanello - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (11/8/2025)
Wine 22
Cabernet, fresh, cool, slightly unripe Cabernet. Good concentration, precision and freshness. (92 points) - 2019 Tenuta delle Terre Nere Etna Rosso Vecchie Vigne San Lorenzo - Italy, Sicily, Etna DOC (11/13/2025)
Wine 23
Pure red fruit, strawberry and cherry, spicy spices. Medium concentration, cool and precise, bright acidity and good balance. Unique expression (94 points) - 2019 Vecchie Terre di Montefili Anfiteatro - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (11/8/2025)
Wine 24
Lactic, very ripe red fruit, Chambord, licorice, and milk chocolate. Very good concentration, ripe but silky. (92 points) - 2019 Antinori Ampio Delle Mortelle Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (11/8/2025)
Wine 25
Cabernet, generous red fruit and spicy spices. Very good concentration, silky, and noticeable but fine tannins. Well made but not exciting. (91 points) - 2019 Capezzana Ugo Contini Bonacossi - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (11/8/2025)
Wine 26
Slightly vegetal, red fruit, a hint of mint and limestone. Cool and slightly lean. (90 points) - 2019 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia - Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Sassicaia (11/8/2025)
Wine 27
Perfectly ripe cool black fruit, blackberry and cassis, sweet spices. Cool and fresh, silky and bright acidity. Initially silky but strong tannins at the end. Really structured wine (93 points) - 2019 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino (11/8/2025)
Wine 28
Based red fruit, cherry pie, cherry, mocha and sweet spices. Excellent concentration, good balance and complexity and silk tannins. (94 points) - 2019 Antinori Tignanello - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (11/8/2025)
Wine 29
Cabernet, fresh and lactic/milk chocolate. Cool and fresh, bright acidity, noticeable tannins.
*The 19 Tignanello was also Wine 22. Strong cabernet impression with noticeable tannins. (93 points)
Relais Bernard Loiseau
I met up with Birdie and Kevin at the airport and drove down to the restaurant. It is a beautiful property situated in the countryside.
Very classic but slightly boring
Wine
- 2019 Coche-Dury Meursault Les Rougeots - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault (11/10/2025)
Initially, slightly coiled super concentrated ripe yellow fruit, lemon curd and yellow peach. Not showing much Coach characters. With air, delicious perfectly ripe yellow fruit, luxury oak, hint of flint, sweet spices and crushed rocks. Exceptional, concentration, perfectly ripe decadent yellow fruit, rich and oily bright acid, strong mineral and a long perfectly ripe concentrate yellow fruit driven finish. IMO, Coche whites are about the decadence, matchstick and perfectly used luxurious oak. This is no exception. Drinking beautifully. (94 points) - 2010 Domaine Méo-Camuzet Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Cros Parantoux - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru (11/10/2025)
Slightly coiled masculine nose displaying concentrated black fruit with a hint of red, a hint of sous bois, raw cep, iron, dark spices and earth. Excellent concentration, coiled concentrated black fruit, silky and cool, bright acidity, earthy mineral, noticeable tannins and a long concentrated black fruit driven finish. This is a masculine structured wine that needs at least another decade of cellaring. Impressive but not giving much pleasure. (95 points) - 2022 François Raveneau Chablis 1er Cru Butteaux - France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru (11/10/2025)
Expressive nose displaying generous yellow and white fruit, pear, apple, a hint of lemon urd, honeysuckle, lanoline, thyme, saline, sweet spices and limestone. Perfectly harmonious palate, finely layered sweet white fruit, oily yet very precise and focused, perfect amount of acidity and mineral, and a seamless long generous white fruit driven finish with thyme and lanoline at the end. This is a textbook Raveneau that is drinking well already. (95 points)
Restaurant Les Jardins by La Cloch
I stayed at the Grand Hôtel La Cloche in Dijon a couple of years ago but didn’t dine here, so we decided to give it a try. Unfortunately, the restaurant was in total chaos. It took almost an hour to receive our starters and over an hour and a half for our mains. The manager/sommelier apologized. The cooking was quite good, but the waiting was a bit too much.
- 2020 Domaine Prieuré Roch Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos des Varoilles - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru (11/10/2025)
Very “natural” fruit expression, blackberry, pomegranate, cherry liqueur, animal, rose, dark spices and earth. Very good concentration, intense ripe black fruit, cloudy/murky palate, rich and full, bright acidity, earthy mineral, and a long concentrated ripe black fruit driven finish. I always find Beaujolais like fruit expression in Prieuré Roch wines and this is no exception. Absolutely a very poor QPR. (93 points)
Domaine Faiveley
I emailed Erwan to request a visit. Despite it being Armistice Day and his wish to spend time with his family as the father of a young son and daughter, he kindly made time for us. I have been a big fan of Faiveley wines, especially since the 2005 vintage, when Erwan teamed up with Bernard Hervet to completely revamp the winemaking at the domaine. To my palate, the wines are pure, beautifully perfumed, and very consistent, from Mercurey to Cuvée Rodin. I am also a big fan of the monopole Clos des Cortons, for which Erwan kindly proposed a vertical tasting.
- 2024 Faiveley Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Referts - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru (11/11/2025)
Barrel Tasting - Expressive nose displaying ripe yellow fruit with a hint white, pineapple, white peach, lemon curd, saline, sesame/oak, sweet spices and limestone. Very good concentration, generous ripe yellow fruit, rich and oily but also nicely focused, bright acidity, medium limestone mineral, and a medium to long sweet yellow fruit driven finish with a hint of oak/sesame at the end. This is a nice textbook 1er crus Puligny. (93 points) - 2024 Faiveley Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru (11/11/2025)
Barrel Tasting - Expressive nose displaying concentrated white and yellow fruit, apple, lemon curd, and a hint of peach, cedar, spicy spices, and fine limestone mineral. Excellent concentration, generous ripe white and yellow fruit, dense and oily, medium acidity and mineral, and a long, concentrated, yellow-fruit driven finish with a touch of cedar on the end. This is a rich expression of BBM, closer to Batard than Chevalier. (94 points) - 2024 Faiveley Bâtard-Montrachet - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru (11/11/2025)
Barrel Tasting - Expressive nose displaying concentrated ripe yellow fruit, apple, pineapple, lanoline, coconut, crackerjack, spicy spices and limestone. Excellent concentration, layers upon layers of rich yellow fruit with a hint of white, bright acidity, fine limestone mineral, and a long ripe concentrated yellow fruit driven finish. This is fuller than the BBM. (95 points) - 2024 Faiveley Corton-Charlemagne - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru (11/11/2025)
Barrel Tasting - Expressive nose displaying concentrated white and yellow fruit, pear, white peach, lemon curd, a hint of pineapple, honeysuckle, vanilla/oak and fine mineral. Excellent concentration, generous sweet and ripe white fruit, rich and full but also precise, bright acidity and medium mineral, and a long concentrated white fruit driven finish. Very young but really promising. (95 points) - 2023 Faiveley Corton-Clos des Cortons Faiveley - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru (11/11/2025)
Expressive nose displaying ripe concentrated red fruit, red cherry, cherry compote, strawberry, light caramel, rose, sweet spices and earth. Excellent concentration, generous ripe red cherry fruit, rich and full but also silky, medium acidity and mineral, and a long generous ripe red fruit driven finish. This is riper than the 22. Already very approachable with ample ripe red fruit. (93 points) - 2022 Faiveley Corton-Clos des Cortons Faiveley - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru (11/11/2025)
Exquisite floral nose displaying perfectly ripe pure red fruit, red cherry, strawberry, rose, sweet spices and crushed rocks. Very elegant, precise and beautifully detailed. Perfect amount of acidity and mineral, no noticeable tannins and a seamless long pure red fruit driven finish. Absolutely gorgeous wine. (97 points) - 2021 Faiveley Corton-Clos des Cortons Faiveley - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru (11/11/2025)
Pure red fruit, raspberry and cherry, rose, sweet spices and limestone. Medium concentration, pure red fruit, cool and silky, bright acidity, fine mineral, and a pure red fruit driven finish. This is a pretty wine that is already very enjoyable. Not as concentrated as the other vintages but pure and delicious I had expected a hint of green, but none was found. This is Chambolle like Corton. When I tasted from Barell, I thought this was really concentrated and structured. Not, simply delicious. (95 points) - 2019 Faiveley Corton-Clos des Cortons Faiveley - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru (11/11/2025)
Expressive nose displaying perfectly ripe black fruit, blackberry, black cherry, light caramel, sweet spices and limestone. Excellent concentration, layers upon layers of perfectly ripe black fruit, silky and air, perfect amount of acidity and mineral, and a seamless long generous black fruit driven finish. For my wine of the vertical. I need to try another bottle soon. (97 points) - 1990 Faiveley Corton-Clos des Cortons Faiveley - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru (11/11/2025)
I am not a big fan of Coravin, especially with wines that are 20-plus years old. While not lacking concentration, there is a sign of oxidation. Even if this were fresh, I would imagine it being masculine and rustic. Certainly, interesting and not lacking concentration, but a bit disjointed. Assuming that the bottle is fresh, this would have been a 92-94 point wine. (93 points) - 1971 Faiveley Corton-Clos des Cortons Faiveley - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru (11/11/2025)
Beautifully mature nose displaying slightly dry, sweet red fruit, raspberry preserve, sous bois, soy, mint, sautéed cep, black truffle, sweet spice, and earth. Fully integrated palate, mature sweet red fruit, rich and silky, bright acidity, earthy mineral, and a long mature sweet red fruit–driven finish with sous bois at the end. Despite being Coravined, there is only a hint of oxidative note via soy. (94 points)
Bistrot du Bord de l'Eau
I previously enjoyed dining at Table de Levernois, but it was closed, so we ate at the bistro. Hostellerie de Levernois is a beautiful property. The wine list was huge but expensive. The lunch was delicious and a great value.
Excellent cooking, offering very good value
These represented the two best values.
After lunch, we paid homage to our favorite drinking hole.
- 2022 Coche-Dury Meursault Les Rougeots - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault (11/11/2025)
An expressive tropical yellow fruit driven nose, pineapple, a hint of mango, lemon curd, pinecone, ginger, grilled fat, a hint of Coche flint, luxurious oak and sesame, sweet spices, and limestone. Excellent concentration, layers upon layers of rich, concentrated tropical yellow fruit, thick and oily, bright acidity, fine limestone mineral, and a long concentrated yellow fruit driven finish with ginger and oak at the end. This is the ripest Coche Rougeot of the trip, riper than both the 2019 and 2020. (94 points) - 2021 Domaine Armand Rousseau Père et Fils Gevrey-Chambertin - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin (11/11/2025)
From a half bottle. Succulent black fruit, blackberry jam, crushed blackberry, rose, raw button mushroom, sweet spices, and earth. Very good concentration, generous black fruit, good detail and balance, good acidity, and earthy mineral and a medium long, cool black fruit driven finish. This is a good village wine that should sell for under $100. (91 points)
L'Aspérule
This is one of the best restaurants in Dijon. The proprietor-chef is now consulting in the Middle East, and the young Japanese chef de cuisine who was here the year before is now at the helm, doing an exceptional job.
- 2014 François Raveneau Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons - France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru (11/11/2025)
Expressive nose displaying yellow citrus fruit, beeswax, saline, lemon oil, mint, ginger and limestone. Very good concentration, generous yellow fruit with a hint of white, oily but precise, perfect amount of acidity, fine mineral, and a long generous yellow fruit driven finish. Strangely, the mid-palate seems a bit hollow. Very Raveneau for sure but lacking the middle. (93 points) - 2015 Domaine Bernard-Bonin Meursault 1er Cru Les Genevrières - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault 1er Cru (11/11/2025)
The nose of natural wine. Light golden yellow. Generous yellow fruit, yellow peach, dry apricot, honey, marzipan, sweet spices and limestone. Very rich, ripe, and full-bodied. The finish is quite long. This really reminds me of Clos Rougeard Breze. I had the 2020 Bernard-Bonin Meursault La Rencontre, which was pure and precise. I’m not sure whether there has been a change in the winemaking style. (93 points) - 2019 Domaine G. Roumier / Christophe Roumier Bonnes Mares - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Bonnes Mares Grand Cru (11/11/2025)
Beautiful perfumed nose, perfectly ripe black fruit, blackberry, black cherry, cornucopia of flowers, sap, sweet spices and crushed rocks. Exceptional concentration, layers upon layers of rich black fruit, rich yet silky and fluid, perfect amount of acidity and mineral, and a long perfectly ripe black fruit driven floral finish. I no longer find iron. Despite being so young, this is drinking incredibly well. (97 points)
Domaine Buisson-Charles
Always one of my favorite visits. Patrick warmly greeted us. Louis is now fully responsible for winemaking. Patrick informed me that the Domaine recently acquired vineyards in Corton. Though very young, the ’25 Corton Charlemagne was exceptional. The wines were excellent, which was not surprising.
- 2024 Buisson-Charles Bourgogne-Aligoté Hors Classe - France, Burgundy, Bourgogne-Aligoté (11/12/2025)
Concentrated yellow fruit, pine needle, saline, honey, spicy spices, and limestone. Impressive concentration and balance for an Aligoté. (90 points) - 2024 Buisson-Charles Bourgogne Côte d'Or Hautes Coutures Blanc - France, Burgundy, Bourgogne Côte d'Or (11/12/2025)
Barrel Sample – Generous pure white fruit, light honey, sweet spices, and limestone. Super mineral, with bright acidity, Really good concentration and complexity for a Bourgogne Blanc. (92 points) - 2024 Buisson-Charles Meursault Vieilles Vignes - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault (11/12/2025)
Ripe and rich but also pure. Tropical yellow fruit, pineapple, pine needle, beeswax, crackerjack, sweet spices and limestone. Excellent concentration, generous sweet ripe fruit, dense and oily, bright acidity, strong mineral, and a long ripe tropical yellow fruit driven finish with a hint of crème brulee at the end. Very ripe style of Meursault that will please the high end domestic Chardonnay drinkers. (93 points) - 2024 Buisson-Charles Meursault Les Tessons - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault (11/12/2025)
Barrel Sample – A lot more white fruit than the VV. Pure fresh white fruit, granny smith, lemon curd, pear, honeysuckle, saline and limestone. Excellent concentration, finely layered generous pure white fruit, excellent balance and precision, bright acidity, medium mineral, and a long pure white fruit driven finish. Excellent wine that is already drinking well. (94 points) - 2024 Buisson-Charles Meursault 1er Cru Bouches-Chères - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault 1er Cru (11/12/2025)
Barrel Sample – Expressive nose displaying cool pure white fruit, pear and apple, saline, candied ginger, beeswax, spicy spices and crushed rocks. Excellent concentration, finely layered white fruit, rich yet perfect precision and balance, bright acidity, strong limestone mineral, and a long pure white fruit driven mineral finish. Excellent showing. (95 points) - 2025 Buisson-Charles Bourgogne Côte d'Or Haute Densité - France, Burgundy, Bourgogne Côte d'Or (11/12/2025)
Barrel Sample - Sweet and rich. Excellent concentration. Too primary to rate. - 2025 Buisson-Charles Meursault Vignes de 1945 - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault (11/12/2025)
Barrel Sample – Very refined palate, excellent balance. Too primary to rate. - 2025 Buisson-Charles Corton-Charlemagne - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru (11/12/2025)
Barrel Sample – The first domaine bottling. Already showing the greatness. Pure and precise. Exceptional viscosity. Too primary to rate but this will be a very special wine. - 2024 Buisson-Charles Bourgogne Côte d'Or Hautes Coutures - France, Burgundy, Bourgogne Côte d'Or (11/12/2025)
Barrel Sample – Generous pure black fruit, rose, sap and mineral. Medium concentration, delicious black fruit, silky and cool, good acidity, limestone mineral, and a long sweet black fruit driven finish. This is a well-made Bourgogne rouge. (90 points) - 2024 Buisson-Charles Pommard En Mareau - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Pommard (11/12/2025)
Barrel Sample – Generous pure black fruit, silky, elegant and refine. Already quite enjoyable. (92 points) - 2024 Buisson-Charles Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Les Marconnets - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru (11/12/2025)
Barrel Sample – Medium expressive nose, sweet red fruit, strawberry candy, cherry, rose, sap, sweet spices and earth. Medium concentration, generous sweet red fruit, silky and cool, bright acidity, earthy mineral, and a medium long generous sweet red fruit driven finish. Delicious. (92 points) - 2024 Buisson-Charles Corton-Renardes - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru (11/12/2025)
Barrel Sample – Expressive nose displaying pure black fruit, blackberry, black cherry, ink, lavender, sweet spices and fine mineral. Excellent concentration, layers upon layers of generous pure black fruit, silky and cool, perfect amount of acidity and mineral, and a long generous pure black fruit driven floral finish. Excellent showing. (94 points) - 2024 Buisson-Charles Volnay 1er Cru Santenots - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Volnay 1er Cru (11/12/2025)
Barrel Sample – Expressive nose displaying perfectly ripe black fruit, very floral, strong stem, Asian spice, sap, sweet spices and limestone. Excellent concentration, generous pure black fruit, silky and fluid, perfect amount of acidity and mineral, and a long generous pure black fruit driven floral finish. Already very pretty and complex. (94 points) - 2025 Buisson-Charles Pommard 1er Cru Clos des Arvelets - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Pommard 1er Cru (11/12/2025)
Barrel Sample - Generous red fruit, cedar, grilled fat, smoked meat, sap, sweet spices, and earth. Excellent concentration generous sweet red fruit, rich yet silky, bright acidity and earthy mineral, and a medium to long generous sweet red fruit, with cedar at the end. I look forward to tasting it from the bottle. - 2025 Buisson-Charles Corton - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru (11/12/2025)
Barrel Sample - Perfectly ripe bright red fruit, strawberry and cherry, very floral, caramel, sap, sweet spices and earth. Already showing beautiful balance and detail, generous red fruit, silky and fluid, bright acidity, earthy mineral, and a seamless long bright red fruit driven floral finish. This is a very floral and bright Corton. - 2025 Buisson-Charles Volnay 1er Cru Santenots - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Volnay 1er Cru (11/12/2025)
Barrel Sample - Expressive nose displaying perfectly ripe black fruit, sap, noticeable stem, liquid smoke, very floral, sweet spices and crushed rocks. Beautiful harmonious palate, generous pure black fruit, silky and elegant, bright acidity, fine mineral, and a long generous pure black fruit driven floral finish. This is a classic elegant and expressive Volnay. 60% stem inclusion.
Au Fil Du Clos
The restaurant was situated near Coche-Dury, surrounded by vineyards. The dishes were delicious. The wine list was very good; some wines were sold out, and the prices were not cheap.
Very good cooking.
Not too many bargains.
- 2022 Lamy-Caillat Saint-Aubin en l'Ebaupin - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Saint-Aubin (11/12/2025)
In line with Lamy-Caillat style. Very pure, clean and precise. Cool white fruit, white flowers and fine mineral. There is a hint of bitterness which is not bothersome. Very good energy and precision. Medium finish. (92 points) - 2020 Coche-Dury Meursault Les Rougeots - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault (11/12/2025)
Expressive nose displaying concentrated succulent yellow fruit, including pear, lemon, a hint of pineapple, flint, light caramel, sesame or toasted oak, sweet spices, and limestone. Excellent concentration, generous sweet succulent yellow fruit, rich, full and oily, a perfect amount of acidity, medium mineral, and a long generous yellow fruit driven finish with flint and sesame at the end. Stylistically, it is the opposite of Lamy-Caillat, showing the strong winemaker signature with judicious use of luxurious oak and sulfites. Very similar to the 2019 that I drank two days earlier. (95 points)
Domaine Pierre Vincent
We drove to Auxey-Duresses. The last time I met Ms. Vincent was at Domaine Leflaive. I believe the domaine's wines are in high demand among the Instagram crowd.
- 2024 Domaine Pierre Vincent Auxey-Duresses Les Closeaux Rouge - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Auxey-Duresses (11/12/2025)
Barrel Tasting - Bright cool red fruit, medium concentration, spicy spices, a hint of stem, nice structure but not concentrated. Pretty and linear. 100% stem inclusion. (91 points) - 2024 Domaine Pierre Vincent Volnay Ez Blanches - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Volnay (11/12/2025)
Barrel Tasting - I am not sure whether the designation is the same as the Volnay Village 2023. Pierre referred to it as “Volnay.” Generous black fruit, ink, lavender, sweet spices, and a strong mineral. Noticeable tannins give structure, resulting in a masculine, structured Volnay. (90 points) - 2024 Domaine Pierre Vincent Volnay 1er Cru Le Ronceret - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Volnay 1er Cru (11/12/2025)
Barrel Tasting - This is richer, rounder and fuller than the village Volnay but similarly tannic and structured. (92 points) - 2024 Domaine Pierre Vincent Chardonnay Bourgogne Blanc - France, Burgundy, Bourgogne Blanc (11/12/2025)
Barrel Tasting - Although the fruit is in white spectrum, i.e. pear and apple, it give a very ripe impression. Bright acidity and strong mineral presence nicely counterbalance the ripeness. This is a very good richer style of BB. (90 points) - 2024 Domaine Pierre Vincent Monthélie Les Sous-Roches - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Monthélie (11/12/2025)
Barrel Tasting - Slightly riper than the Bourgogne Chardonnay, showing peach rather than pear. Spicy notes with a good mineral presence. (90 points) - 2024 Domaine Pierre Vincent Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Aux Vergelesses - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru (11/12/2025)
Barrel Tasting - Rounder and richer than the previous two whites, Generous ripe white peach, a hint of clementine and sweet spicy. Excellent concentration and richness. (90 points) - 2024 Domaine Pierre Vincent Chassagne-Montrachet La Platière - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet (11/12/2025)
Barrel Tasting - Generous white fruit, pear and apple, strangely grilled fat, crackerjack and sweet spices. Rich, full and fat. Perhaps the ripest wine so far. Lacks finesse but enjoyable. (91 points) - 2024 Domaine Pierre Vincent Puligny-Montrachet - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet (11/12/2025)
Barrel Tasting - Generous white and yellow fruit, pear, lemon curd, sweet spices and limestone mineral. Excellent concentration, generous white and yellow fruit, rich and full, bright acidity, good mineral presence, and a medium long ripe yellow fruit driven finish. (92 points) - 2024 Domaine Pierre Vincent Meursault - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault (11/12/2025)
Barrel Tasting - I don’t think this is a lieu-dit. Lemon oil and pineapple, predominantly yellow fruit but remains pure. Good acidity and mineral expression. (92 points) - 2024 Domaine Pierre Vincent Meursault Les Luchets - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault (11/12/2025)
Barrel Tasting - More focused and precise than the Meursault. Pear and white peach, saline, spicy spices and fine limestone mineral. Excellent concentration. (93 points) - 2024 Domaine Pierre Vincent Corton-Charlemagne - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru (11/12/2025)
Barrel Tasting - A big scale wine with generous white and yellow fruit, high extract resulting in dense and oily palate, super mineral, excellent balance and precision. (96 points)
Le Bistro d’Olivier
One of our crew flew in from Atlanta and drove straight to Puligny to meet us. Since we had a bit of extra time, we stopped at Le Bistro d’Olivier for a quick drink. The gentleman at the reception was gracious and extremely accommodating.
- NV Jacques Selosse Initial - France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru (11/12/2025)
Until 2019, I used to import fifteen cases of Initial annually. In 2017 and earlier, 25 cases annually. It was not that easy to sell and I often consigned to a NY based auction house. A great example of the fickle nature of wine market.
I recall this being a relatively recent release. Like my 2018 TN, this is more oxidative than usual. Perhaps there was a slight stylistic change but not certain. Expressive oxidative nose, sweet slightly dry yellow fruit, hazelnut, marzipan, anise, sweet spices and fine mineral. Rich and full but also quite precise, medium generous fine mousse, bright acidity, medium mineral, and a long sweet yellow fruit driven nutty finish. This is a bit like Substance or Guillaume’s Largillier. (95 points)
Domaine Leflaive
We were hosted by Brice de la Morandière, who was in his usual humorous form. The wines were so good.
- 2023 Domaine Leflaive Mâcon-Verzé - France, Burgundy, Mâconnais, Mâcon-Verzé (11/12/2025)
Ripe fruit expression, white peach, pineapple, lemon oil, and a hint of limestone. Good concentration, rich, ripe, and sweet, bright acidity, subtle mineral and a medium finish. This is the ripest expression in the flight, showing a note of pineapple. (90 points) - 2023 Domaine Leflaive Mâcon-Verzé Le Monte - France, Burgundy, Mâconnais, Mâcon-Verzé (11/12/2025)
White fruit compare to the regular Macon Verze, also cooler. Rear, apple and lemon curd, a hint of flint, saline, vanilla, sweet spices and limestone mineral. Cool, precise and pure. Bright acidity, strong mineral, and a medium to long pure white fruit driven finish. Well made wine that is already drinking nicely. (92 points) - 2022 Esprit Leflaive Nuits St. Georges - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges (11/12/2025)
Perfectly ripe delicious red fruit, quite floral and pretty. Good concentration, silky and pure, medium acidity, earthy mineral, and a medium to long generous red fruit driven finish. Already drinking well. Delicious but not terribly complex. (91 points) - 2023 Esprit Leflaive Beaune 1er Cru Les Tuvilains - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Beaune 1er Cru (11/12/2025)
Generous rich red fruit, strawberry jam, raspberry, a hint of cedar, light caramel, sweet spices and earth. Good concentration, rich sweet red fruit, warm and round, medium acidity, earthy mineral, and a medium to long sweet red fruit driven finish. A bit more complexity than the 22 NSG. Delicious wine. (92 points) - 2023 Domaine Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc - France, Burgundy, Bourgogne Blanc (11/12/2025)
Sweet white fruit with pear and peach, a hint of vanilla and sesame, honey, sweet spices, and fine limestone mineral. Medium concentration with generous, delicious white and yellow fruit, a perfect amount of acidity, strong mineral, especially for a Bourgogne Blanc, and a medium long sweet white fruit driven finish. A delicious, well made wine. (91 points) - 2023 Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatières - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru (11/12/2025)
Beautiful nose displaying rich white fruit, white peach, pear, lemon curd, flint, sweet spices, and crushed rocks. Excellent concentration, layers upon layers of rich white fruit, full and oily yet very precise, due to bright acidity and strong mineral expression. The finish is long and lingering. An excellent showing. This seems fuller and riper than the Pucelles served next. (95 points) - 2023 Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Pucelles - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru (11/12/2025)
Expressive nose displaying cool generous white fruit, lemon curd, pear, flint, honeysuckle, sea breeze, saline, spice spices and fine mineral. Exceptional precision and focus, bright acidity, strong limestone mineral, and a long pure white fruit driven finish with flint at the end. This is cooler and more precise compare to the Folatieres. (96 points) - 2023 Domaine Leflaive Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru (11/12/2025)
An expressive nose displaying cool, pure white fruit, Granny Smith, pear, Meyer lemon, flint, honeysuckle, spice, and limestone. Excellent concentration, very finely layered white fruit, precise and focused yet elegant and airy, bright acidity, strong limestone mineral, and a seamless long pure white fruit driven finish.
I love BBM from Leflaive, which is always closer to the Chevalier than the Batard, i.e. favoring elegance over power and concentration. (97 points)
William Frachot
We were looking forward to our first visit to this two star Michelin restaurant. We were considering ordering a particular bottle as our first wine, and I asked the head sommelier whether the bottle could be returned if it was corked. He stated that in his ten plus years with the restaurant, the domaine has not accepted returns. I then asked if we could examine the bottle, at which point he laughed and asked why. He reluctantly brought the bottle out but was incredibly rude. Before we could make a decision, he took the bottle back. From there, the wine service went downhill very quickly.
The dishes were excellent and worthy of two stars, and our server was pleasant and very informative. I later consulted with two head sommeliers, both of whom confirmed that the domaine does accept returns on flawed bottles, which I was already aware of.
- 2019 Etienne Sauzet Montrachet - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Montrachet Grand Cru (11/12/2025)
Expressive nose displaying super concentrated yellow fruit, lemon curd, baked apple, light honey, sweet spices, and fine mineral. Exceptional concentration, layers upon layers of intense yellow fruit, rich, dense, and powerful, strong presence of extract, bright acidity, medium mineral, and a long, concentrated, yellow fruit driven finish. This is a powerful Montrachet, leaning more toward Batard in terms of power and concentration. It is not showing much finesse a la Chevalier at the moment. (96 points) - 2014 Sylvain Cathiard Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Malconsorts - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru (11/12/2025)
Expressive nose displaying cool black fruit with a hint of red, blackberry, cherry, rose, fresh cep, sweet spices and limestone. Excellent concentration, layers upon layers of perfectly ripe black fruit, rich and full, bright acidity, strong mineral, noticeable slightly dry tannins, and a long concentrated black fruit driven finish with a liquid smoke at the end. I am surprised by the aggressive tannins. Perhaps need more time to soften. (94 points) - 2016 Domaine Georges Mugneret-Gibourg Echezeaux - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Echezeaux Grand Cru (11/12/2025)
Expressive nose displaying ripe, concentrated black fruit, blackberry liqueur, black cherry, licorice, light caramel, grilled cep, dark spices, and earth. Exceptional concentration, layers upon layers of intense ripe sweet black fruit, rich, dense, and full-bodied, bright acidity, strong mineral, and a long, ripe black fruit driven finish. This is a ripe and concentrated Échezeaux. In my opinion, Gibourg’s wines have become even more ripee and concentrated over the last decade. (95 points)
Maison Lameloise
We had a morning visit at Jean Féry, situated close to Pernand-Vergelesses. The wines were correct but not terribly exciting. The dishes at Lameloise were excellent, with no doubt three star quality. However, the wine list had no bargains. The service, both food and wine, was perfect.
Fully deserving of three stars
- 2022 Lamy-Caillat Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Caillerets - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru (11/13/2025)
Very precise nose displaying slightly coiled yellow fruit, lemon curd, pear, mountain stream, saline, spicy spices and crushed rocks. Very good concentration, finely layered yellow citrus fruit, pure, precise and focused, bright acidity, strong limestone mineral, and a long slightly coiled yellow citrus fruit driven finish. What I love about Lamy-Caillat is purity, focus and precision. (95 points) - 2014 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (11/13/2025)
Most Rayas wines can show a bit of yellow or brown even when young, and this is no exception. This is the Rayas “light.” It does show the classic Rayas profile, i.e. tobacco, garrigue, orange peel, and white pepper, but it lacks the fruit concentration of the better vintages. There is a hint of cherry or cherry liqueur but it very light on fruit.
Objectively, this is not a great wine, but it displays the typicity of Rayas. For my palate, a mature Charvin can provide a lot of similarity, though not exact. While I would neither seek out a bottle nor order it at a restaurant, if one has never had the 2014 Rayas, it would certainly make sense to order a bottle at a restaurant if the price is right. This is very similar to the 11. (93 points) - 2022 Domaine Berthaut-Gerbet Fixin 1er Cru Les Arvelets - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Fixin 1er Cru (11/13/2025)
We asked the head sommelier, M. Reymond, for his recommendation. Intense purple which I equate to “natural” wine. This is a dense and concentrated wine with generous black fruit with a hint of red. Perhaps needs time to settle down. A bit of Beaujolais crus feel. (91 points) - 2016 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage (11/13/2025)
I recognize Alex Gambal, whom I briefly met once before. We send a couple of glasses of the 2014 Rayas, and he reciprocates. Expressive nose displaying intensely rich black fruit, blackberry, black cherry, chocolate covered cherry, ink, licorice, grilled fat, black pepper, lavender, and crushed rocks. Exceptional concentration, layers upon layers of intense black fruit, rich, dense, and full, bright acidity, strong mineral, and a long, concentrated black fruit driven floral finish with ink at the end. This is a big scale Chave with a great future ahead, drinking beautifully in a youthful way. (98 points)
Comte Liger Belair
It is always a pleasure to taste wine with Louis-Michel. Production for the 2024 vintage was drastically reduced. I thought the wines were exceptional, very pure and surprisingly generous.
- 2024 Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair Vosne-Romanée - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée (11/13/2025)
Pure generous black fruit, licorice, Vosne spice, rose, spicy spices and limestone. Good concentration, generous pure black fruit, silky and round, perfect amount of acidity and mineral, and a long generous pure black fruit driven finish. It shows a very good concentration, purity and balance. (92 points) - 2024 Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair Vosne-Romanée Clos du Château - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée (11/13/2025)
Barrel Sample - Really pure, sexy, and precise. Perfectly ripe, delicious, pure black fruit, pronounced floral notes, spicy spices, and limestone dust. Excellent balance, perfectly ripe delicious sweet black fruit, silky and elegant, perfect amount of acidity and strong limestone mineral, and a seamless long pure black fruit driven finish. This will be delicious from the get-go. Always one of my favorite cuvees. (94 points) - 2024 Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru (11/13/2025)
Barrel Sample - Generous pure black fruit with a hint of red, blackberry concentrate, raspberry, grilled fat, rose, a hint of Vosne spice, sesame/toasted oak, sweet spices and fine mineral. Excellent concentration, generous pure black and red fruit, rich and full but also very precise and silky, perfect amount of acidity, fine mineral, and a seamless long pure black fruit driven floral finish. Good concentration and richness. (94 points) - 2024 Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Clos des Grandes Vignes - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru (11/13/2025)
Barrel Sample - Concentrated bright sweet red fruit, strawberry and cherry, rose, sap, sweet spices and earth. Good concentration, delicious sweet red fruit, warm and round, bright acidity, earthy mineral and a medium to long sweet red fruit driven finish. Showing red fruits compare to the previous wines from Vosne. 10% Chardonnay inclusion. (93 points) - 2024 Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Suchots - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru (11/13/2025)
Barrel Sample - Rich and dense, concentrated sweet red fruit, strawberry and cherry, rose, Vosne spice, spicy spices and mineral. The most concentrated and rich wine so far. (94 points) - 2024 Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Aux Cras - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru (11/13/2025)
Barrel Sample - Richer and dark than the 24 Clos des Grandes Vignes. Generous ripe and sweet black fruit, blackberry concentrated, black cherry, licorice, dark spices and crushed rocks. Excellent concentration, generous sweet black fruit, rich and full, bright acidity, strong mineral, and a long ripe concentrated black fruit driven finish. This is a bit more Vosne like. (93 points) - 2024 Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Petits Monts - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru (11/13/2025)
Barrel Sample - Expressive nose displaying concentrated pure black fruit, blackberry concentrate, black cherry, grilled fat, sesame/toasted oak, dark spices and mineral. Excellent concentration, nicely layered perfectly ripe black fruit, rich and full but also silky and nicely detailed, perfect amount of acidity, fine mineral, and a long ripe black fruit driven finish. This clearly expresses Louis-Michel’s style. (95 points) - 2024 Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Malconsorts - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru (11/13/2025)
Barrel Sample - Expressive nose displaying sweet black fruit with a hint of red, blackberry, black cherry, currant, animal, roasted coffee bean, liquid smoke, sweet spices and limestone. Very good concentration, generous sweet black fruit, rich and full, bright acidity, medium mineral, and a long ripe black fruit driven finish. Pretty rich and powerful wine but will drinking well upon release. (94 points) - 2024 Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Reignots - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru (11/13/2025)
Barrel Sample - Big, round and full, most concentrated black fruit, grilled fat, Vosne spice, sesame/oak, rose, dark spices and crushed rocks. Excellent concentration, generous black fruit, round and rich but also beautiful detail and balance, bright acidity, strong mineral, and a long perfectly ripe black fruit driven finish. This combines power and finesse. (96 points) - 2024 Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair Clos Vougeot - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos Vougeot Grand Cru (11/13/2025)
Barrel Sample - Expressive nose displaying concentrated black and red fruit, blackberry and cherry, sesame/oak, mocha, sweet spices and earth. Excellent concentration, concentrated black and red fruit, rich and full, bright acidity, earthy mineral, noticeable but fine tannins, and a long concentrated black and red fruit driven finish. This is a bit more masculine than the other cuvees. (94 points) - 2024 Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair Echezeaux - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Echezeaux Grand Cru (11/13/2025)
Barrel Sample - Very elegant but expressive. Pure sweet red and black fruit, very floral, Asian spice, sweet spices and fine mineral. Beautifully integrated palate, finely layered red and black fruit, silky and beautifully detailed, perfect amount of acidity and mineral, and a seamless long pure red and black fruit driven floral finish. This will drink well from the get go. (95 points) - 2024 Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair Grands-Echezeaux - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Grands-Echezeaux Grand Cru (11/13/2025)
Barrel Sample - Beautifully floral concentrated black fruit with hints of red fruit, licorice, ink, rose, subtle Vosne spice, sweet spices, and fine mineral. Excellent concentration, generous black fruit; round and full, yet silky and weightless, with the perfect amount of acidity and mineral and a seamless pure black fruit driven finish. This complex wine is already perfectly enjoyable, with a very sensual palate. (96 points) - 2024 Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair La Romanée - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, La Romanée Grand Cru (11/13/2025)
Barrel Sample - Expressive nose displaying perfectly pure sweet black fruit, blackberry and black cherry, espresso beans, rose and lavender, sap, sesame/ toasted oak, Vosne spice, liquid smoke, sweet spices and fine mineral. Already showing perfectly integrated palate, finely layered perfectly ripe black fruit, rich and full bodies but also airy and fluid, perfect amount of acidity and mineral, and a seamless long pure black fruit driven finish. This will be a very special wine. For my palate, the 24 La Romanee is a level above all the other cuvees in 2024. (99 points)
Restaurant So
This is a busy restaurant, more like a bistro, that is run by a Japanese couple. The menu choices are simple, i.e. two or three starters, two main and two desserts. There were a lot of Japanese clients.
Very good value
Poor wine service
- 2018 Guffens-Heynen Mâcon-Pierreclos Le Chavigne - France, Burgundy, Mâconnais, Mâcon-Pierreclos (11/14/2025)
Very ripe yellow citrus fruit, powerful and concentrated but not terribly complex. Dense and oily, but perhaps a bit cloying and lacking precision. It has a natural-wine impression. This reminds me of the ’95 Verget wines that Bob Parker scored highly but were almost all premoxed. Apparently Guffens-Heynen wines are once again highly sought after. Life’s irony. (89 points) - 2011 Domaine Dujac Clos St. Denis - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos St. Denis Grand Cru (11/13/2025)
I tasted the wine from the barrel and noticed strong pyrazine. Medium expressive, displaying concentrated slightly dry black fruit, a hint of green/pyrazine, cedar, dark spices, and earth. Excellent concentration, generous ripe and unripe black fruit coexist, with slightly grainy tannins, medium acidity, earthy mineral, and a medium long, ripe black-fruit-driven finish with pyrazine on the end. It will be interesting to revisit this wine in another decade, i.e. Will the green note become less obvious and evolve into a different expression? (90 points) - 2017 Emmanuel Rouget Echezeaux - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Echezeaux Grand Cru (11/13/2025)
Corked. The proprietress takes the bottle back. She returns and insists that the wine is fine, refusing to replace it. She suggests decanting, but it is clearly corked. She could have sent the bottle back to get replaced at the domaine. What was truly uncalled for, however, was her talking about us to her Japanese clients, without realizing that one of us is fluent in Japanese. Wrong on so many levels. (NR/flawed)
Meo Camuzet
Reduced yields led to the blending of several premier crus into a single cuvée in Nuits-Saint-Georges and Chambolle. Some of the wines were difficult to assess and clearly needed more time.
- 2024 Méo-Camuzet Frère et Sœurs Chambolle-Musigny - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny (11/14/2025)
Barrel Tasting - It was recently racked and a bit harsh and disjointed. Not rated - 2024 Domaine Méo-Camuzet Vosne-Romanée - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée (11/14/2025)
Barrel Tasting - Recently racked but reasonably expressive. Cool black fruit, silky, a hint of toasted oak, dark spices and earth. Very good concentration, generous black fruit, silky and fluid, bright acidity, earthy mineral, fine tannins and a medium to long generous cool black fruit driven finish. (91 points) - 2024 Domaine Méo-Camuzet Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru (11/14/2025)
Barrel Tasting - Boudot and Murgers combined. Generous perfectly succulent black fruit, lavender, licorice, ink, rose and limestone. Very good concentration, layers upon layers of concentrated black fruit, rich and full, bright acidity, earthy mineral, and a medium to long concentrated black fruit driven finish with licorice at the end. This is a concentrated black fruit driven NSG. (92 points) - 2024 Domaine Méo-Camuzet Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Chaumes - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru (11/14/2025)
Barrel Tasting - Expressive nose displaying concentrated black fruit, a hint of oak, rose, perfume, cedar, mocha, sweet spices and limestone. Very good concentration, generous black fruit, round and full, bright acidity and good mineral, and a medium to long sweet black fruit driven finish. It slightly lacks finesse. (92 points) - 2024 Méo-Camuzet Frère et Sœurs Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru (11/14/2025)
Barrel Tasting - Cuvee that includes five different vineyards, expressive nose displaying generous pure red and black fruit, strawberry jelly, black cherry, rose, smoke, a hint of sesame, spicy spices and limestone. Very good concentration, generous red and black fruit, silky, pure and sensual, good acidity, fine mineral, and a long sweet red and black fruit driven floral finish. This will be a pretty Chambolle with Meo signature. (93 points) - 2024 Domaine Méo-Camuzet Clos Vougeot - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos Vougeot Grand Cru (11/14/2025)
Barrel Tasting - Clearly a step up. Expressive nose displaying generous pure black fruit, rose, grilled cep, a hint of oak, sweet spices and fine mineral. Very good concentration, generous pure black fruit, silky, refined and round, perfect amount of acidity and mineral, and a long pure black fruit driven finish with a hint of rose at the end. Really nice showing. (95 points) - 2024 Domaine Méo-Camuzet Corton-Perrières - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru (11/14/2025)
Barrel Tasting - Barrel Tasting - Expressive nose displaying concentrated black fruit with a hint of red, blackberry concentrate, raspberry, a touch of stem, sweet spices, and earth. Excellent concentration, generous black and red fruit, full body and firm, bright acidity, earthy mineral, pronounced tannins, and a long concentrated black and red fruit driven finish. This is a very full and structured wine. (93 points) - 2024 Domaine Méo-Camuzet Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Brûlées - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru (11/14/2025)
Barrel Tasting - Beautiful refined nose displaying pure black fruit, blackberry concentrated, crushed blackberry, licorice, a hint of smoke and toasted oak, rose, sweet spices and limestone. Excellent concentration, finely layered pure black fruit, cool, silky and precise, perfect amount of acidity and mineral, and a seamless long generous prue black fruit driven floral finish with licorice at the end. Perhaps the best QPR from the domaine, relatively speaking. (94 points) - 2024 Domaine Méo-Camuzet Richebourg - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Richebourg Grand Cru (11/14/2025)
Barrel Tasting - Exquisite nose displaying perfectly ripe black fruit, blackberry concentrated, black cherry, liquid smoke, sesame, Vosne spice, rose, sweet spices and limestone. Excellent concentration, layers upon layers of pure black fruit, silky and airy, perfect amount of acidity and fine mineral, and a long pure black fruit driven finish. This is a step up from the Brulee, i.e. more concentration and complexity. This is a complex and sexy wine. (98 points)
Dinner
This was my last dinner before heading home. The wines were excellent.
- 2019 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Cuvée Duvault-Blochet - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru (11/14/2025)
Expressive nose displaying very ripe black fruit, blackberry jam, blackberry liqueur, a hint of stem, licorice, Vosne spice, iron, dark spices, and earth. Excellent concentration, layers upon layers of very ripe, concentrated black fruit, rich, chewy, and full, bright acidity, iron mineral, fine tannins, and a long, ripe black fruit driven finish with a hint of stem and soy at the end. It is a bit awkward and disjointed at the moment. Based on my experience, a young DRC can show an overripe/sur maturite fruit expression that dissipates with time. To get a glimpse of its future, coat a large Burgundy glass and smell; the fruit should become very refined and perfumed, floral with rose and lavender notes, and complemented by beautiful Vosne spice. Best to open in another decade, or try a small pour in a large glass and enjoy over a few hours. (94 points) - 2012 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (11/14/2025)
Similar color as the 14, pale red with a hint of brown, but more intense core. Classic Rayas nose displaying dry cherry, cherry pie, brown sugar, tobacco, garrigue, cinnamon and limestone. Excellent concentration, subtle sweet slightly dry red fruit, silky and fluid, medium acidity, fine mineral, and a long subtle red fruit driven finish with brown sugar and cinnamon at the end. The expression is similar to the 14 but more concentrated fruit to balance the very mature expression. (96 points) - 2007 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Romanée St. Vivant - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Romanée St. Vivant Grand Cru (11/14/2025)
Beautiful mature nose displaying subtle red fruit, strawberry with a hint of blackberry, strong sous bois, stem, Asian spice and iron mineral. Perfectly integrated palate, subtle delicious black fruit, super silky and weightless, perfect amount of acidity, fine iron mineral, and a long sweet subtle black fruit driven finish with iron and Vosne spices at the end. This is at peak and drinking really well. Not as impressive as the 06 but very pretty and classic. This seems more delicate than the February bottle that I had with Kelly Walker. (96 points) - 2014 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Corton Domaine Prince Florent de Merode - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru (11/14/2025)
Expressive nose displaying concentrated, perfectly ripe red fruit, cherry compote, strawberry, a hint of DRC stem, sous-bois, cinnamon, chamomile, Vosne spice, and fine mineral notes. Excellent concentration, layers upon layers of sweet red fruit, rich and full, sweet and spicy, with bright acidity, very fine tannins, and a long, sweet, red-fruit-driven finish with stem and spicy notes at the end. Showing noticeable sous-bois but also generous fruit. As usual, the DRC typicity overwhelms the masculine Corton terroir. Drinking really well. (95 points) - 2014 Clos Rougeard (Foucault) Saumur Blanc Brézé - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur (11/14/2025)
Classic Breeze nose, very ripe yellow fruit, dry peach, apricot marmalade, orange peel, honey, sweet spices, lanoline, anise and shy mineral. Excellent concentration, dense and concentrated dry yellow fruit, rich and oily, medium acidity, shy mineral and a medium long ripe concentrated yellow fruit driven finish. This reminds me a Beacusatel VV. (94 points) - 2006 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Romanée St. Vivant - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Romanée St. Vivant Grand Cru (11/14/2025)
Expressive nose displaying rich, concentrated red and black fruit, strawberry, blackberry, cedar, cinnamon, mocha, Vosne spice, and a hint of stem and earth. Excellent concentration, layers upon layers of dense red and black fruit, rich, oily and full, perfect amount of acidity and fine mineral, silky tannins, and a long, concentrated, red-fruit-driven finish with cinnamon and mocha at the end. This is drinking incredibly well, more expressive and youthful than the ’07 RSV. (98 points)
Nightcap
We walked to a wine restaurant for a night cap. They surprisingly had a Ladoix from Prieure Roch!
- 2022 Domaine Prieuré Roch Ladoix Le Cloud Blanc - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Ladoix (11/14/2025)
Very ripe, slightly oxidative nose, caramel, peach marmalade, beeswax, sweet spices, and shy mineral. Excellent concentration, very ripe dark yellow fruit, dense and oily, bright acidity, subtle mineral, and a short to medium finish. A very ‘natural-wine’ impression, with excellent concentration but a bit simple. Nothing memorable. (88 points)
This was another memorable trip. Traveling without Kelly Walker felt unusual, and he will be greatly missed.
Posted from CellarTracker
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