Côte de Nuits

• Vosne-Romanée

Count me among those who find a certain greenness to the 2004 Burgundies.  Others at the table loved this wine and either didn't find that quality or didn't mind it.  Ruby/purple in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, a bit of earthiness and an herbal quality hanging around the background.  It comes across as a sort fresh thyme mixed with cilantro.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, black cherries, some cherries, herbal notes and char.  It is also complex and layered.  It works better with food and it would be nice with fresh sashimi.  It has plenty

From magnum.  This bottle seemed to get mixed reactions from the table.  Some thought it needed a long decant and others were more positive.  I found it young, but very enjoyable.  Like many Pinots, a lot depends on what style you like best.  This seemed on the darker, more ripe side especially in this format.  Deep ruby in color, purple at the core, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, cherries, black tea, char, and slight earthiness.  Great texture.  Good energy.  Light tannins.  On the palate, black cherries, cherries, with some char and earthiness/minerality.  Long fin

A bit bigger and riper than a "typical" Charmes but quite enjoyable.  Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright, showing no bricking.  The nose is great.  Earthy with cherries and spice along with a nice minerality.  Medium to full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this is vibrant and drinking well.  Cherries, some black cherries and underlying minerality.  Some complexity.  Good acidity.  This is getting close to peak.  While it may never be ethereal, it is very enjoyable.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  It would work well with coq au vin, of course.  

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.  

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.  

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".  

Wow.  Wonderful showing for this wine.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is deep (and great) with cherries, black cherries, roasted meats, spice and slight  dark chocolate.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is complex and layered.  Black cherries, slight sour cherries, and spice with underlying earthiness.  Long finish.  This is great on its own and would be nice to slowly savor but it will work well with food.  Roasted duck would be a nice match.  This bottle was about at peak, but should easily go another ten to fifteen years.  

Serafin has always been a great source of "value" in Burgundy although "value" in Burgundy is relevant.  Ruby in color, a bit flat though clear.  The nose has cherries, some rhubarb, but it is ripe (nothing green).  Also a bit of spice.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is a bit one dimensional.  Perhaps it is just young.  Nice cherry fruit and some toasted oak.  Moderate finish.  A bit disappointing as there is little value left.  drink over the next seven to ten years.  Better with food.  This would work well with roasted chicken.  

Great showing for this Premier Cru from the excellent 2005 vintage.  Ruby/purple in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, chervil and spice.  Medium bodied. On the palate, this is bigger than on the nose.  Cherries, black cherries with some spice.  Long finish.  Drinking well at age 17, this should go another ten to fifteen more years.  Better with food, this would work well with a seared Tuna Steak with a seared crust.

These wines don't seem to get the respect that other Bourgogne's get and that is a shame.  This was delicious.  It is more understated, but that is not a bad thing in Burgundy.  Light ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cranberries, rhubarb, cherries and slight char.  Medium bodied.  A bit riper on the palate with cherries and slight rhubarb.  Light tannins.  Sour/tart cherries on the finish.  This works better with food than on its own.  Sweet and sour Pork would work well.