En primeur tasting - Burgundy Briefing

UK:
USA:
H & H Bancroft; Berkmann Wine Cellars; Haynes, Hanson & Clark; Lay &
Wheeler Ltd.; Lea & Sandeman; Howard Ripley.
Esquin Imports Inc.; Ideal Wine & Spirits Co. Inc.; North Berkeley Imports;
Michael Skurnik Wines; The Stacole Co. Inc.; Vintner Select; The Wine
Company.
Domaine De La Romanée-Conti, Vosne-Romanée
I was shown round the cellar by Bernard the cellar master who describes the 2004 as
“a year that will develop slowly…a millésime of passion.” He is a highly entertaining
guide to this most illustrious cellar.
Le Montrachet
I have not sampled the blend, but the elements seem very fine.
Sample one: Stony intensity, immensely tight core, firm acidity, coiled energy,
austerely masculine with a very long, mineral finish. Very reserved.
Sample two: Seriously rich, savory, powerful broad and deep with a sumptuous
creamy texture. Not surprisingly this was revealed to be a barrel sample with
bâtonnage.
Vosne-Romanée
Very lucid fruit. Nicely intense on the nose and very even on the palate. Sweet fruit
on the attack, slight floral with decent concentration in the middle palate and good
breadth. Rounded tannins, medium bodied and ample. Subtle, supple and very
pleasing. Particularly good. From 2008
Echezeaux
Very expressive and expansive. Darker fruit the nose, showing well. Rich and velvety
attack to a broad and sweeping palate. An elegant wine, soft and seductive with
smooth finely grained tannins, good depth and a long and intense finish. Fine+. From
2012
Grands Echezeaux
Slightly more intensity on the aroma and depth on the palate. Higher toned, very
attractive black fruit with a suggestion of blueberries and a touch of spice. More grip
here, firm and lively with fresh acidity. This has a tighter, mineral core and is less
expansive and more discreet than the Echezeaux with a long fine finish. Fine++.
From 2012
Romanée-Saint-Vivant
Deliciously fragrant and petally. The first impression is delightfully silky and very
feminine. There is excellent intensity to this wine and behind its graceful and very
fluid profile it has firm grip, and edge. The tannins are fine grained. It is very trim and
balanced with a long, long elegant finish. I particularly like this wine. While it may
not be as grand as the next two wines or as quite as fine and sophisticated as La
Romanée-Conti, it has great finesse. Outstanding. From 2012
Richebourg