Text by: Greg Somm
There's nothing better for truly enjoying wine than the right company! The people who make it and the people you drink it with are two components that influence wine and how you perceive it. We always drink wine in a certain context—place, time, people. And company is always crucial for me. This time we gathered for one purpose: to drink Burgundy older than 2010, and it turned out to be a truly incredible experience.
The aperitif from Arlaux Speciale Reserve was the perfect start. A beautiful wine with hints of exotic fruit and sweet pastry. The first blind sample from Marc Rougeau seemed very subtle and subtle. It was unusual to see Pommard in the final product, but the wine turned out to be pleasant and very expressive. And then things went more and more perfect! The Richebourg 2004 from Anne Gros was the weakest in the set. It was a bottle nuance. The La Romanee 1986, on the other hand, surprised me with its form. A perfect evolution of Pu'er tea and rotted dry foliage, paired with dried red berries. A remarkable balance that speaks to the greatness of this vineyard.
The second blind sample was a surprise from the first nose. Piercing aromas of dried, candied raspberries, rose hips, blood, and blood oranges with red pepper. Captivating and dense on the palate. I was betting on the 1993, but it turned out to be the 2003 RSV from Laloux Bize-Leroy. A great wine, without a doubt! After it came the Meo-Camuzet flight. Its Echezeaux is a very concentrated interpretation. The hot vintage yielded a deep wine with a very ripe and long profile. The 2009 Les Brulees, on the other hand, was very delicate and sensual. The aroma had more red berries, hibiscus, and hints of Darjeeling tea. After that, the Cros Parantoux 2001 was completely weightless, albeit with hints of truffle and blood orange! One of the best bottles for me!
And then there was the Charmes 2010 from Russo. It's an absolutely incredible wine in its current state. Still young in the aroma, but already beautifully developed on the palate. And the Ruchottes 2003 was perfect. 2003, in my opinion, is the perfect example of an underrated vintage. We finished with the Richebourg 2003 from Hubert Mongeard. This is a wine that delivers top-notch pleasure! Still young in the aroma and very delicate and ripe on the palate!
