Last week I hosted a lunch here at Goedhuis in the boardroom upstairs. The lunch was to showcase the wines of Roche de Bellene and we had the pleasure of Nicolas Potel to take us through the flight. It became very lively quite quickly but whilst I remember, I wanted to share with you the highlights.
The lunch began with a tasting of two 2012 1ers Crus, his Vosne Beaux Monts and Chambolle Sentiers. Both cuvées (like many 2012 Bordeaux) you can enjoy now even (!), but will develop more complexity in time of course. The Chambolle was a star in my eyes, bright red fruits with a seductive mid palate that got really exciting on the finish. My clients however thought the 2009 Nuits St Georges 1er Cru Les Boudots was a star. It was darker, more brooding, full bodied, yet fabulously pure and sensual at the same time (think close proximity to Vosne).
All Burgundy aficionados love the 2010s, undeniably a sensational vintage. The Volnay 1er Cru Mitans 2010 was tightly wound, wonderfully intense yet very pure and mineral. Class in a glass. It is also fantastic value for a 2010 in today’s world.
At lunch we drank Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Les Champeaux 2009 and Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru 2008. A pairing that really highlighted the differences between these two vintages. The 2009 was rich and velvety, earthy and dark with huge concentration. Utterly delicious. The 2008 Charmes was lighter in colour (vintage), more pure, high toned with red cranberry/cherry fruit. There is more elegance here as you would expect, the finish was long and seductive. This was a star for me.
At this stage we were all sporting rosy cheeks, large smiles and excitement was brimming as two Magnums of Grand Cru from Nicolas’ Bellenum Collection were planted mid table. Both Magnums from the 2000 vintage, a vintage that is drinking perfectly today.
Clos de La Roche is a Grand Cru vineyard that is responsible for some of the most exciting wines from Morey St Denis. We drank the 2000. The nose was a complex blend of red fruits, black cherries and subtle spice, slightly candied, with wonderful intensity. It was luscious, it was fun to drink and was potentially wine of the day for most around the table.
Latricières Chambertin, is a vineyard that normally needs a warmer vintage to show at its best, this was confirmed by enjoying the 2000 today. The wine was rich, earthy, with hints of roses and truffle. It was gorgeous to drink, very long on the palate and a wine that I will remember for a very long time.
By this stage it was 6pm and it was time to move on……