First two wines were served blind. The third one I brought so there was no mystery.
2005 Drappier Champagne Grande Sendrée Rosé
Early notes on this (TN: Some Rosé Champagnes - WINE TALK - WineBerserkers) suggested an intriguing wine which could work well with food. I failed to recognise the wine not because it was so different from when first tasted but because I just could not remember.
The appearance of this is dark rosé veering toward hints of orange and brown. Bouquet suggested rich red fruit and decayed leaves and oxidative notes. The palate has weight and quite of bit of dosage. It did work well with food though. I remain intrigued rather than bowled over. Not a classic Rosé Champagne but that in itself makes it an appealing proposition.
2010 Domaine / Maison Vincent Girardin Meursault 1er Cru Les Perrières
Great robe: pale gold and green hue. First sniff, this speaks of Puligny immediately: elegant and precise minerality, chalkiness, and acacia. The fruit is pure, detailed but contained. Superb. The palate reveals more weight and more yellow and golden fruit character than what I would associate with a Puligny. There is richness and weight on the palate and superb elegance. Lively but perfectly integrated acidity. Utterly impressive and a long life in front.
2001 Domaine / Maison Vincent Girardin Chambertin-Clos de Bèze
Rich and darkish robe with very slight sign of evolution on the rim and a core which remains translucid. The bouquet is beautifully expressive. Number 7 immediately explodes “Gevrey”. The good Doctor proposes 2000. The fruit evokes tiny red berries with a beautiful balance of sweet fruit and skin tannins and acidity. A totally charming and wild Gevrey character runs through this: sous-bois, unami and smoky/grilled gibier (some of the oak influence possibly but none of us described this as “oakyness”). The palate has concentration and weight. All in balance.
Those two Girardins really hit the spot tonight.
