Fantastic Jamet night which underscored the consistency of the producer. The near unanimous favourites were the '01 Brune, '07 and '10.
- 2004 Domaine Jamet Côte-Rôtie - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
Initially a little muted on both nose and palate alongside the '06 but gained weight and stature with air. Not the most refined but better depth than the '06. (93 pts.) - 2006 Domaine Jamet Côte-Rôtie - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
Initially more expressive than the '04, and probably the lightest and most elegant expression today. However, the polish didn’t mask the lack of depth as it became looser with air. Among the weaker wines in the line-up but still a superb wine. (92 pts.) - 2005 Domaine Jamet Côte-Rôtie - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
Surprisingly approachable and less tannic than I expected, but still quite black-fruited and plummy. I liked it initially but with air the warm vintage was obvious. Agree with a friend who said this was the weakest in the line-up tonight. (91 pts.) - 2007 Domaine Jamet Côte-Rôtie - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
Incredibly expressive and I noted that this was the first Jamet nose in the line-up, with pretty but wild dark fruit and a slight mocha note. Open-knit and pleasurable but gained complexity with air. An exquisite wine. (94 pts.) - 2009 Domaine Jamet Côte-Rôtie - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
Found this similar to the '05 initially with a denser, darker nature but was definitely more elegant and slightly candied on the finish. Probably the softest and highest in alcohol tonight but like what a previous taster said, won’t kick this out of bed anytime soon. (92 pts.) - 2010 Domaine Jamet Côte-Rôtie - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
Initially even darker and more concentrated than the '09, but after some time I agreed with the rest that this was a superior wine. Immense stuffing that will unfurl with age, similar to the superb late '90s tasted previously. Incredibly sophistication to this. (94 pts.) - 1999 Domaine Jamet Côte-Rôtie - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
Made in a darker vein, similar to the warm vintages but the extra years gave it the wild, smoky tobacco and mocha nose that I associate with Jamet that became more obvious with air. Good depth but slightly rustic for my preference, not as explosive as the bottle two years ago. (93 pts.) - 2001 Domaine Jamet Côte-Rôtie Côte Brune - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
At the risk of repeating PCLIN who generously brought this, the most iron fist in velvet glove of them all tonight with transparent dark red fruit that could compete against the best Burgundies. But despite being the clear WOTN, also agree that it wasn’t as wow as the other vintages that we tasted before. (95 pts.) - 1961 Remoissenet Père et Fils Beaune 1er Cru Marconnets - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Beaune 1er Cru
Initially guessed Burgundy from the '70s but I hesitated with the structure and depth unless it was a GC, so was genuinely shocked that it was a '61 (but said that it had to be a CdB to have sufficient structure to last). As often the case with such wines, it didn’t fade and improved with air. Seriously impressive for a 65 yo wine. (94 pts.) - 2007 Franck Balthazar Cornas Chaillot - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas
Brought this as an extra to compare against the Jamets as it is one of my favourite northern Rhone producers, but unfortunately oxidised despite the perfect cork. NR (flawed) - 1990 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Brune et Blonde - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
Friend’s generous extra. My first instinct was a '90s modern northern Rhone Syrah in the vein of Rostaing so pretty happy with my guess. Darker-fruited with well-integrated oak from age, but lacked a bit of lift alongside the Jamets even though it was pleasurable. Old Guigals are always a treat. (91 pts.)
- 2015 Arnaud Ente Bourgogne Blanc - France, Burgundy, Bourgogne Blanc (4/4/2026)
Butter popcorn on the nose with hints of brioche. Initially came across as slightly dilute, but gained weight and presence with air as a saline streak developed. Not the most complex but this had superb texture, elegance, and precision for its level. Always love the intensity of Ente’s wines but questionable QPR. (92 pts.) - 2019 Domaine des Croix Beaune 1er Cru Bressandes - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Beaune 1er Cru (3/4/2026)
A terrific showing, would have guessed Vosne given the gentle spice and remarkably refined tannins. Mostly red fruit despite the 14.5% alcohol which wasn’t obvious at all, purity reflected the strong vintage without being candied. First time with this producer and very impressed. (92 pts.)
PHYLLIS’S BIRTHDAY - (5/4/2026)
- NV Ulysse Collin Champagne Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut (2020) 48 mois Les Maillons - France, Champagne
Disgorged Jan 2025. Very strong showing especially as I haven’t been impressed by this cuvee. Initially a little coarse but gained composure with air as it became more vinous and expressive. Quite broad shouldered and expressive with good depth, albeit less refined compared to Les Roises and Les Enfers. (93 pts.) - NV Michel Fallon Champagne Brigitte Fallon Avysia Avize - France, Champagne
Disgorged 4 May 2023. Knew the identity of this wine so didn’t guess. Rich, oxidative-leaning style with toasty notes that added complexity and a subtle sweetness that led most to guess house. Rounded and generous but really liked the crisp citrus fruit that kept it from being heavy. Layered, expressive, and distinctive. First experience with this producer and very compelling; my first true Selosse disciple. (94 pts.) - 2020 Domaine Bernard-Bonin Meursault 1er Cru Les Charmes-Dessus - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault 1er Cru
A clear step up from the BBs that I tried before. Some reduction at first, combined saline tension with lifted aromatics and textural precision. Exhibited richness and cut that presented almost like a still Champagne (especially alongside the Fallon). Similar to the Dancer, this had both old-school richness and new-school zing. (94 pts.) - 2019 Vincent Dancer Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru La Romanée - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru
The producer signature felt immediately recognisable so I spent some time figuring it out, eventually landing on Ramonet because of the waxy, rounded texture and slight minty, bitter finish (though I did venture Coche because of the butterscotch note!). A certain electricity and balance between richness and tension to the wines that I love before Theo’s takeover. Really liked both whites tonight. (94 pts.) - 1998 Domaine Jean Grivot Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru
Austere and firm tannins with tertiary development, but with high acidity so I guessed '97 initially (having known that it was a Vosne). Quite rustic with savoury notes in an old-school way but not especially giving. (91 pts.) - 2019 Jean-Jacques Confuron Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru
Quite polished but young with a distinct cola note; very vibrant dark cherry fruit so guessed '19 or '20. Quite glossy but good lift, reminded me of some H. Boillot reds that I tried before. Not ready for me but enjoyable enough. (92 pts.) - 2006 Domaine Perrot-Minot Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru La Combe d’Orveau Vieilles Vignes - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru
Brought for a friend. Much better showing than the last time as this was much more graceful and elegant. Silky texture with fine tannins that most managed to guess as a Chambolle. Very poised and harmonious, didn’t disgrace itself alongside the Roumiers tonight. Much prettier than I expected and made me want to seek out more of this producer’s wines. (94 pts.) - 2020 Domaine Gerard Peirazeau et Fils Bonnes Mares - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Bonnes Mares Grand Cru
My contribution. Youthful and bold but surprisingly approachable for a GC at this age. Some cola and spice on the nose but otherwise felt that the oak was very well-integrated despite the slightly modern sheen. Didn’t have the GC depth (which may come with time) but think most enjoyed this. Happy to seek out this producer’s other wines based on this showing. (93 pts.) - 2008 Domaine G. Roumier / Christophe Roumier Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Cras - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru
Fully confirmed my fleeting encounter last year. Silky, sensual, and incredibly detailed, I immediately asked a friend if this was a Roumier. So refined and delicately balanced behind a tannic backbone, wiith such a floral and lifted profile. Much more expressive than the '07 BM alongside which unfortunately I didn’t call as a Roumier. Clearly WOTN for me (and I think many others). (95 pts.) - 2007 Domaine G. Roumier / Christophe Roumier Bonnes Mares - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Bonnes Mares Grand Cru
Initially quite tannic and structured but some spice so I thought Vosne initially, but eventually guessed a more masculine Chambolle maker like Groffier or Vogue because of the more floral nature. Very reserved at first but revealed its pedigree in the glass as the dark cherry fruit became more expressive and less coiled. Would leave this for at least 20 more years. (93 pts.)
