En primeur tasting - Burgundy Briefing

The domaine has acquired a new parcel of Les Beaumonts taking the landholding to
0.75 hectares. The vines are over 50 years old. Alec comments that the location is
good and he expects to get the new parcel into shape in two years.
Full, rich dark cherry fruit with good intensity on the attack. This has an appealing
supple texture, with ripe muscular tannins, a compact and layered middle palate with
luscious and pure fruit, plump rounded body and, interestingly, a slight crunchiness.
Very stylish. Particularly good to fine. From 2009
Gevrey-Chambertin, Aux Combottes
Lifted, juicy black cherry fruit with a floral edge. A silky attack builds to a well-toned
palate with intense fruit and hints of coffee. Velvety texture, but a firm core and good
breadth. This wine has plenty of flair and complexity and a long stylish finish. A
particularly good Combottes. Fine. From 2010
Chambolle-Musigny, Les Gruenchers
Rich, smoky and rather exotic. Very full on the nose and full-bodied on the palate for
Chambolle. Plenty of gras and meaty tannins. It’s dense, ripe and forceful with good
energy, if not the most elegant of wines. Particularly good++. From 2010
Charmes-Chambertin
Forceful aroma with fruit, coffee and spice. A surprisingly powerful attack, firmly
structured tannins, concentrated, rich and full bodied. Quite a rigid structure, fleshed
out with dense fruit. It has a full, long and assertive finish. Fine+. From 2012
Echezeaux
Rather perfumed and open on the nose. Silky-soft first impression opening to a
broad, sweeping palate with some good grip. Even and harmonious, it is a very
composed wine, but a little lacking among the others in this line up. Fine. From 2009
Clos Saint-Denis
A much more interesting wine with lots going on. Opulent red fruit, nuances of spice
and coffee and savoury characters. The tannins are tight and finely grained. The
palate is ripe, but restrained. An imposing wine which hums with the impression of
unleashed energy and potential. An excellent long finish. Very fine. From 2012/14
Clos De La Roche
Seductive, almost silky on the aroma. A generously fruity attack leads into a flowing,
velvety palate. Gras is underpinned with a mineral bite and sophisticated firm
structure. It has excellent intensity balance and harmony and a very long slightly
stony finish. Very fine+. From 2012
Bonnes Mares
This is rich and profound, concentrated and full-bodied - carried off with panache. A
very layered and deep palate combines muscular, burly power with elegance. This is
rounded off with a long, long velvety finish. Very fine. From 2012
Stockists
UK:
USA:
Lay & Wheeler; Morris & Verdin; O.W. Loeb; House of Townend; Howard
Ripley.
Chambers & Chambers; Wilson Daniels.