1996 Jean Raphet Charmes-Chambertin, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1996
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$185.00USD

Ruby in color, some browning at the edges.  The nose has cherries, spice, dried flowers, and slight liqueur notes.  Medium bodied with a lovely, smooth texture.  On the palate, there is some fresh cherries but this is teetering at the edge.  Dried, macerated cherries with spice and a bit of earthy funk.  Slightly drying at the finish.  This is complex and contemplative but still would be better with food.  Maybe some crusty beread and Epoisses cheese?  Drink up.  

2020 Domaine Louis Michel Chablis Grand Cru Vaudésir, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$90.00USD

This is quite good if still young.  A more feminine side of Chablis.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has apples, slight anise and gun powder (reduction?).  Medium bodied.  Good balance.  On the palate, this drinks very smooth.  Lemon cream notes.  Quite refreshing.  Deep, it does open up in the glass but could really benefit from more cellar time.  Nice finish.  This drinks well on its own but with some oysters or other sea food, it would be even better.  Cellar for another few years and drink for ten to fifteen after that.  

2018 Sebastien Dampt Chablis 1er Cru Les Beugnons, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

In the world of Chablis, there are some exceptional producers but only a couple of those are "affordable".  Sebastian Dampt is one of them and that is especially true of the 1er Crus.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has green apples, slight grapefruits, slight gunpowder and spice.  Full bodied.  Excellent acidity.  On the palate, this is still a bit tight but opens quickly in the glass.  Green apples, grapefruits and slight char.  Long finish.  Delicious on its own, this is even better with food.  Of course, oysters would work very well, but so does a fruit salad.  Drink

2006 Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Cherbaudes Vieille Vigne

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$249.00USD

Ruby in color, some browning, but appropriate for age 17.  Clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, some earthy funk/Merde notes, spice and slight darker cherry notes.  Medium to full bodied.  Light tannins.  Nice balance.  On the palate, cherries, black cherries and earthiness.  Complex.  Bigger on the nose than the palate.  Nice finish.  Overall, everything one could ask from a 17 year old 1er Cru from a good/not great vintage.  It went very well with Tofu and Veggies (at a Japanese Restaurant).  Pretty much at peak now, but still five to ten more top years left.  

2010 Maison Ilan Chambertin, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$275.00USD

Red/brown in color, mostly clear and bright.  It does look slightly older than expected, but just a bit.  The nose shows fresh strawberries, some cherries, slight clay.  It is a persistent nose although much more "feminine".  Soft texture.  On the palate, cherries and sour cherries.  Plenty to depth and complexity.  Good energy.  Nice finish.  This is drinking very well and at age 13 it seems very close to peak.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  It is nice on its own but better with foods.  It went well with assorted flat bread "pizzas".  

2017 Maison Dampt Chablis Grand Cru Bougros, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Drank this bottle among friends at the end of an evening and it was perfect in that spot.  Refreshing and energetic.  Light golden in color with green hues, clear and bright.  The nose has green apples, slight quince, minerality and a tweak of lemons.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is crisp and refreshing on a beautiful summer evening.  Flavors of citrus and green apples with slight minerals.  Long finish.  Great on its own, this is food friendly and would work well with vegetarian or seafood dishes.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  

2002 Domaine / Maison Vincent Girardin Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, France, Burgundy, Cote de Beaune, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2002
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

Great showing for this bottle.  This is a big, round white Burgundy that at age 21, is just about at peak.  Deep golden in color with some orange hues, clear and bright.  The color likely influenced by both the time spent in oak and the age of the wine, but certainly proper.  The nose is nice with red apples, with air, some lemon cream, just a very slight brown sugar note, and great minerality.  Almost viscous, but crisp at the same time gives this a nice texture.

2005 Bouchard Père et Fils Beaune 1er Cru Clos de la Mousse, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

Great showing for this 1er Cru.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, spice and slight sandalwood.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Great texture.  On the palate, this is complex and layered.  Cherry fruit with some earthiness and spice.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  This drinks well on its own but better with food.  This would be nice with Salmon.  Drink over the next ten years.  

2006 Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine Vissoux Beaujolais Vieilles Vignes Cuvée Traditionnelle, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

Does Beaujolais age?  This was opened at a recent tasting of Beaujolais to show that it really does.  Not even a specific Cru, with the original $15 price sticker still on the bottle, this was fresh and drinking well.  Is it an amazing wine?  No, but it is solid and enjoyable.  Ruby in color with some darker swirls.  The nose has fresh cherry fruit and slight candy.  Medium bodied.  No tannins.  On the palate, cherries with some depth.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This drinks nicely on its own and would work great with a mushroom pizza.  

2019 Château de La Chaize Brouilly, France, Beaujolais, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$25.99USD

A new winery for me.  This is very nice.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, slight candied cherries and slighter citrus.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this has tart acidity.  Cherries with slight citrus.  Nice finish.  This drinks well on its own and will work well with food.  A nice wine with Mushroom Quiche.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  A great value!

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