After a superb day in Chablis, Robin Kick and I dropped down to the Côte d’Or to get our first real glimpse of the 2009 vintage in Burgundy, before our main tastings in November.
As always this is a wonderful time to visit any grower. The vineyards look resplendent, lush and green with an abundance of fine and healthy grapes hanging on the vines and there is a natural air of excitement before the forthcoming harvest, set for the end of the month.
Whilst we tasted a few 2009 reds we are very much saving these for our November visit. Suffice to say that our initial impressions are that the reds have a wonderful succulence of moreish fruit thanks to the fine September last year. We are certainly in for a real treat when we come back in 2 months time.
The highlights of our day were very much in Meursault at Domaine Javillier and Fichet. Patrick Javillier has been joined by his daughter Marion who has recently completed her viticulture studies at Beaune and they make a great team. Patrick’s Bourgogne Blanc Cuvée Oligocène is always a wonderful way to start a tasting. His 09 has a lovely balance of ripeness and freshness and will give huge pleasure at an early stage. His overall range of Meursaults highlight his skills at reflecting different terroir styles whilst always maintaining the subtle flamboyance that great Meursault should have.
After 10 years it was wonderful to revisit the cellars of Jean-Philippe Fichet. His never ending commitment to quality continues and he has produced a very fine range of 09s, with the Meix sous Château and Tessons being the real stars of the show. Afterwards we had a wonderful dinner with Jean-Philippe and his wife Michèle with a fabulous assortment of wines. In particular Jean-Philippe did a fascinating comparison between a bottle and a magnum of 2000 Meursault les Tessons. Both were delicious, beautifully fresh and lively but it was amazing to see how youthful the magnum was in particular. We finished with a lovely 1983 Volnay full of mature gamey fruit.
Tomorrow we head of to the Côte Chalonnaise to taste Givry and Mercurey.