Tasting notes


2007, Chambolle-Musigny Vieilles Vignes Lignier-Michelot Medium purplish colour. Ripe, fruity nose. Dark cherries, blackberries, some spices and a hint of oak. Ripe, round, juicy and sweetish. Rather concentrated, considering both the vintage and the appellation. Modern, sexy, concentrated style, yet there is still plenty of freshness. Could do with a little more finesse. Round, intense finish. Ripe, sweetish. Some licorice. Tasted: January 2010 Rating: 8-

2007, Gevrey-Chambertin "La Croix des Champs" Thibault Liger-Belair Bright cherry red. Lovely nose! Stony, spicy, a bit flowery. Red berry fruit. Very pure, cool fruit. Medium bodied. Good intensity. Lots of energy. Quite long, minerally finish. Good grip, ripe tannins. Great stuff. Everyone who says 2007 isn't a good year for red Burgundy should try this wine. Tasted: December 2009 Rating: 8+

2007, Meursault, David Butterfield Pale golden colour. Great nose that cries out: Meursault! Very expressive, with spices, minerals, flowers, ripe yellow fruit and a pleasant whiff of oak. Very fresh on the palate, but at the same time round, rich, even a bit fat. Great balance; everything fits. Considerable lenght. Nice ripe fruit on the finish, as well as minerals and a little oaky accent. Meursault as it's supposed to be. Tasting: December 2008 Rating: 8,5

2006, Fixin 1er cru Hervelets, Domaine Bart Medium cherry red. At first the nose is closed, later it reveals nicely ripe cherry and blackberry with a touch of almond. Later still: some foresty notes. Nice fruit, quite concentrated, ripe and fleshy. But also a bit plump. Some spices, and good acidity. Medium-long finish with some soy sauce, some minerals and some (soft) tannins. Not the most elegant wine, but it's drinking well. Tasted: November 2009 Rating: 7,5

2000, Gevrey-Chambertin, Lignier-Michelot Bright cherry red. Lovely sensual nose! Ripe, sweet cherry and strawberry. A hint of nougat. Some earth. Round, sweet and super-silky. Lots of ripe red fruits. Quite light-bodied, yet with good depth. Good freshness too. Medium-long finish with very smooth tannins. This is a damn tasty Gevrey! Tasted: November 2009 Rating: 8+

2007, Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits blanc Aurélien Verdet Pale colour. Stylish nose, floral, with white fruits and some spices. Gently oaky. Minerals (pierre a fusil). Good concentration and intensity. Very pure and crisp. Nice zesty acidity. Rather long, refreshing finish. Some salty minerals and a little (pleasant) bitterness. Very nice, pure Hautes-Côtes. Tasted: October 2009 Rating: 8+

2002, Vosne-Romanee 1er cru Les Beaux Monts Domaine Bertagna Full cherry red. Seductive nose with ripe dark fruit, vanilla (oak) some spices and earth. Round, ripe and silky soft. Stylish. Very good acidity, very nice fruit. Good grip on the finish. Minerals and (firm but fine) tannins. Some coconut. Good length. Tasted: October 2009 Rating: 8+

Burgundy tasting 2006, Puligny-Montrachet 1er cru Folatieres, En la Richarde, Benoit Ente Very ripe nose, tropical fruits. Silky soft on the palate, full, fat, juicy. Good freshness. Full, soft finish with good grip and some minerals. Very good length. 2006, Meursault "Clos des Ambres", Arnaud Ente Intense nose, minerally and floral, touch of well-integrated oak. A bit nutty as well. Very concentrated and intense, with great purity and freshness. Ripe fruit and some fatness. Very long, very persistant, minerally finish. 2007, Echezeaux "Loachausses", Anne Gros Very pale colour. Very expressive nose, lovely pinot fruit, ripe cherry and strawberry and some floral notes. Light bodied, superjuicy, very elegant. Sweetish soft ripe fruit. Maybe lacking some structure for its level, but it is drinking so well! Good finish, soft, sweetish but with some nice minerality. 1998, Corton-Bressandes, Vincent Girardin Ripened nose, mushroom, earth and nice fruit. A bit spicy and floral. Rich fruit on the palate, fresh and youthful. Solid structure. Long, muscular finish. 1981, Chambertin, Trapet Very atractive, complexe nose. Floral and spicy. Mushroom, wet forest, liquorice. Old, but by no means lifeless. Good fresh fruit. Spicy. A bit thin, but reasonable lenght and grip. October 2009

2007, Chassagne-Montrachet, Vincent Dancer Pale colour, greenish yellow. Floral nose, with spices and some new oak. Round, juicy and quite full. Peach, apricot. Soft acidity. Some (distant) oaky notes. Good depth. Very accessible, no harsh acidity. Rather long finish, fruity and minerally. Very flattering, well balanced Chassagne. Tasted: October 2009 Rating: 8

2006, Morey-Saint-Denis En la Rue de Vergy Lignier-Michelot Bright red. Spicy, aromatic nose. Autumn leafs, blackberry, blackcurrant. Nice! Fresh, cool pinot fruit. Pure, juicy, with a bit of sweetness. Medium bodied, with good intensity. Long finish, spicy and a bit rustic. Mouth-coating but ripe tannins. Very good Morey village! Tasted: October 2009 Rating: 8+

Aligotasting Picture: Barry Rothof Barry came up with the idea to organise a aligoté tasting. This turned out to be a lot more fun than you might expect. In the hands of talented winemakers this underrated grape variety can produce great wines! 2006 Bourgogne Aligoté, Domaine Goisot Ripe fruit and some nuts on the nose. Round on the palate, tropical fruits, soft acidity. Some sweetness. Good intensity, good lenght. Very pleasant, very gulpable. (Merci Christophe for donating this bottle!) 2007 Bouzeron, A. et P. de Villaine Zesty nose with some white flowers. Tight, with lively acidity. Green apple and grapefruit. Good concentration. Long, minerally finish. 2006 Bourgogne Aligoté, Domaine Ramonet Unsavoury nose. Unpleasant and a bit sharp on the palate. Faulty bottle? 2006 Bourgogne Aligoté, Benoit Ente Expressive nose. Spices, hay, flowers. Round on the palate, almost a bit creamy. Ripe fruit yellow fruits, refreshing acidity. Some minerals on the finish. Really long! Very good Aligoté with a certain "Puligny character." 2006 Bourgogne Aligoté, Arnaud Ente Rich, ripe nose, a bit flowery. Round, soft and refined. Very fresh and pure. Long, minerally finish. Very good! 2005 Bourgogne Aligoté, Coche-Dury Some almond and ripe tropical fruits on the nose, but there is also a chemical touch. Juicy on the palate, with lots of zesty acidity. Very acid finish. A bit disappointing after the Ente's. 2006 Bourgogne Aligoté, Domaine Leroy Very expressive and complexe nose; full, ripe, earthy, smokey, spicy. Honey, flint. Very intense, ripe and concentrated. Great freshness and balance. Very long, stony finish. Incredible! 2005 Bourgogne Aligoté "Sous Chatelet", Domaine d'Auvenay Super nose! Very complex. Very nutty, with flint and earth. Touch of wood. Great balance, depth and refinement. Very powerful. The finish is dry, tight, mouth-coating, almost tannic and very, very long. It's aligoté Jim, but not as we know it... Very impressive! 2005 Morey-Saint-Denis 1er cru Monts Luisants, Domaine Ponsot Rather dark colour. Very ripe nose, a bit sherry-like. Ripe on the palate, with a bit honey. Good freshness. Tastes a bit like chenin blanc. Good grip on the finish. A bit strange and difficult wine at this stage. Needs time? September 2009

2006, Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes Denis Bachelet Medium red with a purple hue. Tight nose. Earth, blackcurrant and some licorice. Lovely fresh, dark fruit, with old-viney concentration. Quite firm. A bit earthy and spicy. Long finish, tight but intense. A bit tannic. Great stuff, but you should wait some time for this. Tasted: September 2009 Rating: 8

2007, Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune rouge Huber-Verdereau Transparent cherry red. Very aromatic nose: peppery, earthy, stemmy. Rhubarb and blackcurrant. Supple, round and juicy on the palate. Good fruit, good freshness. Pleasant medium-long finish. Spicy, with tender tannins. Tasted: September 2009 Rating: 8-

2006, Bourgogne rouge "Au Pelson", David Clark Full colour. Lovely nose! Farmyard and crisp black fruit, with a floral touch. Great purity and freshness on the palate. Dark cherries, redcurrant. Good depth and concentration. Soft and fresh finish, yet with a "bite". Good length. This is an excellent Bourgogne! Unfortunately, this was my last bottle... Tasted: August 2009 Rating: 8+

2005, Pouilly-Fuissé "Terroir de Fuissé" Olivier Merlin Pale golden colour. Very rich nose. Lots of vanilla and coconut. Ripe tropical fruits (banana, apricot). Some honey. Ripe and round, soft and juicy. Not too fat; sufficient freshness. Pineapple and ripe pear. Ripe fruits again on the finish, which give way to some stony minerals. Good lenght. Tasted: August 2009 Rating: 8/10

2007, Vosne-Romanée, Aurélien Verdet Light cherry red. Very fragrant, seductive nose. Lovely crisp red fruit. Some flowers and some wet stones. Great nose! A nice ripe softness on the palate. Light-bodied yet with good intensity and depth. Lots of pure, fresh fruit. Long lingering finish, with a gentle spiciness. This is just delicious! And awfully good considering the vintage. Tasted: August 2009 Rating: 9/10

2006, Bourgogne Aligoté, Arnaud Ente Pale golden yellow. Lovely rich, vibrant nose. A bit floral, some green herbs. Maybe just a little hint of oak. Round, juicy, quite full and concentrated. Soft, refined acidity. Very gulpable (in the best sense of the word). Good lenght. Good intensity on the finish, with a small, soft bitterness and some minerals. Nice, very refined Aligoté! Tasted: August 2009 Rating: 8,5/10

2001, Chambolle-Musigny 1er cru, Comte de Vogüé Cork soaked through almost to the top... Medium red. Lovely ripe nose. Candied red fruit, flowers, a sprinkle of cinnamon. Some minerals. This was the part of the wine. Soft and silky on the palate, but not a lot of depth or intensity. The wine seems a bit tired; lacks energy. It didn't improve over time. Not too long, uninspiring finish. Unfortunately, this wine didn't live up to the expectations. Tasted: August 2009 Rating: 6,5/10

2006, Bourgogne rouge, Hudelot-Noëllat Medium purple/red. Fresh, fruity nose with some spices and some earth. Fragrant, pure cherry fruit. It has a fair amount of acidity, but it's still round and velvety. Light bodied, but with good intensity. Medium long finish. Good grip, without being harsh. Good quality for this level. Tasted: July 2009 Rating: 7,5/10

2007, Saint-Aubin 1er cru En Remilly Sylvain Langoureau Light greenish yellow. Expressive nose of white flowers and citrus. A tiny hint of oak. In the mouth: intense, crisp, pure. Firm acidic backbone. Grapefruit and melon. Long, powerful finish. Stony and dry. Good stuff, but it needs some time to soften. Tasted: July 2009 Rating: 7,5/10

2006, Gevrey-Chambertin, Domaine Arlaud Medium purple/red colour. Rich, ripe nose with dark fruit and spices (clove, nutmeg). Ripe, sweet dark fruit on the palate. Lots of concentration and intensity, but with freshness to match. Long finish. Very intense. Spices and licorice. Firm, slightly oaky tannins. Big, masculine Gevrey. Nice. Tasted: July 2009 Rating: 8/10

2007, Beaune "Longbois", Domaine Berthelemot Berthelemot is a new domaine (based in Meursault) which came to life with the acquisition of the domaines Yves Darviot and Jean Garaudet by Brigitte Berthelemot. She appointed Marc Cugney (ex-Chanson) as wine maker. 2007 was the first vintage of this new estate. Light greenish yellow. At first the nose is grassy and zesty. With some air ripe notes are revealed, along with tropical fruits and some traces of oak. Round, almost creamy mouthfeel. Juicy. Soft, refreshing acidity. Melon, peach and some caramel. Medium long, soft finish with again caramel. Good minerally grip. Nice seductive wine, rather modern style, but with good freshness and intensity. Tasted: July 2009 Rating: 8/10

2007, Givry "Pied de Chaume", Domaine Joblot Lightish cherry red colour. Spicy and stony nose, along with red and black fruit (strawberry, cherry, blackberry). Juicy, fresh, fruity. Nice cherry fruit. Good concentration and intensity, especially considering the vintage. Good lenght. Lots of spices (coming from the elevage on barrels?) and lots of stony minerals on the finish. Grippy tannins. Tasted: July 2009 Rating: 8-/10

2006, Bourgogne blanc, Arnaud Ente Pale golden colour. Nice nose. Ripe white and yellow fruits (pear, mango) with some spiciness and a sprinkle of vanilla. Some minerals as well. Full, round, very juicy. Some fatness. Ripe tropical fruit, some vanilla, some aniseed. Rich, yet pure and very refined. Lip-smacking. Finishes round and soft, with some sweetness, but also with lovely refreshing acidity and a very pleasant bitterness. A bit nutty. Long! Great Bourgogne! If tasted blind you would probably guess it was a Meursault... and a very good one too! Tasted: June 2009 Rating: 9-/10

Janselijn Masterclass Christiaan Janselijn The high-light of the Wine and Food Festival in Amsterdam was a masterclass by Burgundy expert Christiaan Janselijn. I was lucky enough to be one of the very few people who could attend this special tasting... 2006 Morey-Saint-Denis 1er cru Clos des Monts Luisants, Ponsot Rather ripe nose, lovely yellow fruit, a bit nutty. Ripe and concentrated on the palate, lots of intensity, great acidic backbone. Long finish, tight, nicely mineral. Incredible wine (100% aligoté). 2006 Charmes-Chambertin "Vieilles Vignes", Denis Bachelet Beautiful nose, ripe red cherries, a bit earthy. Great fruit, very pure and fresh. Very refined, elegant style yet with very good intensity. Long, minerally finish. Yummy!! 2006 Charmes-Chambertin, Claude Dugat More full and ripe on the nose compared to the Bachelet. More modern, seductive and oaky. More full, more concentrated. Great intensity, but for me it lacks purity. A bit more tannic finish. Impressive wine. More masculine compared to Bachelet. 2006 Clos de la Roche "Cuvée Vieilles Vignes", Ponsot A bit restrained on the nose. There's some licorice and some earth. Juicy, fresh, lots of elegance and complexity. Some stony minerals. Great lenght, very soft tannins. Lovely wine! 2006 Chambertin Clos de Beze "Vieilles Vignes", Perrot-Minot Ripe nose, dark fruit, seductive. Some new oak. Full-bodied and concentrated. Ripe fruit. But good freshness as well. Long, quite firm finish. Nice. 2006 Vosne-Romanée 1er cru Aux Brulées, Meo-Camuzet Ripe nose, a bit animal. Quite concentrated but plump, it lacks complexity and finesse. Quite full on the finish. I tasted a 2001 of this very same wine two days before and that was great, so I guess this wine just needs some time. 2006 Vosne-Romanée 1er cru Cros Parentoux, Emmanuel Rouget Great nose, clean fruit, lots of complexity. Very pure and soft, yet very intense. Lovely acidity, great balance. Very long, elegant finish. This outshines a lot of grand crus! June 2009

Burgundy tasting What better way to spend a Friday evening than tasting great white Burgundies (and two lovely reds) with Burgundy lovers Chris & Barry, Christiaan and David. 2005 Bourgogne Chardonnay, Sauzet Tropical fruit on the nose. Ripe, juicy. Tropical fruit. A bit flabby. Little bitterness on the finish. 2004 Chablis 1er cru Fôrest, Dauvissat Floral nose, with minerals and some camembert cheese. Ripe fruit. Tight and minerally. Very fresh. Great intensity. Good lenght. 1995 Meursault 1er cru Perrieres, Maison Leroy Rather dark yellow colour. Very rich on the nose. Advanced but by no means oxydized. Nutty. Quite fat structure, but with good freshness and minerality. Nice lenght. 2007 Chassagne-Montrachet, Ramonet Citrus fruit on the nose, along with floral notes and minerals. Pure and tight, with ripe fruit underneath. Long refreshing finish. 2006 Meursault Grands Charrons, Michel Bouzereau Rich, ripe, nutty nose. Tres Meursault. Rich and soft, juicy, good freshness. Tight finish. 2006 Meursault 1er cru Genevrieres, Francois et Antoine Jobard Lovely minerally nose. Very pure and elegant. Silky soft, yet with good intensity. Long, tight finish with lots of minerals. 2002 Bourgogne blanc, Maison Leroy Slightly greenish yellow. Floral nose, freshly cut green herbs. Bright lemony fruit. Good grip on the finish. 2004 Auxey-Duresses Les Boutonniers, d' Auvenay Lovely, very expressive and complexe nose; hazelnuts, earth, yellow fruit. Very full and intense, with very fine acidity. Great balance. Really long finish, minerally and nutty. Wine of the night! 2001 Puligny-Montrachet 1er cru Champs Canet, Louis Carillon Very elegant and refined. Slightly evolved yet very fresh. Lots of minerals. Very good lenght. 2001 Vosne-Romanee 1er cru Aux Brulees, Meo-Camuzet Very pure and elegant. Lovely ripe fruit. Lots of depth. Long, tight, minerally finish. 2001 Vosne-Romanee 1er cru Les Brulees, Rene Engel A bit lighter compared to the Meo. Very pure and elegant as well. A bit tighter. More spicy and earthy notes. Long, tight finish. June 2009

2006, Auxey-Duresses rouge, Maison Champy Pale cherry red. Attractive fruity nose, with lots of strawberry and a tiny bit of earth. Soft and juicy, fresh and pure. Quite light, not a lot of depth, but just very pleasant. Not the least bit rustic or harsh. Soft, medium long finish. Nice wine for a summer picnic. Tasted: June 2009 Rating: 7,5/10

Van Oevelen tasting Bourgognewijnen Van Oevelen is one of my favorite wine suppliers. Their shop/storage in Edegem (Belgium) is a "heaven on earth" for Burgundy lovers. They also organize nice tastings a couple of times per year; this time the theme is 2007 reds. But to get the taste buds going we started with two pairs of (white) Meursault 2006. 2006 Meursault, Remi Jobard Tasted alongside the Comtes Lafon. Full nose, floral, sprinkle of vanilla. Round, full and soft. Quite some (soft) acidity. Good lenght, some bitterness. 8+/10 2006 Meursault, Comtes Lafon Rich, sweetish nose. Exotic. Some vanilla. Richer than the Jobard. Full, a bit sharp. Less freshness. A bit sharp finish. Will need more time in bottle to round out, at this stage I prefer the Jobard. 7,5/10 2006 Meursault, Coche-Dury Tasted alongside Arnaud Ente. Great nose, lots of ripe fruit. Fresh and elegant, pure, with quite some acidity. Long, tight finish. 9/10 2006 Meursault, Arnaud Ente Full, ripe, complex nose. Elegant, fresh, very soft. Great balance. Long, lingering, refreshing finish. Less tight than Coche-Dury, but just as nice, perhaps a bit better suited for early drinking. 9/10 All reds are 2007 Beaune "Clos des Marconnets", Pierre Labet Pretty nose, lots of red fruit. Fruity and soft yet with decent grip and concentration. Soft tannins. Easy to like. 7,5/10 Fixin, Méo-Camuzet Vegetal, slightly green nose. Tight, hard, a bit unripe. Rustic. Dry tannins on the finish, but there is a nice spiciness underneath. 7/10 Beaune 1er cru "Coucherias", Pierre Labet Rich nose, expressive red fruit. Fruity, juicy, sweet. Medium long. Pretty, but not very complex. 7,5/10 Morey-Saint-Denis, L&A Lignier Not a lot there on the nose. Tight, a bit green, not showing a lot of fruit. Sharp-edged. Harsh finish. No fun at this stage. 6/10 Nuits-Saint-Georges "Charmotte", Thibault Liger-Belair Slightly animal nose, along with some red fruit. Good structure. Juicy. Rich red fruit. Long, spicy finish. Quite soft and accessible for a Nuits. 8/10 Gevrey-Chambertin "Clos Tamizot", Pierre Damoy Rich nose, earthy with some floral notes. Rich, full, well-structured. But there is freshness as well. Quite long, slightly tannic finish. 8-/10 Vosne-Romanée, Emmanuel Rouget Nice nose: spices, red fruit, a sprinkle of oak. Quite rich, nice fruit, velvety structure. Slightly spicy finish. 8/10 Vosne-Romanée, d'Eugenie Tasted alongside Rouget. Closed on the nose. Quite concentrated on the palate, but not very outspoken flavours, even a bit flat. Reasonable lenght, a bit tight towards the finish. 7+/10 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er cru "Les Pruliers", Robert Chevillon Real Nuits character on the nose: earthy and spicy. Well-structured. Good fruit. Very tight, earthy finish. Needs time. 7,5/10 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er cru "Clos de la Marechale", J-F Mugnier Beautiful, perfumed nose. Superfruit. Round and silky soft. Lovely. Quite soft but persistant finish. 8,5/10 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er cru "Les Saint Georges", Robert Chevillon Rich nose, slightly earthy. Concentrated, tight, but with good fruit. Tannic finish, but not harsh. More concentrated and tight style complared to Liger-Belair. 8/10 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er cru "Les Saint Georges", Thibault Liger-Belair Some spices on the nose. Pure, fresh, layered fruit. Lots of depth. Refreshing acidity. Quite soft, spicy finish. Lots of elegance for a Nuits. 8,5/10 Morey-Saint-Denis 1er cru "Cuvée Romain Lignier", L&A Lignier Oaky nose. Well-structured, but quite sharp and not very fruity. Finishes flat. Like the Morey village not showing too well now. 6,5/10 Vosne-Romanée 1er cru "Les Chaumes", Méo Camuzet Ripe nose. Quite concentrated and full, but a bit plump, it lacks purity. 7-/10 Vosne-Romanée 1er cru "Les Brulées", d'Eugenie Somewhat closed on the nose. Quite concentrated, but not very full-flavoured. Lacks tension. Good lenght though. 7+/10 Clos Vougeot, Chateau de la Tour Slightly reticent nose, but there is some red fruit and earth. Nice fresh fruit and some spice. Firm. Tight, stony finish. 8+/10 Clos de la Roche, L&A Lignier Ripe fruit and vanilla on the nose. Soft, fresh red fruit. Not a lot of intensity. A sharp edge on the finish. 7-/10 Chapelle Chambertin, Pierre Damoy A bit closed on the nose. Good fruitiness, but a bit watery. not very outspoken. Reasonable lenght. 7-/10 Morey-Saint-Denis 1er cru "Les Forges de Tart", Clos de Tart Declassified Clos de Tart grapes from young vines. Expressive nose, ripe fruit and some spices. Good rich fruit, good freshness. Finishes tight and a bit thin. 8/10 Echezeaux, Emmanual Rouget Seductive nose, rich red fruit and prunes. Lovely fruit, good concentration and freshness, lots of complexity. Good lenght. Nice. 8,5/10 Chambertin Clos de Beze, Pierre Damoy A big step up from the Chapelle. Fruity, sweet nose with spices. Lovely rich fruit with herbs and spices. Solid structure, lots of intensity. Long, tight, minerally finish. 8,5/10 Clos de Tart Very solid structure. Lots of depth and intensity. Black fruit rather than red. Spicy. Liquorice. Tight finish. Very long. Best wine of the tasting (which of course it should be, noblesse oblige) 9/10 May 2009

2003, Vosne-Romanée, Rene Engel Full colour. Firm, rich nose. Spicy dark fruit with good freshness. Fullish body, rich and concentrated. Plenty of intensity, yet not overripe or sweet. Quite long, tight finish with good grip. Mouth-coating but ripe tannins. Nice wine for the vintage. Tasted: May 2009 Rating: 7,75/10

2006, Chambolle-Musigny "Les Fremieres" Domaine Digioia-Royer Bright cherry red. Very fine nose! Very expressive. Lots of depth. Ripe and very fruity, along with a sourish touch which gives it freshness. Fleshy fruit, quite a lot of extract for a Chambolle but it's round and soft, and very fresh. A hint of liquorice. Nice lenght. Still a bit tight finish, with a small bitterness and some cocoa. Very nice Chambolle. It's drinking really well already, and it has plenty of potential. Tasted: May 2009 Rating: 8,25/10

2002, Vosne-Romanée, Bruno Clavelier Les Hauts de Beaux Monts Light ruby red colour. Lovely nose with spiciness and ripe sweet red fruit and wet stones. Pure, very fresh fruit on the palate. Cranberry juice. Elegant, light structure, but good intensity. Tighter style and less sweet compared to the "Hautes Maizieres" tasted some time ago. But just as nice! Tight, long, persistent minerally finish. Very pure, unmasked Burgundy. Nice! Tasted: May 2009 Rating: 8/10

2006, Pernand-Vergelesses blanc, Oroncio "Les Belles Filles" Pale golden colour. Pretty nose. Flowers, peachy fruit, elegant and fresh. Round and soft, with good intensity and freshness. Plenty of nice fruit. Long, elegant, crisp finish with good minerally grip. Nice Pernand blanc! Tasted: April 2009 Rating: 8/10

2006, Bourgogne blanc "Condemaine" Comte Armand Understated nose, a bit floral, nutty and some fruit (mango). Round and soft on the palate. Decent concentration, but not very out-spoken. A bit flat. On the finishall of a sudden quite a lot of acidity kicks in. A bit awkward. Not a bad wine, if not really exiting. Tasted: April 2009 Rating: 7/10

2006, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er cru Boudriotte Noël Ramonet Nice nose, red fruits and earth, along with some spices (clove). A bit smokey. Later also some almonds and creme caramel. Lovely pure, refreshing red fruit. Lip-smacking! Long, tight finish. Lots of minerals; stony. Good tannins, not harsh or dry. I like this wine! A bit rustic (in the best sense of the word). A very honest, terroir-driven wine. Tasted: April 2009 Rating: 8,25/10

2002, Morey-Saint-Denis 1er cru Les Loups Domaine des Lambrays Very light orange/red colour. Interesting, complex nose. Spices, soy-sauce, cinnamon, truffle. The nose is the best part of this wine. On the palate it is already rather evolved. Round and soft, with a nice spicy touch to it, but it lacks fruit. Quite long finish, soft, reasonable grip. By no means a bad wine, but considering the age it's already too evolved. Tasted: April 2009 Rating: 7,25/10

2006, Chambolle-Musigny "Les Athets", Jean Tardy Transparent purplish red. Delicate, fragrant nose. Strawberry and some stony minerals. Pure, cool fruit but lacking some silkyness. Medium-bodied, with good intensity. Quite high acidity. Still some raw edges on the (reasonably long) finish. Okay wine, but not showing real Chambolle character at this stage. Tasted: April 2009 Rating: 7,5/10

2002, Morey-Saint-Denis 1er cru Les Chaffots Hubert Lignier Very attractive nose with lots of pure red and black fruits, figs and some caramel. On the palate: very juicy, soft, lots of pure fruit, refreshing acidity. Lovely! Long finish, soft yet intense. Tres bien! Tasted: April 2009 Rating: 8,25/10

1996, Chambertin Clos de Beze, Louis Jadot Youthful, relatively dark colour. Attractive, quite mature nose: earthy, animal, spicy. Redcurrant. Starts somewhat sharp on the palate. A bit thin and hollow. After some time in the glass it slowly becomes more supple and fruity, yet there is never much complexity or depth. Medium long finish with slightly grainy tannins and some spices/pepper. A bit lean. Not a very interesting wine, I fail to see Grand Cru quality. Tasted: April 2009 Rating: 6,5/10

2006, Meursault, Arnaud Ente Lovely deep aromas of ripe fruit, brioche, nuts and minerals. Faint new oak. Full, ripe and round on the palate. Beautiful texture, super acidity, great balance. Very pure. Long lingering finish, tight and minerally, with a very pleasant little bitterness. Very lovely Meursault village! Tasted: April 2009 Rating: 9/10

2005, Bourgogne rouge, Emmanuel Rouget Medium cherry red. Nice nose, spices combined with ripe red fruit (reminds me of strawberry syrup). Ripe, sweetish fruit on the palate. Very pure, with nice acidity. Good intensity. Not beginning to close down yet, unlike a lot of other 2005's. Good lenght. Slightly earthy finish with very fine tannins. Good quality for its level! Tasted: March 2009 Rating: 8/10

2004, Meursault, Francois Mikulski Relatively dark golden colour. Resin on the nose, along with ripe yellow fruit, toast and nuts. In the mouth it's round and full and intense, but there is a lot of refreshing acidity as well. Very good balance. Long, intense finish, with some minerals and a zesty impression. Very nice Meursault. Tasted: March 2009 Rating: 8,25/10

2006, Puligny-Montrachet "Les Tremblots" Hubert Lamy Pale golden colour. Ripe nose. Vanilla pudding, tropical fruit, marzipan and a generous dose of new oak. Very round on the palate, juicy, with sufficient acidity. Ripe, sweetish fruit. A bit hollow on the mid-palate. Not too much complexity or grip, a bit one-dimensional. Reasonable length. Slightly sharp finish with traces of oak. It's pleasant, but not great. Tasted: March 2009 Rating: 6,75/10

2002, Vosne-Romanee "Les Hautes Maizieres" Bruno Clavelier Terrific nose! Ripe cherries, nougat, minerals. Soft, very fruity on the palate. Pure. Light-bodied yet quite intense, sweet and ripe with splendid freshness to match. Long finish with lots of stony minerals. Nice wine, easy to enjoy. Tasted: March 2009 Rating: 8,25/10

2006, Fixin "En Combe Roy", Alain Jeanniard Quite dark purplish colour. Expressive nose, modern and seductive. New oak, vanilla, sweet coconut, milk chocolate and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Starts sweet on the palate. Concentrated and oaky. Lots of black fruit. Sexy wine, but it lacks purity and finesse. Medium long finish, with tannins that are very ripe and soft. Pleasant wine, though it is marked more by the tonnelier than by the terroir. Tasted: March 2009 Rating: 7,25/10

Burgundy tasting Another Burgundy night with Chris, Barry and Chris. First a delicious white Meursault, followed by several reds that we tasted blind. Great fun! 2005 Meursault 1er cru Charmes, Comtes Lafon Deep nose, spicy, very ripe, minerally. Well-integrated oak. Great on the palate, although still very young. Beautiful fat, thick structure. Firm minerally backbone. Very good balance. Long finish with minerals that almost stick to your teeth. Very impressive wine! 2002 Nuits-Saint-Georges Vieilles Vignes, Chevillon Medium red with a little brownish fading. Ripened nose, bacon and spices. Starts soft and round on the palate then becoming more earthy. Tight finish with (ripe) tannins. Nice wine, though looking a bit older than it actually is. 2001 Auxey-Duresses, Coche-Dury Attractive nose. Ripe, sweetish fruit, creme de cassis, dark cherries. Soft and fruity on the palate, spicy fruit and good acidity. Not too much complexity, but good lenght. Surprisingly good wine considering the lesser appellation. 2002 Morey-Saint-Denis, Dujac Lovely nose, a lot richer that the previous wine. Ripe, sweetish, sexy, a bit animal. Full, fat and concentrated on the palate, very expressive dark fruit. Good freshness as well. Long finish, ripe, with soft chocolaty tannins. Very, very good for a village wine! 1998 Vosne-Romanée 1er cru Chaumes, Méo-Camuzet corked... 2001 Ruchottes-Chambertin, Armand Rousseau Spicy, stony nose combined with pure red fruit. Very elegant on the palate, tight, minerally. Lots of complexity. Pure fresh fruit. Really long minerally finish. Lovely wine that impresses not with power but with elegance and finesse. 2002 Volnay 1er cru Santenots, Remi Jobard A step down after the previous wine of course, but by no means a bad wine. Lots of fruit on the nose, but also some "mud". Soft and round on the palate, lots of fruit, pure, elegant and quite easy-drinking. Good length and silky soft tannins. 2000 Clos de la Roche, Dujac Complex nose with plummy fruit, spices and earth. Broad and intense on the palate, lots of rich fruit, lots of intensity. Long finish with a faint hint of tannins and oak. Very nice wine! February 2009

2005, Chablis 1er cru Montmains, Philippe Goulley Greenish golden colour. Quite rich, ripe nose with apple, pear, peach and straw. Full and round on the palate, even a bit fat yet with sufficient acidity. Ripe yellow apple. Medium long finish, with freshness and minerals providing at least some "chablis character". Tasted: February 2009 Rating: 7,5/10

2006, Vosne-Romanee, Mugneret-Gibourg Medium purplish red colour. Nice ripe red fruit on the nose. Cherry, crème de cassis. Lovely spiciness. Really attractive fruit on the palate. Pure, sweetish, velvety and elegant. Sweet dark cherries. Good intensity, nice balance. Quite long finish, with a pleasant minerally touch. Tasted: February 2009 Rating: 8,25/10

2000, Bienvenues Batard-Montrachet, Leflaive Very lovely nose! Complex, rich yet elegant. Ripe fruit, nuts, summer flowers. A bit stony. Very rich, lots of intensity, lots of freshness as well. Full bodied, with lots of depth. Almost creamy mouth-feel, but at the same time it's very fresh and youthful. Terrific! Very, very long finish. Lots of grip and intensity. Nice minerals (even a bit “salty” impression). Terrific wine; a dream! Take a look here as well... Tasted: February 2009 Rating: 9,5/10

2006, Gevrey-Chambertin "Tradition", Alain Burguet Rather light colour. Rich, perfumed nose. Lots of red fruit and some nougat. Very tempting. Very fruity and supple on the palate. Clean, "cool" fruit. Lots of elegance. Medium-long finish, some minerals and very soft tannins. Not the most complex wine, but tres jolie! Tasted: February 2009 Rating: 8/10

2006, Vosne-Romanée "Vigneux", Domaine Jean Tardy Youthful, light colour. The nose slowly unfolds itself, revealing violets, sour cherries, red berries and some spices. Lovely fresh fruit. Elegant structure, good intensity and nice acidic back-bone. Some earthy impressions. On the finish: spiciness, licorice, bay leaf. Good lenght. Slightly harsh tannins. Nice wine, yet it will be even better after a few years in the cellar. Tasted: January 2009 Rating: 8/10

2002, Volnay, Domaine des Comtes Lafon Bright cherry red. Fragrant nose, raspberry-like fruit, slightly earthy. Pure and fresh on the palate. Minerally. Very persistant. Good structure, good grip, good lenght. Still youthfull, but ripe tannins. Not as soft as you might expect from a Volnay. Nice yet not a "feminine" Volnay, that still has a long life ahead of it. Tasted: January 2009 Rating: 8/10

2006, Hautes-Cotes de Nuits blanc Gros Frere et Soeur Light golden colour. Nice, expressive nose with lots of ripe yellow and white fruits (pine-apple, melon, pear). Soft and round on the palate. Ripe, even a bit sweetish fruit. Not fat or heavy, but rather juicy, fresh and very gulpable. It could do with some more intensity though. Pleasant, soft, medium-long finish. It's a bit simple, but very tasty. Would be a nice summer wine. Tasted: January 2009 Rating: 7,5/10

2006, Vosne-Romanée, Domaine d' Eugenie Rather dark purplish colour. Nice nose. Rich, ripe, concentrated fruit. The palate doesn't quite deliver what the nose promised. Full, rich flavours and some sweetness, but not a lot of complexity or character. Good fresh fruit though. Straightforward finish. It's a pleasant wine, but if tasted blind I would not have guessed it was Vosne. Tasted: January 2009 Rating: 7/10

2006, Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes de Nuits blanc Aurélien Verdet Full nose, ripe white and yellow fruit, flowers, minerals and well-integrated oak. Lovely fruit on the palate. Rich, yet with good crisp acidity. Very good balance and grip. Good minerally backbone. Long, persistant finish. Great wine at this level, too good for its appellation. If tasted blind I would have probably guessed it was a Chassagne-Montrachet. Unfortunately the Dutch importer is already sold-out, I'll have to wait for the new vintage to arrive. Tasted: December 2008 Rating: 8,75/10

2002, Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes de Nuits rouge Clos de la Poirelotte Monopole, Hervé Roumier First tasted in the restaurant "La Maison Vigneronne" in Chambolle-Musigny at the recommendation of sommelier Paolo. Apparrently the Clos de la Poirelotte is the only Hautes-Cotes vineyard in Chambolle-Musigny. And indeed, this wines shows Chambolle character. Quite light red colour. Attractive nose, minerally and a bit etherical, with strawberries and cherries. Light-bodied yet with good intensity and fruitiness. Soft, elegant, with some earthiness underneath. Sufficient lenght. A mixture of fruit and minerals on the finish. Very good value for money! Tasted: December 2008 Rating: 8/10

Burgundy tasting Picture: Barry Rothof Nice Burgundy evening with Chris & Barry at their place, in the company of wine trader Christiaan. We've decided to do more tastings like this in the (near) future, so: to be continued! 2005, Chassagne Montrachet, Ramonet Lovely full, rich nose. Some nuts, some flowers, a touch of honey. Starts full and rich on the palate, yet with good freshness. Perfect balance. Long, slightly minerally finish. 8,25/10 2002, Volnay 1er cru Clos de 60 Ouvrées, Pousse d' Or Expressive nose. At first somewhat musty. Earth and "maggi sauce". Dark fruits as well. On the palate: a bit four-square, lacks finesse and Volnay character. Earthy, and a bit spicy. Slightly astringent finish. A bit disappointing. 7/10 2001, Clos Vougeot, René Engel Very nice nose. Earth / forest floor. Some spices. A bit closed on the palate, not a lot fruit. Good structure though. Long finish, very spicy and with youthful tannins. Good wine, but at this point it doesn't really sing. It will probably need a few more years? 7,5/10 2002, Charmes-Chambertin, Domaine Bachelet Great nose! Rich fruit, black cherries. Later also some vanilla. Succulent fruit on the palate. Good balance, lots of depth. Very good freshness. Although this is still a baby, it is already drinking very well. Very, very long finish, round, with lots of fruit and good minerally grip. Clearly my "wine of the night". 8,75/10 1994, Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er cru Les Saint Georges, Gouges Surprisingly dark, youthful color. Farm-yard smell on the nose, later followed by nice ripe fruits. Starts quite sweet on the palate. Nice fruit, nice spiciness. Quite full-bodied. Long finish with lots of (harsh) tannins. Will these tannins ever fully integrate with the wine? Still a nice wine, if tasted blind I would have guessed it was a lot younger than '94. 7,5/10 2003, Monthelie 1er cru Les Duresses, Comte Lafon At first a bit "cooked" on the nose. Then there is lots of black fruit, and a minty touch. An explosion of fruit on the palate, sweetish but with sufficient freshness. Not a lot of complexity or finesse, but very drinkable and quite good for the vintage. 7,5/10 November 2008

2006, Meursault rouge, Pierre Matrot Transparent cherry red. Lovely nose, flowers, red berries and a spicy touch (cinnamon, clove). Pure, crisp, sweetish fruit. Not a lot of weight, but good intensity. Very attractive. Classis in the best sense of the word. Medium-long finish, a bit earthy, good grip, soft tannins. Meursault is not very well-known for its reds, but this is a very good example! Tasted: November 2008 Rating: 8,25/10

2006, Fixin "La Place", Domaine Jean Tardy et Fils First bottle was seriously corked, but I had more luck with the second one! Bright cherry red. Nice, if a bit understated nose. Spices, red fruits and a touch of forest floor. Lovely rich and fresh fruit on the palate, which slowly evolves towards some earthiness. Good intensity, good grip without being rustic. Long mouth-coating finish with ripe tannins. A delicious Fixin! Tasted: October 2008 Rating: 8/10

2005, Pernand-Vergelesses 1er cru Sous Frétille Maison Deux Montille Pale golden colour. Fresh nose, some flowers, touch of vanilla. Elegant, fresh, but not very concentrated. Good zesty grip towards the end. Reasonable length. Pure and refreshing, but it’s a bit simple. It lacks complexity and intensity. I expected more from Alix de Montille. Tasted: October 2008 Rating: 6,75/10

2006, Bourgogne rouge, Anne Gros Pretty light cherry red colour. Expressive nose of red and black fruits, along with some floral and earthy notes. Lovely fresh fruit on the palate. Lip-smacking, suave, very elegant. Pure. Long, soft finish with sufficient grip. Very good Bourgogne rouge! Tasted: September 2008 Rating: 8,25/10

2006, Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits blanc Alain Jeanniard Pale golden colour. Ripe, sweetish nose. Lots of fruits. Pine apple, peach, white grapes, apple juice. Lots of fruit on the palate as well. Ripe, rich, concentrated. Good grip and freshness, if not much elegance. A little bit sharp on the finish, but really good length and intensity. Very good for this lesser appellation! Tasted: September 2008 Rating: 8/10

2002, Vosne-Romanee 1er cru Les Chaumes Dominique Laurent Light brick red. Lots of new oak on the nose. Vanilla. Spices. On the palate there is... nothing. You feel you've got some sort of liquid in your mouth, but there is no taste at all. The finish has oaky tannins and is unpleasantly dry. I kept the bottle for the next day to see if it would improve. To no avail. Disappointning wine. Tasted: September 2008 Rating: 5/10

1999, Vosne-Romaneé 1er cru Les Chaumes Méo-Camuzet From a 1/2 bottle, tasted with Barry and Chris alongside the Echezeaux below. Brick red colour. Nice ripened nose of plums and dark cherries. Start full and round on the palate. It's ripe and very smooth, with lots of intensity. Great balance. Good length. Beautifully suave and well-balanced. This is perfectly a point now. Tasted: August 2008 Rating: 8,25/10

2002, Echezeaux, Anne Gros This is a very special wine. Anne Gros officialy makes Echezeaux since 2007, when the vineyard that had been leased to Bernard Gros for 25 years reverted to her. This 2002 apperently was a try-out, she made just 1 barrel (300 bottles)! Special thanks to Barry and Chris for sharing this rare bottle with me. Light cherry red. The nose is slightly spicy, earthy, minerally (wet stones) and flowery. And there is red fruit underneath. Ripe, very sweet, elegant. Black berries. Earthy. Not overly complex, but very charming. Nice texture. Drinking very well already. Lacks a bit of length perhaps, for a Grand Cru. Finishes a bit earthy, with soft and ripe tannins. Tasted: August 2008 Rating: 8/10

2005, Bourgogne rouge, J. Cacheux Les Champs d' Argent Medium-dark purplish red. Nice nose of rich dark fruit and some spiciness. Starting to close down a bit, still there is plenty of rich fruit. Dark cherries, blackberries. A touch of liquorice. Quite some acidity, leading into a medium long finish with good grip and ripe tannins. A sprinkle of white pepper. Very pleasant, fresh, gulpable Bourgogne. Tasted: July 2008 Rating: 7,5/10

2005, Chambolle-Musigny, Lecheneaut Relatively dark purplish colour. Rich, quite concentrated, plummy nose. Very expressive, not at all closed down like a lot of 2005s at the moment Lots of ripe, dark fruit. Sweetish. Somewhat eathy. Sufficient acidity. Not a lot of complexity, not a lot of finesse. But a lot of straight-forward pleasure. Medium long, rich aftertaste. This is not very Chambolle. But it is very '05, and if you are in the mood for a "sexy" wine, try this. Tasted: July 2008 Rating: 7,75/10

2005, Bourgogne Pinot noir, Pascal Marchand Quite dark purple. Nice earth and spices on the nose, along with lots of ripe dark fruits. Nice ripe fruit on the palate, full and sweet, but also vey fresh and pure. Great depth for "just" a Bourgogne rouge. Medium-long finish, fruity and earthy, with supersoft tannins. Great wine at this level! Tasted: July 2008 Rating: 8,5/10

2006, Meursault "Les Criots", Ballot-Millot Pale lemon yellow. A bit understated nose, showing some white fruits, brioche and nuts. Round, ripe and full on the palate, but at the same time it's very fresh and elegant. Good intensity without being heavy. Lip-smacking! Long, lingering finish with a minerally touch. Very enjoyable young Meursault! Tasted: July 2008 Rating: 8,25/10

2005, Savigny-les-Beaune 1er cru Les Narbantons Mongeard-Mugneret Youthful purplish cherryred. At first it was a bit closed on the nose, but soon it opened up to reveal nice red berries, ripe cherries and creme de cassis. Ripe, rich, fruity. Full and round. Opulent, jammy fruit. But good acidity to match. Modern style, but not overly so. Well integrated wood. Long, fruit-driven finish, with a minerally touch and very soft tannins. Very tasty wine, bottle is empty in no time... Tasted: Jun 2008 Rating: 8,25/10

2004, Bourgogne blanc, Lucien le Moine Light golden colour. Attractive nose with tropical fruits (peach, melon), vanilla/oak, hazelnuts and straw. A bit awkward on the palate. It starts rich and sweetish, then there is some spiciness, and then all of a sudden there is quite some zesty acidity. There is new oak as well. The finish is reasonably long, but a bit salty and metallic. On day two, the wine had improved. It was softer and rounder, and a bit fat. The oak was still evident. Tasted: June 2008 Rating: 7,25/10

2002, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er cru Combe aux Moins Domaine Fourrier Cherry red, with the slightest brownish rim. Very attractive nose! Ripe prunes, cherries and strawberries. Minerally and earthy, with some mushrooms and some spiciness. Fruity and ripe on the palate, with lots of freshness. Spicy and earthy, with both intensity and elegance. Long finish. Earthy, with plummy fruit and spices. Good grip, with tannins that are still a bit tight and dry. Nice wine, although I prefer the Cherbaudes that I had some time ago. Tasted: June 2008 Rating: 8/10

2005, Bourgogne chardonnay, Etienne Sauzet Light golden colour. Very attractive nose, with flowers, ripe white fruits and marzipan. On the palate: ripe, sweetish, round, almost creamy. Beautifully balanced by good freshness. Lots of intensity without being heavy. Puligny character. Long mouth-coating finish with a minerally touch. Very nice wine, almost too good to be just a Bourgogne blanc! Tasted: May 2008 Rating: 8,25/10

2005, Pommard 1er cru Les Chaponnieres Domaine Parent Bright ruby with a youthful purple hue. Slightly restrained nose. A bit fruity and earthy, with cranberries and beetroot. Quite elegant structure, and good freshness. Ripe blackberries and some licorice. Medium long finish, dry, but with fine-grained tannins. Earthy, with some some soy and some spiciness. This is of course too young, but still it is already enjoyable, and will be very nice after five or so years in the cellar. Tasted: May 2008 Rating: 7,5/10

2005, Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er cru "Nuits 1" Domaine Prieuré-Roch Medium cherry red. Attractive nose. Ripe summer strawberries, roses, some vanilla, and an earthy touch. Round, rich, sweet. Soft, opulent fruit. But there's freshness to match. Some spices and minerals. Quite long, with very ripe tannins. Finishes a bit "hot". Nice seductive wine. People who like Californian pinot noir will loves this... Tasted: May 2008 Rating: 7,5/10

2002, Vosne-Romanee 1er cru Les Beaux Monts Bruno Clavelier Very transparent cherry red. Beautiful expressive nose! Complex, lots of nice red fruit (cherry, strawberry, raspberry). Very elegant and pure on the palate. Lovely fruit, a bit sweetish. Very fresh. Some minerality. Light structure, but good intensity. Soft, fruity finish, but with good minerally grip. Some sweetness. Medium-long. Maybe it's not the most complex wine, but it's just so yummy!! Tasted: April 2008 Rating: 8,5/10

2002, Meursault "Sous la Velle", Remi Jobard Straw yellow with a greenish glimpse. On the nose: white fruit and flowers, bread-crust, freshly cut green herbs. Good weight, good structure, fresh acidity. Very long, very tight finish with lots of grip and intensity. This Meursault is still very young, it will need a couple of years to become a bit more friendly. Tasted: April 2008 Rating: 8/10

2004, Meursault "Les Grands Charrons" Chateau de Citeaux, Philippe Bouzereau Straw yellow. Nice floral nose, with a touch of cinamon. Also some honey and vanilla. Starts round and suave on the palate. Very fresh and elegant, with soft minerality. The finish is at first soft, then there is minerality and a firm citrus-like acidity. Good length. Very fresh, elegant Meursault with good intensity. Tasted: April 2008 Rating: 7,5/10

2001, Clos Vougeot, Daniel Rion Colour is light ruby. Nice bouquet! Earthy, gamey, almonds, dark cherries, creme de cassis. Good intensity on the palate. Earthy, with ripe fruitiness and minerals. It's not a very friendly wine, rather a bit rough. Long finish, again earthy and minerally. Grippy tannins. Tasted: March 2008 Rating: 7,5/10

2005, Côtes de Beaune Villages, Cyrot-Buthiau Light, bright red colour. On the nose: floral, with small red berries. A bit of white pepper. On the palate it's fruity, raspberry/cranberry. Medium-bodied, fresh and a bit sweetish. There is also some tobacco... not something I usually find in red Burgundy. The aftertaste is quite long, minerally, with tannins that have a slightly rustic touch. Fine wine, offering good value at less than 10 euro. Tasted: March 2008 Rating: 7,5/10

2006, Bourgogne Vézelay, La Châtelaine Domaine de la Cadette No other than Bernard Raveneau helped to set up this domaine, and is still consulting here. I can think of worse recommendations... Pale golden colour. On the nose it's very flowery, along with some herbs and minerality (pierre a fusil). On the palate it is round, ripe and juicy. It's refreshing as well. Pear, melon, grapefruit. Soft, lingering finish. A nice little wine that is a bit Chablis-like in character, but rounder and not as tight. Tasted: March 2008 Rating: 7,5/10

2005, Pernand-Vergelesses 1er cru Les Fichots Maison Champy Medium-light crimson. Nice cherry and raspberry nose, along with some "wet stones". Pure, elegant. Lovely cherry fruit and small red berries. Very fresh and well-balanced. Long, refreshing finish. Tannic, but the tannins are perfectly ripe and soft. Nice, quite elegant Pernand-Vergelesses, not at all rustic like Pernand-Vergelesses can be. Tasted: March 2008 Rating: 8,5/10

2005, Bourgogne Passetoutgrains, David Clark Purple/ruby colour. Quite attractive nose. Animal, lots of black and red fruit, a bit smokey. Lots of mouth-coating fruit, very pure and fresh. Easy-drinking, but not simple. The Gamay (40%) is adding a nice, slightly rustic touch. Medium long finish, sappy, with some pleasant bitterness. I have very little experience with Passetoutgrains, but I guess this is about as good as a "PTG" can get. Tasted: March 2008 Rating: 8/10

2006, Rully 1er Cru La Pucelle, Paul Jacqueson Light golden colour. Very fine nose. Elegance, complexity, sophistication. Flowers, fruits (peach, sweet melon) vanilla. Pure, elegant and juicy on the palate. Good intensity and nice balance. Some sweetness, lotys of freshness. Long, slightly zesty finish. Very good Rully! This wine would not have to be ashamed of itself if it were from, lets say, Chassagne-Montrachet. Tasted: March 2008 Rating: 8,25/10

2005, Gevrey-Chambertin, Odoul-Coquard Purplish cherry red. Nice perfume. Candied, cherries, lots of spices. Starts soft and a bit fruity on the palate, soon a fierce acidity kicks in, followed by loads of licorice and almost prickly spiciness. The finish has soft tannins and -again- lots of licorice. This is even a bit overwhelming, making this wine not a lot of fun to drink. On day 2, there is a bit more fruit and a bit less licore. Its somewhat more attractive and drinkable now. Still, it's an awkward Gevrey. Tasted: February 2008 Rating: 6,5/10

2002, Vosne-Romaneé, Robert Arnoux Medium ruby colour. On the nose: rich, earthy, a bit oaky. Creme de cassis, blackberry. Quite intense on the palate. Earthy, black and red fruit. Spicy. Good freshness. Finishes quite long, with very oaky tannins. Nice Vosne-Romaneé, concentrated and well balanced though the aftertaste is a bit too oaky. Tasted: February 2008 Rating: 7,5/10

2005, Bourgogne rouge, Robert Chevillon Medium cherry-red colour. Nice, high-toned nose. Floral, earthy and a bit peppery. Very spicy and minerally on the palate. Real Nuits-Saint-Georges character here. It has got quite some acidity, but there isn't a lot a fruit. Long, persistant finish. Spicy. Tannins, astrigence, acidity. Very serious, firm Bourgogne. It is closing down right now as there is not a lot of fruit. Leave it in your cellar for a few years and it will be great. Tasted: February 2008 Rating: 8/10

2005, Saint-Aubin 1er cru Le Charmois blanc Jobard-Chabloz Jobard-Chabloz is the negociant-business of top Meursault producer Remi Jobard. Very pale yellowish colour. Melon, fresh pineapple and flowers on the nose. It's also a bit smokey. It starts soft, round and juicy on the palate. Then there is a little zesty accent. Good weight and freshness. Medium-long finish with a lemon-like touch and some bitterness. A tiny bit harsh and soapy. Fine (but by no means exceptional) Saint-Aubin with good freshness. Tasted: February 2008 Rating: 7,25/10

2002, Clos Saint Denis, Bertagna Dark crimson. Oaky on the nose, but the oak is nicely wrapped in ripe black fruits. Crême de cassis. After some time in the glass there is also something earthy and animal. Full and ripe. Oaky and sweet, but there is some refreshing acidity too. Creamy mouthfeel. Blackberry. A tiny bitterness towards the end. Long finish, spicy, oaky. Rich. Some sweetness. Earth, cacao, dark chocolate. Rich, concentrated, sexy wine. Not very elegant, and a bit too oaky for my taste. It tells you more of Bertagna than of the terroir of Clos Saint Denis. A good wine though, if you like this style... Tasted: February 2008 Rating: 8/10

2001, Clos Vougeot, Dominique Laurent Transparent cherry red. On the nose: some floral and mineral notes, oak, spices, cranberries. Medium-bodied. Very earthy and a bit metallic. Some sweetness, though there is not much fruit. Unpleasant. Not a lot of depth or complexity. Quite long finish, earthy, spicy and slightly tannic. This is not a very pretty wine. It's very earthy and it lacks fruit. It doesn't have the "smooth and sexy Laurent style." Tasted: Februari 2008 Rating: 6,75/10

2003, Beaune 1er cru Boucherottes, Louis Jadot Cherry red, quite light considering the vintage. Very spicy on the nose, also some "hospital smell". Nuts, minerals, cacao. Sweet, but surprisingly elegant and well-balanced. Lots of red fruit, sweet and ripe. But there is also good freshness. Soft, but persistant. Some milk chocolate. Nice medium long finish, with fruitiness and licorice. A bit heavy, but soft, and not at all tannic. Tasted: January 2008 Rating: 7,5/10

1999, Chambertin Clos de Beze, Drouhin-Laroze Medium ruby red. Straight after pouring there is a spicy nose, with wet stones, forest floor and cooked Brussels sprouts (less unpleasant than it might sound!). After swirling most of it disappears, what’s left is just some soft red fruit. It starts a bit sweetish on the palate, but then quickly turns thin and a bit flat. Where are the depth and complexity of a Grand Cru? There is some red fruit, but it’s not very intense. Simple, medium long finish with some tannins. I had this wine at David "Bordoverview" Bolomey's place, he decided to splashs the wine violently into a decanter. After that the wine slowly starts to improve. It becomes more fruity, more juicy. It gains some weight and intensity. It never quite reached Grand Cru level, but it became a pleasant wine. Tasted: January 2008 Rating: 7,5/10

2004, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er cru Boudriotte Domaine Ramonet Pale golden colour. Lovely layered nose. Exotic spices, dried fruits, flowers and minerals. Full and broad, with zesty freshness. Ripe citrus. Refined. Good depth. Long finish. Fresh, soft and a bit spicy. Excellent wine, living up to the expectations. Tasted: January 2008 Rating: 8,75/10

2005, Beaune 1er cru Les Montrevenots Vincent Dancer Medium cherry red. Very attractive nose! Very spicy, with beetroot, crème de cassis, earth and a little punch of well-integrated oak. Creamy mouthfeel, round and soft. Cherry and spices. Good intensity and freshness. The style of this wine reminds a bit of Volnay. Medium-long finish, fruity and soft. Nice, seductive wine! Tasted: January 2008 Rating: 8,25/10

2005, Chambolle-Musigny, Les Bussieres Lucie et Auguste Lignier Medium dark purple colour. The nose cries out: NEW OAK! So does the palate. To call this wine "over-oaked" would be an understatement: this is oak juice... It is impossible to taste anything else. What a shame... Tasted: December 2007 Rating: 5/10

2006, Saint-Romain "Sous le Chateau" blanc Christophe Buisson Pale, slightly yellowish colour. Very restrained nose, it takes a lot of imagination to detect some nuts and some ripe apple. On the palate it is juicy, pure, well-balanced. Some soft white fruit. Good freshness. Minerally, refreshing finish. A satisfying Saint-Romain. Maybe it could do with a year or two in the cellar to become more expressive. Tasted: December 2007 Rating: 7,5/10

2005, Mercurey Cuvee Vieilles Vignes rouge Chateau d' Etroyes, Domaine Maurice Protheau Ruby red. Dark cherries and cranberries on the nose, along with some beetroot. Very ripe, sweetish red fruit on the palate. Then a lot of spiciness kicks in and it finishes with ripe, but somewhat grainy tannins. A straightforward and quite enjoyable Mercurey. Tasted: December 2007 Rating: 7,5/10

Cote de Beaune Villages, Faiveley (1971?) I am not sure about the age of this bottle. It was donated by a former restaurant owner who thought it was from 1971. But there is no vintage mentioned on the labels. Nor was there a vintage printed on the cork. Maybe it is a blend of different vintages? The fill is about 5 centimeter below the cork. The colour is surprisingly bright red with an orange glimpse. On the nose it is quite spicy, vegetal, a bit evolved. Dried fruit, raisins. On the palate it is incredibly fruity and lively. Even a bit sweetish. Acidity is high, but not agressive. Light-bodied, but showing considerable depth. Hard to believe this wine is 36 years old... The finish is quite persistant, with herbs, acidity, some fruit and (the remainders of) tannins. A very enjoyable wine that went well with mushroom risotto. However after about an hour it started to go downhill rapidly. Acidity became more and more unpleasant, and the fruit disappeared. Tasted: December 2007

2005, Morey-Saint-Denis, Aurelien Verdet This domain in Arcenant (Hautes-Cotes de Nuits) was one of the first Bio-producers in Burgundy (since 1971!) Deep red colour. Nose full of cherries and minerals. Rich, ripe, mouthfilling. And still elegant and fresh. Pleasant spiciness. Dark cherries and black berries. Great balance and purity. Long finish, minerally and fresh. Beautiful wine, very good at village-level. I am going to try some more from this producer. Tasted: December 2007 Rating: 8,5/10

1997, Clos de Tart Medium-red with brownish glimpse. On the nose it is at first vegetal and mature. A bit animal, some autumn leaves. Later there is also sweetish red fruit. On the palate it is full, sweetish, round. A lot of fruit. It is very youthful and lively. Quite deep and intens, yet not overly complex. Some exotic spices. Rather long finish with minerally grip and soft, chocolatey tannins. Tasted: November 2007 Rating: 8,25/10

2001, Blagny 1er cru La Piece sous le Bois Domaine Matrot-Wittersheim Really light colour. Earthy, minerally nose, along with some strawberry. At first a tight, and minerally on the palate. After about half an hour in the glass it gains on fruitiness. From then on, it becomes a really pleasant wine: pure, fruity expression of strawberry and redcurrant. Lots of minerals. Good balance and elegance. Quite long finish combining fruit, freshness and minerals. There is something unfashionable about this wine which is very pleasant. Tasted: November 2007 Rating: 8/10

Fête des Grands Vins de Bourgogne 2007 This event was held for the 135th time this year, as always in the same weekend as the Hospices de Beaune auction. Originally it was organized to let the growers taste their wines of the latest vintage to the Burgundy negociants. Later the event was opened to the general public also. Still a lot of wines available for tasting were from the current vintage (2007), most of this unready wines tast like grapejuice to me, and do not tell me a lot about the quality of the wines when they will be ready. So I concentrated on the 2006 vintage, because these are the wines that begin to arrive on the market now. I tried to taste wines from as many different villages as possible, to provide a good "general picture" of the vintage. In general I would say 2006 is a good vintage for both whites and reds. The whites are usually less rich and fat than in 2005, but are showing more freshness and minerality. They are however not as tight and zesty as the 2004s. I think they are a good "mixture" between '04 and '05. The reds have obviously less rich, concentrated fruit than in 2005, but they are often very elegant, pure and fresh. These are wines that don't require long cellaring, but will provide a lot of pleasure in their youth. All wines tasted are 2006 unless stated otherwise. The whites Rully, 1er cru Margotes, Jean-Claude Breliere Pale. Flowery, some honey. Round, fresh, fruity, some minerals and spices. Good. Rully, 1er cru Montpalais, Jean-Baptiste Ponsot Rich, ripe nose. Good weight, tight and minerally. Good grip and some bitterness on the finish. Very good. Mercurey, Domaine Duvernay Yellowish colour, ripe nose, full, juicy. Quite rich style, lacking some freshness. Mercurey, Vigne de Maillonge, Michel Juillot Flowery nose. Soft, round, fresh. Long minerally finish. Good. Mercurey, 1er cru Sazenay, Domaine Bautista Tight nose. Good intensity, open, fresh. Zesty, minerally finish. Very good. Montagny, 1er cru cuvee speciale, La Buxynoise Flowery, fresh nose. A bit tickeling on the tongue. Very fresh, zesty, easy. Tight finish. Good. Montagny, 1er cru cuvee selection, Stephane Aladame Freshly cut grass on the nose. Fresh, green apples, citrus fruit. Soft, pleasant, juicy finish. Very good. Montagny, 1er cru les Coeres, Domaine Feuillat-Juillot Chemical nose, glue, very rich. Full, but sharp on the palate, Short, unpleasant finish. Disappointing. Montagny, 1er cru, Chateau de la Saule Rich nose, flowers, some honey. Very soft and round. Finishes with good minerally grip. Good. Saint-Romain, Poillange, Barolet-Pernot Not much on the nose. Very tight, juicy, high acidity. Easy. Short finish. Saint-Romain, Henri et Gilles Buisson Very fresh, flowery on the nose. Full, suave, fruity. Quite long, pleasant, soft finish. Good. Saint-Romain, Maison Champy Ripe, savory bouquet. Both full and fresh, a bit minerally, green apples. Long, refreshing finish. Very nice. Saint-Romain, Alain Gras Full, rich nose. On the palate again full, round, even a bit fat. Some fresh acidity as well. Small bitterness towards the end. Good. Chablis, cuvee Vieilles Vignes, Domaine de la Motte Surprisingly ripe, even a bit sweetish taste. Soft and round, not typical Chablis. Chablis, 1er cru Beauroy, Domaine de la Motte Again ripe, sweetish, full. A little bit more tight and minerally towards the finish. Chablis, 1er cru Veau Ligneau, Domaine de la Motte More freshness on the nose. Full, but also some zesty acidity and a more minerally finish. Pouilly-Loche, Reserve, Celine et Laurent Tripoz Floral, spicy nose. Rich, smooth, a bit fat. A little sweetness, but also some minerals. Tight finish. Good. Pouilly-Loche, Cave des Grands Crus Blancs Expressive nose, floral, a bit exotic. Rich, sweetish, some freshness but still a bit dull. Some sweetness on the finish. 2005, Pouilly-Vinzelles, Chateau de Vinzelles No 2006 here yet, they are going to bottled in December. The 2005 is spicy on the nose. Full and sweetish, with nice balance. Long, fat-ish finish, tiny bitterness. 2004, Pouilly-Vinzlles, Chateau de Vinzelles fresh and floral nose, with some oak. Softer and fresher than the 2005, less sweetness. Tight, long finish with quite some bitter and minerals 2004, Pouilly-Vinzelles, Cuvee les Petaux, Chateau de Vinzelles From 100 year old vines. Hazelnut, peanut on the nose. Soft, lots of elegance and depth. Less sweetness, more minerals. Very nice. 2004, Pouilly-Fuisse, Vers Cras, Chateau de Beauregard Very ripe, lots of oak. Vanilla. Very rich, although there is some freshness on the finish. Maranges, Domaine Chevrot Floral, a bit rustic nose. Fat, chunky, with good acidic backbone. A bit sharp and chemical on the finish. Saint-Aubin, 1er cru Chatenaire, Marc Colin Flowery, fruity nose, a bit buttery. Soft and round, with refreshing acidity. Long, mouthfilling finish with good grip. Good. Saint-Aubin, 1er cru Chatenaire, Hubert Lamy Fresh, floral, a bit toasted nose. Tighter then the previous wine, citrus fruit. Long, fresh finish with lots of acidity. Needs some time. Good. Saint-Aubin, 1er cru Murgers du Dents de Chien, Domaine Larue Very little on the nose. Soft, watery, dull. A little bitterness on the finish. Disappointing. Saint-Aubin, 1er cru Les Perrieres, Henri Prudhon Fresh, zesty on the nose, along with some butter. Round, juicy. Lots of tension and freshness. Minerally finish. Good. Saint-Aubin, 1er cru Les Perrieres, Patrick Miolane Perfumed, flowery nose. Citrus fruit, medium-bodied, some spiciness. Very tight, zesty finish. Good. Chassagne-Montrachet, 1er cru Les Vergers, Philippe Colin Restrained nose. Soft, round, a bit sweet. Round finish. Lacks tension. Chassagne-Montrachet, 1er cru Les Chaumees, Clos de la Truffiere, Vincent et Francois Jouard Blunt, little bit flowery nose. Very little there on the palate. Dull. A bit sharp, unpleasant finish. Disappointing. Chassagne-Montrachet, 1er cru Caillerets, Coffinet-Duvernay Floral nose, mixed with some honey. Very soft and round, lacks tension and freshness. Thin and sharp finish. Disappointing. Chassagne-Montrachet, 1er cru Les Vergers, Fernand et Laurent Pillot Nice, expressive nose. Flowery, spicy. Complexity. Nice balance, zesty freshness. Minerals. Long, tight finsh. Very good. Chassagne-Montrachet, 1er cru Maltroie, Maison Michel Coutoux Different nose, animal, almond. Fresh, tight, citrus fruit, pear. Refreshing finish. Good. The reds Beaune, Les Beaux Fougets, Rudolphe Demougeot A bit smokey on the nose, along with some red fruit. Very soft and ripe. Sweet... no: very sweet. Beaune, 1er cru Greves, Besancenot Nice, elegant, sweetish fruit. Very light, fresh and supple. Very soft finish. Nice quaffer, but a premier cru should be more than just that. Pommard, Jacques Frotey-Poifol Very animal nose. Full and round on the palate, sweet fruit along with a greenish touch. A bit harsh finish. Monthelie, Domaine Saint Fiacre, Aline et Joel Patriarche Not very expressive nose, some cherry and flowers. Soft, elegant, little red fruits. Soft, ripe tannins. Good. Monthelie, Potinet-Ampeau Minerally nose. Fresh, fruity. Quite tannic finish with lots of acidity. Monthelie, Cuvee Paul, Paul Garaudet Cassis, minerals on the nose. A bit animal (not unpleasant). Soft and quite sweet. Big, rustic tannins on the finish that clash with the sweetness. Marsannay, Tissier Smells like wet dog. Overly sweet on the palate, harsh finish with some sweetness. Strange wine. Marsannay, Bruno Clair Lots better on the nose than the previous wine. Soft, sour fruit. Tannic, somewhat unripe aftertaste. Gevrey-Chambertin, Humbert Freres Spicy, black fruit on the nose. Ripe, elegant. Dark fruit. Very long, velvety finish. Nice. Gevrey-Chambertin, 1er cru Cazetiers, Dupont-Tisserandot Fruity and spicy. A bit earthy. Very soft and elegant. Well-balanced. Finesse rather than force. Very nice. Charmes-Chambertin, Henri Richard A bit closed nose. Ripe sweetish fruit. Good intensity, lots of depth. Some tannins on the finish. Good. Nuits-Saint-Georges, Charmottes, Cauvenet-Chopin On the nose: fresh, ripe fruit, cranberries. Dark, ripe, fruity. Spicy finish. Muscular yet elegant. Nuits-Saint-Georges, Chantal Lescure Spicy, animal, dark fruit. Ripe, fruity, finesse, freshness. Lighter, more elegant style. Acidic finish. Good. Nuits-Saint-Georges, 1er cru Les Saint-Georges, Alain Michelot Animal nose, sour cherries. Starts juicy and fresh, finishes with massive tannins. Needs time. Good. Nuits-Saint-Georges, 1er cru Les Chaignots, Chauvenet-Chopin Cherries on the nose. Soft, round, fresh and fruity. Lots of tannins and spices on the finish. 2005, Nuits-Saint-Georges, 1er cru Clos des Porrets Saint Georges, Henri Gouges Cherry, creme de cassis. Thick, ripe fruit. Spices. Liquorice. Spicy finish with lots of tannins. Needs time. Nice. 2005, Nuits-Saint-Georges, 1er cru Clos de la Marechale, J.F. Mugnier Fruity, slightly animal nose. Ripe, full, silky fruit. Very ripe tannins. Lovely. 2004, Nuits-Saint-Georges, 1er cru Les Boudots, Jean Grivot Rustic, animal, spicy. Earthy yet quite sweet, ripe fruit. Tannins by the bucket. Needs time. Vosne-Romanee, Domaine Nudant Not much on the nose. Sweetish fruit. Simple. Some harsh tannins. Dull. Vosne-Romanee, 1er cru Au Dessus de Malconsorts, Remoriquet Closed nose. Some more weight than the previous wine, but lacks spirit. 2004, Vosne-Romanee, 1er cru Aux Brulees, Michel Gros Ripe red fruits on the nose, a bit earthy. Fruity. Good weight. Refreshing acidity. Good. Chambolle-Musigny, 1er cru Les Baudes, Maison Henri Villamont Fruity, spicy nose. Silky soft. Fresh, red fruit. Tiny tannins. Good. Morey-Saint-Denis, Sionnieres, Lucie et Auguste Lignier Fruity, lots of cherries on the nose. Ripe, spicy, very sweet. Sweetish, spicy finish. Morey-Saint-Denis, 1er cru Clos Sorbes, Bernard Serveau Very dark purple colour. Fruity. Black cherries. Lots of fruit, a bit spicy. Some (ripe) tannins. Good. Morey-Saint-Denis, 1er cru Chaffots, Lucie et Auguste Lignier Very soft, mouth-filling fruit. Elegant, fresh, lots of depth. Tannins of the softest kind. Very nice. Morey-Saint-Denis, 1er cru Cuvee Pape Jean-Paul II, Domaine Bryczek Small red berries on the nose. Very fruity, soft, elegant. Some almonds. Lacks some weight. Very soft tannins. Morey-Saint-Denis, 1er cru Clos des Ormes, Georges Lignier Quite animal nose. Soft, sweet, spicy. A bit green towards the finish, not unpleasant though. Clos de la Roche, Lucie et Auguste Lignier Still a bit closed on the nose. On the palate very rich, juicy fruit. Elegant, fresh, lots of depth and complexity. Spicy. Really long finish with ripe tannins. Very, very nice! 2004, Clos de la Roche, Lucie et Auguste Lignier Black berries on the nose, together with a spicy touch. Deep, ripe fruit. Tight, yet very complex. Some sweetness. Long finish with soft tannins. Lovely.



2002, Gevrey-Chambertin, Gerard Raphet Really light, youthful red. Beautiful perfume. Tres pinot. Strawberry, cherry, some minerals, a touch of nougat. Light-bodied, but with some intensity. Mouthfilling red fruit, round and silkily soft. A hint of spices. Very elegant and delicate. Not very long, but pleasant finish. Very soft, with a minerally touch. This is perhaps a bit too light and easy for a Gevrey. But who cares, it is drinking very well. Tasted: November 2007 Rating: 8/10

2005, Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru Hospices de Beaune, Cuvee Fouquerand Mise en bouteille par Albert Bichot Light cherry red. At first not the most expressive nose. Then, caramel, vanilla, creme de cassis. Light-bodied, juicy and fruity. The fruit is masked a bit though by the barrel treatment. It is lacking fraicheur. A bit spicy. Medium-long finish, with some oaky tannins. This could have been a nice wine, if it was not marked too much by its elevage. Tasted: November 2007 Rating: 6,5/10

2002, Echezeaux, Coquard-Loison-Fleurot Medium ruby colour. On the nose there is... almost nothing. After swirling, just some very distant red fruit. On the palate it is just very, very sweet. Overwhelmingly sweet. Plump, dull, one-dimensional. Nothing more to say really. The finish is not pleasant either, sweet, alcoholic, sharp. A good terroir, a great vintage, so how can someome make such a "merde"? Oh well, let's just say this is not my cup of tea. Tasted: October 2007 Rating: 6/10

1997, Clos de la Roche, Domaine Ponsot Cuvee vieilles vignes Light colour, with a very little brownish glimpse. Nice bouquet! Floral, flowery, fresh, some plums, some beetroot, some stalks. Starts a bit sweet on the palate. Light, even thin structure. Finesse rather than force. Soft, juicy, but also a bit dull. Medium-long finish with soft tannins and a little sweetness. An hour after opening, the wine gained some structure. And it gets a somewhat creamier mouthfeel (like milk chocolate). Although it improved a bit with time, it lacked body and complexity. Still a pleasant wine though. Tasted: October 2007 chez David. Rating: 7,75/10

2005, Chassagne-Montrachet rouge, Ramonet Palish ruby with a glimpse of purple. Nice, fragrant nose. Dark cherries. Earthy. Some spices. This wine is showing different personalities. It starts round, juicy, with almost Volnay-like softness. Medium-bodied, with crisp, ripe fruit. Cherry, raspberry. Then, quite fierce acidity takes over, and finally there is a tannic and a bit rustic finish. A difficult wine to come to grips with. I figure it just needs some bottle age for all the components to melt together. Tasted: October 2007 Rating: 7,5/10

2005, Beaune Vieilles Vignes de Saint Desiree Chateau de la Velle Light cherry-red colour. Fruity on the nose, cherry, cranberry and violets. On the palate: pure, fresh, fruity. All sorts of red fruit. Juicy, with a mouthwatering acidity. Persisant finish, with soft tannins and a minerally touch. Tasted: Otober 2007 Rating: 7,75/10

2005, Bourgogne chardonnay, Francois Mikulski Pale golden-green colour. A bit layed-back on the nose. Flowery, zesty, some minerals. Medium-bodied, fresh, soft. Grapefruit, lemon, with the slightest touch of honey. Well-balanced. Really long, zesty finish. Surprisingly refreshing wine, not at all the type of wine I expected from this vintage and this producer. Very pleasant. Tasted: October 2007 Rating: 7,5/10

2004, Morey-Saint-Denis, Domaine Arlaud Very light, almost a bit watery colour. Pretty bouquet, cherry, minerals and "autumn-forest after a rainshower". Light structure, but good intensity. Fruity, with quite some acidity. Not overly ripe or sweet, even a bit rustic , but in a pleasant way. Medium-long finish with a few tannins. Although it has a slightly greenish touch, it is still an enjoyable 2004. What worries me a bit though is that I can't remember the wine having this green touch the first time I tasted it, less than a year ago. Are 2004 reds developping unripeness in bottle? Tasted: October 2007 Rating: 7,5/10

2005, Chassagne-Montrachet blanc, Michel Niellon Light yellowish colour. Terrific, layered nose. Hazelnut and almond. Minerals, spices, toast and marzipan. Full, yet very fresh and refined on the palate. Mango, peach, pine-apple, ripe pears. Great balance and complexity. Very long finish, almonds, minerals, good grip. This is very good for a village wine. I like it a lot! Tasted: October 2007 Rating: 9/10

2005, Nuits-Saint-Georges, David Duband Medium ruby red. Lots of fruit. Cherry, raspberry, with a nice spicy touch. Beautiful nose! Very fruity, round, very gentle. Ripe, sweet, not very complex yet well-balanced and pure. Good acidity. Really long, fruity finish with a minerally touch and very ripe little tannins. Really nice wine, ready for early drinking. Tasted: October 2007 Rating: 8,5/10

2004, Chambolle-Musigny, G. Roumier Light ruby colour. Vegetal nose, with wet stones and forest floor. Also some cherries. Medium-bodied, with quite some acidity and little fruit (some cranberries). It lacks the silkyness that Chambolle is famous for. Long but not very pleasant aftertaste. Green, raw, unripe. Unfortunately, this was yet another red burg that fell victim to the "2004 green streak". Disappointing. Tasted: October 2007 Rating: 6,25/10

2004, Bourgogne blanc, Marc Morey Pale golden colour. Vegetal and zesty on the nose. Anise, melon and lemon. A tiny trace of oak. Tight and zesty on the palate. Good weight and freshness. Grapefuit and green apple. Persistant finish, with rather high acidity and some pleasant bitterness. Tasted: October 2007 Rating: 7,5/10

2002, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Cherbaudes Domaine Fourrier Light ruby red colour. Beautiful expressive nose, both red and black fruits, minerals, earthy. Soft, sensual fruit. Minerals. Cherries, raspberries. Very elegant, yet with lots of depth. Finesse. Nice balance. Long finish with a little spicy punch. Lovely wine! Tasted: October 2007 Rating: 9/10

2005, Beaune Clos des Mouches blanc Joseph Drouhin Tasted from a 1/2 bottle. Straw yellow. Some spices, flowers and oak on the nose, mixed with a bit of honey and vanilla. Starts full and round, then a touch of zesty acidity kicks in. Ripe apricot, banana, vanilla, cococunut. Long, fresh, spicy finish. Again some vanilla. Little bitterness. Rich, heavy wine, but with a good balance between sweet, acid, bitter and fat. Tasted: October 2007 Rating: 7,75/10

2002, Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru, Simon Bize Aux Vergelesses Very transparent cherry red. Nice expressive "pinot" nose. Fruity with a spicy touch Silky soft, sweetish, well-balanced. Crisp raspberry fruit. Very charming. Long, soft finish. Most attractive wine! Tasted: October 2007 Rating: 8,5/10

2004, Pernand-Vergelesses blanc, Laleure-Piot Pale yellowish colour with a green glimpse. Beautiful nose. Vegetal and nutty. Pears and minerals. Some struck-match aroma. Pure, round, good balance. Grapefruit-like acidity. Fairly long, zesty finish. Tasted: September 2007 Rating: 8/10

2003, Volnay, Vendages Selectionnees Michel Lafarge Medium cherry red. Attractive nose, fruity and floral, with vanilla and caramel. Crisp, juicy and fresh on the palate. Strawberry and cherry. Elegant. Good acidity. Not the least bit overripe or stewed. Long, tangy finish. Tannic and dry. Very fresh and elegant wine, considering the vintage. The tannins would need another couple of years to soften a bit. Tasted: September 2007 Rating: 8/10

1998, Bourgogne Rouge, Maison Leroy Light tomato-juicy colour. Tight, minerally nose. A bit flowery, very little evolution. A bit thin on the palate, minerals, little fruit. Medium-long finish with grainy tannins. I kept half a bottle overnight in the fridge to see if it would improve. But no, the wine was still the same on day two. Tasted: September 2007 Rating: 6,5/10

2002, Chassagne-Montrachet blanc Chateau de Puligny-Montrachet Fragrant nose, flowers, ripe white fruits, touch of lanolin. Round, soft, juicy, elegant. Some zesty acidity. Good lenght. Pleasant, elegant but not very complex Chassagne. Tasted: September 2007 Rating: 7,5/10

2005, Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Les Castets blanc Maison Vincent-Escalier Pale, yellowish colour. Flowers, melon, touch of lemon, honey and toast. Round on the palate, medium-bodied, juicy. Pine-apple. Some sweetness, but also refreshing acidity. Long, fresh, minerally finish. Tasted: September 2007 Rating: 7,75/10

2005, Chambolle-Musigny, La Combe d' Orveau Anne Gros Very light, purple/red. Beautiful nose, lots of little red berries. Fresh, flowery, some minerals. Really lovely palate. Very fresh, pure fruit. Smooth. Very delicate. Perfect balance. Lingering, fruity finish with supersoft tannins. This is a close-to-perfect Chambolle. I wish I had a couple of cases... Tasted: September 2007 Rating: 9,25/10

2005, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Dureuil-Janthial 1er Cru Clos des Argillieres Deep, plummy colour. Beautiful nose, ripe, bramly fruit, spices, minerals, vanilla, a whiff of oak. On the palate: crisp, round, fruity. Black cherry and a bit chocalatey. Full, but still very elegant. Some sweetness, nice balance. Long aftertaste, with very soft, minerally tannins. Very fine NSG. Already drinking very well despite its youth. Tasted: September 2007 Rating: 8,5/10

2004, Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru, Clos Sorbes Jacky Truchot Light ruby colour. On the nose: ripened fruit, meaty, animal and a little bit green. Reminds a bit of Cabernet Franc... Soft, round and fruity on the palate. But one-dimensional, and a bit flat and plump. Lacks complexity. It seems over-chaptalized (13,5% alc.). Rather short, easy finish. 2005 will be the very last vintage of Jacky Truchot. All the vineyards are sold (the new owner will have the wines made by David Duband). I hope -and expect- his last vintage will be better than this 2004, because this is not a wine he will be remembered by. Tasted: September 2007 Rating: 6,75/10

2004, St-Aubin 1er Cru Derriere chez Edouard rouge Hubert Lamy Delicate bouquet. Floral, some strawberry, slightly earthy. Elegant and well-balanced on the palate. Crisp red fruit, refreshing acidity. Not very long, but pleasant finish. Nothing spectecular, but it's a charming wine. Tasted: August 2007 Rating: 7,5/10

1997, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Vergers Domaine Ramonet Dark yellow color with a golden glimpse. Beautiful perfume! Lemon confit, flowers, yellow prunes, almond, minerals (wet stones). A bit smoky and floral. Really youthful on the palate. Fresh. Still lots of fruit. Elegant, not fat or buttery. Quite some acidity. Long, mouth-coating finish. Zesty, with lots of minerals ("terroir") and a tiny little bitterness. A really beautiful wine, that aged gracefully and was still very much alive. Tasted: August 2007 Rating: 9/10

Okhuysen Burgundy tasting One of the leading wine importers of The Netherlands, Okhuysen, celebrates its 140th birthday this year. One of the jubilee activities is a Burgundy tasting, which was held Saturday 18 August in the cellars under the Okhuysen wine shop in the centre of Haarlem. Unfortunately only white Burgundies where presented - that's a bit like attending a soccer game where only the first half is being played... 2005 Chablis, Domaine d' Elise Expressive nose, citrus fruit, lemon. Starts a bit sweetish, ripe, fruity. Minerally, long fresh finish. 2004 Chablis, "Terroirs de Chablis", Maison Verget Floral on the nose, tight. Round and fresh on the palate, quite some acidity, medium long zesty finish. 2005 Macon-Villages Tradition, Collovray & Terrier Softer style that the Chalis, more tropical fruit, supple. But also very good freshness. Simple but very pretty Macon. 2004 Bourgogne blanc, Domaine Tollot-Beaut. Made from a small parcel of Bourgogne blanc and young vines from Corton-Charlemagne. Flowery on the nose, some well-interated oak, spiciness. Zesty fruit, nice balance, juicy. Some pleasant bitterness on the finish. Very nice wine on this level! 2006 Saint-Veran, Cuvee Anniversaire, Domaine des Deux Roches Special cuvee for the Okhuysen jubilee. Flowery, herbs some vanilla. Ripe fruit, juicy, fresh. Elegant. 2005 Saint-Veran "Chataigniers", Maison Verget Ripe fruit, hints of caramel on the nose. Fat combined with freshness. Some minerals on the finish. 2004 Vire-Clesse "Sous les Plantes", Bret Brothers herbs on the nose, together with "wet stones". Round, a little bit fat, but still very elegant. Good balance. Nice wine! 2004 Macon-Vergisson "La Roche", Maison Verget Nice perfume, flowery, ripe white fruits. Full, fat, round, but also some freshness. Long finish, but a bit sharp. 2004 Pouilly-Vinzelles "Les Longeays", Domaine la Soufrandiere Very ripe on the nose, almost gives a bit of an oxydized impression. Ripe, round, fat, lacks some elegance. It finishes fresh, a bit mineralic and a little bit sharp. 2005 Meursault "Les Vireuls", Domaine Dupont-Fahn Very rich, ripe on the nose, glue, hospital smell. Fat, full, buttery, lacks freshness and tension. Not the kind of Meursault that I like.

2005, Bourgogne pinot noir, Hudelot-Noellat Light cherry red color with a purple glimpse. Lots of nice Pinot-fruit on the nose, with some hints of minerals (wet stones) and spices. On the palate: a French kiss of fruit! I can't think of a better way to describe this. Every corner of your mouth is tingled by the pure, fresh, cherry-like fruit. Velvety soft, impeccable balance. Long, juicy "afterglow". Once again, a really nice "ordinary" 2005 Bourgogne. This one could easily be mistaken for a Chambolle village. Tasted: August 2007 Rating: 8,5/10

2004, Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Beaune Naudin-Ferrand, cuvee Orchis Masculata Very light, "tomato juice" color. Flowery on the nose, with herbs, forest floor and cranberries. Soft, round and pure on the palate, almost " creamy" mouthfeel. Cranberry, strawberry, refreshing acidity. Nice, medium long finish, fresh and a bit spicy. Really pleasant wine, especially considering the vintage. This was my first encounter with this producer, but it will certainly not be the last. Tasted: August 2007 Raing: 8/10

2003, Clos des Lambrays Pretty dark ruby color. Sweet dark fruit, kirsch, creme de cassis, vanilla, spices, a chocolate bar with coconut. Very ripe, deep, dark fruit. Lots of it. And it has still got some freshness. Nice, but not very complex. Very long finish, some minerals and lots of tannins that are well integrated. This is a true child of its vintage. That means, atypical. If tasted blind I probably would not have guessed it was Burgundian. Maybe not even Pinot noir. It has got the length, but not the complexity of a Grand Cru. Tasted: August 2007 Rating: 7/10 P.S. it went well with confit de canard...

2005, Bourgogne Chardonnay, Maison Champy Cuvee Signature The grapes for this special cuvee come from a plot in Meursault (though outside the borders of the appellation). Pale greenish-golden color. Fragrant nose, ripe tropical fruit, flowers, herbs and oak (well integrated). Ripe, concentrated fruit on the palate, peaches, pineapple. Matched by nice freshness and acidity. Medium-long juicy finish with some minerals. Rich, modern style, a real crowd-pleaser. Its freshness ensures its true Burgundian character. Tasted: August 2007 Rating: 7,75/10

2001, Echezeaux, Dominique Laurent "Grande Cuvee Vieilles Vignes" Closed-down on the nose. After a lot of swirling some sweet cherry, minerals, vanilla and a whiff of oak. Starts full and a bit sweetish on the palate. Ripe fruit. But this disappears quickly, and then the wine is rather flat and thin on the mid-palate. It finishes a bit short, with some minerals and dry (oaky) tannins. After a couple of hours it improved just a little bit, but it never got the depth and complexity of a Grand Cru. Neither did it have the smoothness and concentration of a Laurent wine. Tasted: August 2007 Rating: 7,25/10

2005, Bourgogne pinot noir, Dupont-Tisserandot Brilliant cherry red color. Some spiciness on the nose (reminds of Gevrey-Chambertin) along with fresh red fruit. Very fruity on the palate, soft, round, juicy, ripe. It has a somewhat silky mouthfeel. Medium long, fruity finish with some spices. Nice, easy-drinking wine. What more can you expect from "just" a simple Bourgogne rouge? Tasted: August 2007 Rating: 7,5/10

2005, Bourgogne pinot noir, Bouchard Pere & Fils Tasted from a 1/2 bottle. Light, purplish red color. Fruity on the nose, with some minerals and herbs. Cherry fruit on the palate, good balance and freshness, medium long finish with minerals and just a hint of tannins. In other vintages I would usually ignore simple Bourgognes, but 2005 is such a remarkable year that it even produces nice wines at this level. This is just another example, a really pretty wine for every day drinking. Tasted: August 2007 Rating: 7,5/10

2002, Morey-Saint-Denis, Hubert Lignier On the nose there is not much here. Just hints of red fruits, a bit flowery, some chalk dust. Starts soft and fruity on the palate, but not overly so and it quickly fades away. What is left is a tight, mineralic finish with some tannins and some bitterness. After more than an hour, and after a lot of swirling, the wine opens up some more. It softens a bit, and is getting a bit more juicy on the palate. This wine would need more time to really express itself. Tasted: July 2007 Rating: 7,5/10

2004, Auxey-Duresses 1er Cru Les Bretterins Jean-Marc Vincent Light bordeaux (?) colour. Awkward nose at first, meaty, floral, forest floor, mineralic. After a few good swirls, some plummy fruit. Medium bodied. Slightly sweetish fruit, black berries. Terroir. Good lenght, tannic, a little bit dry. Fine. Needs a few years, but good potential. Tasted: July 2007 Rating: 7,5/10

2004, Meursault, Clos de la Velle Chateau de la Velle Pale golden colour. Flowery nose, with white fruit and minerals. A touch of honey as well as a whiff of coconut. Some richness, ripe fruit (citrus rather than tropical fruit), mineralic. Really long aftertaste, with a lot of acidity and good grip. Nice Meursault, with richness and zesty freshness. Tasted: July 2007 Rating: 8/10

2004, Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Les Sorbes Thierry Beaumont Purplish ruby colour. Not a very expressive nose, but still some nice red fruit, earthy and spicy. Starts full and round on the palate, lots of soft strawberry fruit, elegant and juicy. Mouthwatering acidity. Finishes quite long, and very spicy. No sign of the typical 2004 "green streak". Very attractive wine! Tasted: July 2007 Rating: 8/10

2005, Bourgogne Rouge, Remi Jobard Purple color. Beautiful perfume, layered red fruit. Lovely palate, very fruity, ripe, good concentration and balance. Solid backbone of acidity. Long finish, soft and juicy, with good grip. Very, very good wine for "just" a Bourgogne rouge. Drinking really well right now, but the acidity also grants it aging potential. Tasted: July 2007 Rating: 8,5/10

2002, Monthélie 1er Cru Les Duresses, Comte Lafon Transparent cherry red. Right after popping first some pepper on the nose. Then flowery, minerals, and fresh textbook Pinot fruit. Elegant structure, lots of terroir, nice soft fruit, impeccable balance. Long, mineralic finish, a bit rustic, with ripe tannins. Terrific wine! And beeing a lot less expensive than the Volnays of Lafon, this offers good value for money! Tasted: July 2007 Rating: 9/10

2002, Morey-Saint-Denis blanc, Domaine Dujac Light yellowish colour. Floral and vegetal on the nose, also bread, a touch of vanilla and something chemical (glue). Full, round and a bit fat on the palate. Lacks tension and some freshness, and finishes a bit sharp, agressive. Not a very pleasant wine. When buying Morey-Saint-Denis in the future, I will stick to the reds. Tasted: July 2007 Rating: 6/10

2005, Rully 1er Cru Les Montpalais, J.C. Breliere This domaine (next to the church in Rully) does not only have a nice tasting room, Anna and Jean-Claude Breliere also offer a cosy "gite" (holiday appartement) right above the cellar. Staying here gives you a good opportunity to have a glimpse behind the scenes. It is also a perfect starting point for walks through the vineyards of Rully, Bouzeron and Mercurey. I stayed here last year during the bottling of the 2005 vintage. So lets see how this vintage turned out chez Breliere. Young purple-red colour. On the nose: lots of fruit! Ripe and very fresh. A bit flowery and some beetroot. On the palate: again lots of fruit. Raspberry, strawberry, cherry. Elegant, "feminine" structure. Nice balance. Fruity and earthy finish with ripe tannins providing good grip. A nice wine! Tasted: July 2007 Rating: 8/10

2001, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Saint Jacques Domaine Sylvie Esmonin Light cherry red. Beautiful nose, mineralic, slightly earthy mixed with sweet cherry and prunes. A whiff of well-integrated oak. Soft, ripe fruit. Cherry, strawberry. A modern, seductive style, but very elegant as well. Good balance and freshness. Medium long, silky soft finish with some very supple tannins. Some minerals, spices and little pleasant bitterness. Perhaps it lacks a bit of complexity compaired to Rousseau's CSJ, but still a very, very nice wine. Tasted: July 2007 Rating: 9/10

2005, Bourgogne Côte Chalonnais, La Fortune Aubert et Pamela de Villaine Light, youthful purple colour. Aroma: lots of lovely fruit, especially raspberry and blackberry. Nice balance. Some minerals and spices. Same formula on the palate: fruits by the bucket. Elegant and balanced. Medium long, soft finish with some spiciness. Yummy! Tasted: June 2007 Rating: 8,25/10

2004, Bourgogne rouge, Emmanuel Rouget Light, transparent colour. It took some time before it opened up. Then, a floral nose and a bit spicy. Not much fruit. Fresh, elegant on the palate. Some fruit, quite a lot of acidity. Medium long finish with sour cherries and some spiciness. Maybe I expected more because Emmanuel Rouget is after all the nephew and successor of Henri Jayer. But there is no “magic” in this wine. It is not a bad wine, but nothing special. It might need some time to let the acidity settle down a bit. Tasted: June 2007 Rating: 7/10

2004, Pouilly-Fuissé, Terroir de Fuissé Olivier Merlin Pale, golden green colour. Rich nose, pear, flowers, honey, and a nice minerality. On the palate: juicy, rich, fat. Ripe apple and pear along with a nice minerality and acidity. There is new wood, but it is absorbed by the wine. Long finish, richness combined with freshness, lots of grip. Very nice, rich Pouilly-Fuissé. Tasted: June 2007 Rating: 8,5/10

2002, Charmes Chambertin, Domaine Dujac Light cherry red colour. Beautiful nose: a bit earthy, sweetish fruit, cherry, kirsch liqueur, stems, violets, beetroot. Tres Pinot. Every sniff releaves something new. Soft on the palate, cherry, a bit thin. Good balance. Long finish, minerals, earthy, soft tannins. This wine has a beautiful perfume, but on the palate it lacks some depth for this level and vintage. Tasted: June 2007 Rating: 8,5/10

2003, Corton, Mischief & Mayhem Medium pale ruby colour. Sweetish minty nose with cherry and black berry fruit. A bit earthy. Mouthfilling, ripe fruit. But it's not jammy or stewed. Good freshness and acidity. Medium long finish with some tannins of the softest kind, and a touch of bitterness. No real Grand Cru complexity or body, but it's drinking very well so I am not complaining. Also because it set me back only 25 € (at Mischief & Mayhems "cellar door" in Aloxe-Corton) so that is no Grand Cru pricing either. Tasted: June 2007 Rating: 7,5/10

2004, Chambolle-Musigny, Thierry Beaumont Tasted for the first time June 2006 with monsieur Beaumont at the domaine. Then a soft, feminine wine, real Chambolle character, with dark red fruit, a bit spicy and animal. A nice wine. Now, one year later, it seems a completely different wine. The colour is a youthful cherry red. But the nose is very green, animal, farmyard, forestfloor, dirt, unripe. Not very appealing. Same story on the palate. The green notes mask the fruit, and carry through to the aftertaste. No fun... Tasted: June 2007 Rating: 6/10

2004, Bourgogne rouge, Cuvée du Pinson Domaine Ponsot On the label of this wine is a white dot. A text explaines: " If the dot printed in white in the middle of this text change to dark grey it means this bottle has been exposed to a too high temperature". Good idea! More producers should do this! My dot is still white, but I will keep the empty bottle and see when it will turn grey. I will keep you updated. On to the contents of the bottle. Pale, brick red. Floral nose, some spicyness, bit of eucalyptus, sour cherries. Soft, fruity on the palate, little bit peppery, mineralic, elegant, fresh acidity. Finishes pretty long, with a floral touch and a whiff of cacao. Elegant tannins. Attractive Bourgogne rouge, elegant and with depth. Tasted: June 2007 Rating: 7,75/10

1999, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru, Domaine Bertheau First I openend a 1999 Chambolle-Musigny, Hubert Lignier. This was badly corked:-( It was my last bottle of this wine, so I changed to another Chambolle from the same vintage. Still youthful colour, a very transparent cherry red. A first there is not much there on the nose, some minerals, wet stones. With time and after a bit of swirling some sweet, ripened fruit awakens. Starting soft and somewhat sweet on the palate. Cherry and strawberry. A bit thin on the mid-palate. Classic style. Not very silky or even sexy. Soft, medium long finish with earthy minerals. Pretty Chambolle, but it is a bit rustic. Tasted: June 2007 Rating: 7,5/10

2001, Givry 1er Cru, Domaine Joblot Clos du Cellier aux Moins Pretty light, ruby colour. Nice, complex nose. Earthy, minerals, farmyard, cherries. Soft and elegant on the palate, with both fruit and minerals. Very soft, ripe tannins. Good acidity. Medium long finish, soft and with good grip. Nice elegant Givry, classic style. Tasted: June 2007 Rating: 8/10

2004, Chablis, Domaine d' Elise Domaine d' Elise is probably the most difficult to find winery in Burgundy, or perhaps in the whole of France. It is located on the top of the Cote de Lechet. To get there, you have to find the narrow road leading up the hill close to Milly. There are no signposts. After some time the road changes into a forest trail with lots of pot-holes, bumps and stones. Then it splits up in three different paths, again without signposts. The middle one eventually leads to the domaine, beautifully situated surrounded by the vineyards. The vineyards border on the Premier Cru Cote de Lechet, and the terroir is pretty similar. Nonetheless half of the vineyard is classified as Chablis, the other half is only Petit Chablis. Pale greenish-golden colour. Floral nose, with citrus fruit and some minerality. It starts very crisp, zesty. Then on the mid-palate more soft, ripe fruit. It finishes again really fresh, nice acidity, green apples, minerals. A nice true-to-type Chablis Tasted: June 2007 Rating: 7,5/10

2004, Volnay, Domaine Glantenay (Pierre & Georges) Youthful cherry red colour. Expressive nose with violets and lots of fruit (raspberry, strawberry and cherries). Silky soft on the palate, vibrant ripe fruit, nice balance. Long finish, soft but persistant. This is a textbook Volnay that is drinking very well. Good value for money at 14,50 euro (at the domaine). This is not a well-known producer, but if the quality of the wines stays this way, this might be a "star of the future". Don't say I did not warn you... Tasted: June 2007 Rating: 8/10

2002, Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru, Les Murgers Domaine Bertagna Beautiful nose with lots of elegant fruit, minerals, slightly earthy, some spicyness. Soft, juicy palate, nice balance, lovely fruit, decent acidity. Long, fruity finish with minerals and soft tannins. Elegant, supple style for a Nuits-Saint-Georges, but I like it! Tasted: June 2007 Rating: 8,25/10

2005, Bourgogne blanc, Jean-Marc Vincent Bright, yellowish colour. The nose is dominated by masses of new wood… this makes it difficult to determine anything else. The palate is very oaky as well but some tropical fruit shines through. Some sweetness, lots of ripeness and power. Long, somewhat bitter finish. This is a "heavy" wine. The wood is too dominant at the moment. Hopefully with some bottle-age the wood will be absorbed by the wine. Then this could turn out to be a nice "poor mans Meursault". Tasted: May 2007 Rating: 7/10

2005, Bourgogne Pinot noir, Olivier Merlin Merlin is better known for his white wines, but he also makes some nice reds; Macon rouge, Moulin-a-vent and this Bourgogne rouge. Youthfull, bright cherry red colour. Lots of ripe fruit on the nose. Cherry, strawberry. Reminds of "maceration carbonique". Some spices and minerals. Mouthfilling, juicy fruit, ripe, with a nice balance and freshness. Quite long, fruity finish. This is always a nice wine, but this 2005 was even better than previous vintages. Tasted: May 2007 Rating: 8/10

2004, Macon-Chardonnay, Clos de la Crochette Heritiers du Comte Lafon Bright yellowish colour. On the nose: bread, peach, ripe apple, vanilla. Flowery and a bit spicy. Fat and round on the palate, concentrated, ripe tropical fruit and apple, also some accidity. Long finish, with some bitterness and good "grip" Tasted: May 2007 Rating: 7/10

1998, Chambertin Clos de Beze, Domaine Bart Fairly pale colour, with a touch of orange-brown. Really deep nose, layered, floral, lots of ripened fruit, kirsch, rhubarb. The palate is a bit disappointing after the beautiful nose. Some fruit, a bit of sweetness, but it is thin in the middle. Lacks complexity for its Grand Cru level. Medium long finish, floral, a bit spicy, soft tannins but most of all rather agressive acidity. Not a bad wine, but I expected more. Last year I tasted the 1997 which was a terrific wine. Tasted: May 2007 Rating: 6,5/10

2004, Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Les Blanchards Domaine Arlaud pere & fils Blanchards is a new vineyard holding for Arlaud since 2004. It is located directly underneath Clos Saint Denis. Light, bright ruby colour. Nice perfume, all sorts of red fruit with floral notes and some minerals. Mouth-watering palate, beautiful fresh fruit. Good balance. Finesse. Not a sign of the green / unripe notes that you frequently find in 2004 reds. A somewhat lighter style than the domains other MSD Premier Crus (e.g. Millandes, Aux Chezaux). Fairly long aftertaste. This is a really nice wine! Tasted: May 2007 Rating: 8,5/10

2004, Bourgogne chardonnay, Jean-Marie Bouzereau Pale colour, with a greenish hint. Minerals and zesty fruit on the nose. Fresh and slender on the palate, with nice acidity and minerality. Not the woody, fat, tropical style you might expect from a Meursault producer. Reminds more of Chablis. Nice summer wine for every day sipping. Tasted: May 2007 Rating: 7,5/10

2005, Bourgogne Pinot noir, Mischief & Mayhem A blend that contains 15% Gevrey-Chambertin. Bottled in a heavy "Grand Cru" bottle. Medium cherry red color. On the nose: red fruit, crisp and ripe. On the palate: soft, fruity. Nice Pinot character, a whiff of cherry. Fresh, good acidity. Medium long, soft and refreshing finish. Excellent summer red. Very good at this level! Tasted: May 2007 Rating: 8/10