Burgundy

• Beaujolais
  • Brouilly
  • Chiroubles
  • Morgon
• Bourgogne
• Chablis
• Côte de Nuits
  • Vosne-Romanée
• Mercurey

This kept improving after the cork was pulled but it took at least an hour to blow off its bottle stink.  At the two hour mark it finally hit its apogee.  If opening soon, give it some air.  From a vintage that does have its issues, this showed very well.  Ruby in color with some browning, clear.  The nose initially had some wet cardboard, but thankfully that blew off, so doubtful it was an off bottle.  In fact, at the two hour mark it showed cherries, dust, cedar and slight dry forest floor.  Medium bodied.  At the two hour mark, the palate had nice cherries, some slight macerated cherries

A nice value in red Burgundy  (Pinot Noir) wine from a top negociant.  Ruby in color, magenta swirls, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, some sandalwood and a bit of nutmeg.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, nice, easy drinking, cherry flavors.  Short finish.  This drinks well on its own and will work nicely with salmon or lighter foods.  Drink over the next couple of years.  

Yes, it is just a Bourgogne, but it is Leroy, and she makes some of the best Bourgogne Blancs.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  This has a great nose with Vanilla and Fuji apples.  Slight smoke.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is rich with nice minerality.  Lemony notes.  Long finish.  This got better with air.  This should drink well for the next decade at least.  It will work on its own and will be great with sea food.  

Hard to beat Gouges for a combination of price, quality and ageability in Burgundy.  At age 19, this one is still youthful although drinking well.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, some black cherries, slight sandalwood and just a hint of funk.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this has depth and complexity.  Cherry fruit with some earthiness underneath.  Nice acidity.  Long finish.  This should continue to drink well for another decade.  It drinks well on its own but will work better with food.  Roast chicken would be a nice match.  

Purchased on release and well cellared, this has help up great.  Deep garnet in color with some purple hues, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, slight earthiness, a hint of floral notes.  Uncharacteristically for this winery, this was clean with no animal or barnyard notes.  Medium to full bodied.  Lively.  No sign of age.  On the palate, vibrant cherry and black cherry fruit with a modicum of complexity.  Long finish.  Different bottles will vary at this stage, so it probably should be drunk sooner than later, but this bottle would have gone another ten.  Nice with food than

Crazy history on this winery but I am not going into that here.  This particular bottle was very nice.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, spice, and slight smoke.  Maybe a hint of funk.  Medium bodied with slight tannins.  On the palate, this is mature and drinking well.  Cherries, slight rhubarb and earthy undertones.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This should continue to drink well for another eight to ten years.  Lamb chops would work well.  

Garnet in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is quite tight.  Even with a lot of coaxing, this seemed closed for business.  On the palate, this is a bit more open, especially with some air.  Black cherry fruit, some cherries and spice.  Good mouthfeel and balance.  Long finish.  This needs another five to ten years and should drink well for ten to fifteen after that.  This would work well with a Wild Mushroom Risotto.  

Very nice showing for this.  It seems to be just about at peak right now.  Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, black cherries and slight baking spice.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, light tannins.  Black cherry fruit with some spice.  Complex with tight layering.  Great mouthfeel.  Long finish.  This should drink well over the next ten to twelve years.  This will work well with aGarlic-butter Roast Chicken.  

From 70 year old vines in Burgundy, this is a very nice Chardonnay.  Light golden/green in color, clear and bright.  The nose has minerals, lemons, hazelnuts and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, the lemons and minerals come thru.  Nice balanced.  Easy to drink.  drink this over the next ten to twelve years.  Nice on its own, this will be even better with lighter foods or sea food.  Tuna steaks would be a nice match.  

This is the basic Domaine bottling (they also make one that doesn't list Domaine that is a negociant blend).  Fevre is about the best producer of affordable Chablis.  Light golden in color with some green.  The nose has lemons, slight green apples and a hint of chalk.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, the lemons and slight green apples come out with a bit of chalk/minerals underneath.  Lots of energy here.  Nice acidity.  Long finish.  A great value in white Burgundy.  This drinks great on its own but will work better with food.  Oysters or clams are classic but any seafood should work.  Drin