Burgundy

[alan7147]

In Chevy Chase Wine's weekly specials, I noticed the 1997 Dom Drouhin-Laroze Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru on sale for $59.99. This wine regularly retails for $100.

I know that 97 was a pretty good vintage for both Cote de Nuits and Cote de Beaune, but my Burgundy knowledge is relatively limited. Is this a wine to grab at this price? Any thoughts would be helpful.

[Mark Slater]

In Chevy Chase Wine's weekly specials, I noticed the 1997 Dom Drouhin-Laroze Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru on sale for $59.99. This wine regularly retails for $100.

I know that 97 was a pretty good vintage for both Cote de Nuits and Cote de Beaune, but my Burgundy knowledge is relatively limited. Is this a wine to grab at this price? Any thoughts would be helpful.

'97 was not a pretty good vintage for most anything from Burgundy. The wines were light and very approachable upon release in '98. The euphemism used to sell them was that they were a "restaurant vintage", meaning that they required no further cellaring and are ready to drink. $59.99 is no bargain for that wine.

[alan7147]

'97 was not a pretty good vintage for most anything from Burgundy. The wines were light and very approachable upon release in '98. The euphemism used to sell them was that they were a "restaurant vintage", meaning that they required no further cellaring and are ready to drink. $59.99 is no bargain for that wine.

Perhaps you should place a call up to Monkton. Seems to be a differing opinion

[Sthitch]

Perhaps you should place a call up to Monkton. Seems to be a differing opinion

Burgundies have not traditionally been the strong suit of Mr. Parker.

[Mark Slater]

Perhaps you should place a call up to Monkton. Seems to be a differing opinion

Monkton says "92-Ready to drink". Ready to drink on release + 9 years = caveat emptor.

[Wine Guy 23]

Monkton says "92-Ready to drink". Ready to drink on release + 9 years = caveat emptor.

find the 92's a little thin in the back, and fading now. Drouhin laroze is always a strong suiter, but in better years, try the 93 Bonnes Mares instead

[alan7147]

find the 92's a little thin in the back, and fading now. Drouhin laroze is always a strong suiter, but in better years, try the 93 Bonnes Mares instead

The reference to 92 here pertains to Parker's rating of the 1997 vintage of Côte de Nuits.

[Jacques Gastreaux]

Perhaps you should place a call up to Monkton. Seems to be a differing opinion

If you trust Parker's advice, why did you ask in the first place. If you don't like Slater's opinion, disregard it and buy, buy, buy.

[Keithstg]

If you trust Parker's advice, why did you ask in the first place. If you don't like Slater's opinion, disregard it and buy, buy, buy.

Thank you!

[alan7147]

If you trust Parker's advice, why did you ask in the first place. If you don't like Slater's opinion, disregard it and buy, buy, buy.

I was merely citing a differing opinion. Nowhere did I insinuate that I trust Parker or that I don't like Slater's opinion.

[Mark Slater]

Here are the tasting notes from the Domaine's website:

Domaine Drouhin-Laroze

The note for 1997 says " A good year which gives pleasure and should be drunk now".

[mdt]

Just got this in from the Arrowine newsletter. Any of our esteemed wine experts care to chime in on this producer? I am wondering if a mixed case should be in my future.

2005 Savigny-les-Beaune "Les Gravains 1er Cru", Michel Ecard

From vines over 40+ years old, located just below the "Bois Noël" (the Christmas Woods), the "Gravains" vineyard has a similar exposition to "Les Serpentières" just to the north, but its gravelly soils produce a very elegant wine in Ecard’s cellar.

The nose is red cherries and strawberries, with a hint of red licorice. On the palate, it shows rich ripe cherries, raspberries and again tasty red licorice with a hint of black tea and lovely minerality. It is subtle, balanced and very fresh with a bright finish.

2005 Savigny-les-Beaune "Les Serpentieres 1er Cru", Michel Ecard

Found below the "Bois Noël", the "Serpentières" vineyard, with its great southern exposure and soils that are 60% clay and 40% chalk, produces a wine that is high-toned and floral, with notes of baked blueberry fruit. A step up in weight and power possessing clearly blueberry-cranberry flavors and lots of mineral snap. This will take a little time, but it will reward the patient with highly perfumed aromatics, rich flavors, and spicy complexity.

2005 Savigny-les-Beaune "Les Peuillets 1er Cru", Michel Ecard

Coming from heavier, colder, more dense clay soils, this is a charmer. “Peuillets” combines the brooding ruby and slightly earthy quality of Beaune, with lighter, rounder flavors that often characterize wines of Pernand-Vergelesses. Lush and plush, with lots of concentration, flavors of raspberries and wild strawberries dominate with silky tannins followed by a very long lingering finish.

[jparrott]

It's a good producer. Not tip-top (but Chevillon's '05's are twice those prices and more), but those prices are very good. And it is a wonderful vintage.

[ibis888]

A question that may spark an interesting discussion:

I have been fortunate enough over the last several years to fall in love with the world of wine. As I explore the offerings of many regions of the world (I am still trying to work my way through Italy!), I find my tastes moving more and more towards the old world, particularly the wines of Burgundy and the south of France (reading about the personalities of the different producers in Kermit Lynch's book has been a great inspiration).

My experiences with the wines of Burgundy have so far been limited to some enchanting Bourgognes and village wines (it was about a year ago that a Puligny-Montrachet village wine opened my eyes to how amazing white wines can be).

So here is my question: I am considering acquiring a few bottles of some of the nicer premier cru wines from the Cote D'Or to start building a modest "cellar" (read: cuisinart wine cooler). Is the cost of acquisition and effort of storage of these wines worth it? Does the $50-$100+ price tag and the many years of bottle age required to really reach the peak flavor create a signifigantly better experience than a nice bottle of $40 Oregon pinot that can be drunk on release or does some of the fascination of buying and storing these premier and grand crus reside with the deciphering of the vineyards/producers and the acquisition of "trophies"?

One more question while I have everyone's attention: I'd like to try a great bottle before buying up recent vintages ('05) that really should be layed down for several years before being opened. I have seen a few of the so called "good" vintages (1996, 1999) available at MacArthur's... would a nice 1996 1er cru (ex. '96 Daniel Rion Vosne-Romanee Les Chaumes) be in its prime by now? Can I be reasonably assured that the wine won't be cooked from a reputable store like MacArthurs or should I be weary?

Thanks for reading (and replying I hope!)....

My apologies for the long post... but I think that I may be on the verge of jumping into the burgundy deep end and I need all of the support that I can get!

[Wine Guy 23]

A question that may spark an interesting discussion:

I have been fortunate enough over the last several years to fall in love with the world of wine. As I explore the offerings of many regions of the world (I am still trying to work my way through Italy!), I find my tastes moving more and more towards the old world, particularly the wines of Burgundy and the south of France (reading about the personalities of the different producers in Kermit Lynch's book has been a great inspiration).

My experiences with the wines of Burgundy have so far been limited to some enchanting Bourgognes and village wines (it was about a year ago that a Puligny-Montrachet village wine opened my eyes to how amazing white wines can be).

So here is my question: I am considering acquiring a few bottles of some of the nicer premier cru wines from the Cote D'Or to start building a modest "cellar" (read: cuisinart wine cooler). Is the cost of acquisition and effort of storage of these wines worth it? Does the $50-$100+ price tag and the many years of bottle age required to really reach the peak flavor create a signifigantly better experience than a nice bottle of $40 Oregon pinot that can be drunk on release or does some of the fascination of buying and storing these premier and grand crus reside with the deciphering of the vineyards/producers and the acquisition of "trophies"?

One more question while I have everyone's attention: I'd like to try a great bottle before buying up recent vintages ('05) that really should be layed down for several years before being opened. I have seen a few of the so called "good" vintages (1996, 1999) available at MacArthur's... would a nice 1996 1er cru (ex. '96 Daniel Rion Vosne-Romanee Les Chaumes) be in its prime by now? Can I be reasonably assured that the wine won't be cooked from a reputable store like MacArthurs or should I be weary?

Thanks for reading (and replying I hope!)....

My apologies for the long post... but I think that I may be on the verge of jumping into the burgundy deep end and I need all of the support that I can get!

1st question: The mystery and fascination with Burgundy is the ability to recognize and appreciate the dramatic difference between villages and the cru's from within. when you look at oregon now days, there are amazing producers that reside there, many that make wine in a so called 'burgundy' manor, and there are those who make wine in a "wine writers" manor, hoping to get the points of press, and have to ability for shelf life, and later pleasure. When you begin to build your cellar, dont just buy what people say to buy, buy what you officially like, because you are the one drinking it in the end. hit vintages that are on and off years, the off years you can drink while the on years age. for burgundy, the 05's got a lot of praise, red and whites will be of no question, just like 02. though with years in between like 04, drink this now for its charm, but not longevity (red), white though will hold out. 99, 96, 93, 90 are all exceptional years that drink well, and will continue to over the yearss. 01, 00, 98, 97, 95, 92, are years that you must look at with a fine eye, bc some are reaching an early peak, and some are more for white wine than red. your price range is more than suitable for now

2. D.Rion is a great producer, (though now there is a new hand at the wheel, so watch out, quality will vary for a while... look for Patrice rion after 2003), the only question you should have in mind; is the bottle standing up, or is it laying down. is the shop over 75 degrees, has it been there since 97, or 98? how is the fill in the neck? other than that, you should grab the damn thing!!

[ibis888]

1st question: The mystery and fascination with Burgundy is the ability to recognize and appreciate the dramatic difference between villages and the cru's from within. when you look at oregon now days, there are amazing producers that reside there, many that make wine in a so called 'burgundy' manor, and there are those who make wine in a "wine writers" manor, hoping to get the points of press, and have to ability for shelf life, and later pleasure. When you begin to build your cellar, dont just buy what people say to buy, buy what you officially like, because you are the one drinking it in the end. hit vintages that are on and off years, the off years you can drink while the on years age. for burgundy, the 05's got a lot of praise, red and whites will be of no question, just like 02. though with years in between like 04, drink this now for its charm, but not longevity (red), white though will hold out. 99, 96, 93, 90 are all exceptional years that drink well, and will continue to over the yearss. 01, 00, 98, 97, 95, 92, are years that you must look at with a fine eye, bc some are reaching an early peak, and some are more for white wine than red. your price range is more than suitable for now

2. D.Rion is a great producer, (though now there is a new hand at the wheel, so watch out, quality will vary for a while... look for Patrice rion after 2003), the only question you should have in mind; is the bottle standing up, or is it laying down. is the shop over 75 degrees, has it been there since 97, or 98? how is the fill in the neck? other than that, you should grab the damn thing!!

Thanks! I have had a lot of West Coast pinot and really enjoy them but the really good bourgogne's (05' Arnaud Pere & Fils Bourgogne is my current favorite) and village burgundy's that I have had just seem to have more to them. I also agree, the intrigue of the region holds a certain fascination as well. I can only imagine how some of these 1er Crus will be.

I've accumulated several bottles so far:

96' D. Rion Vosne-Romanee Les Chaumes

96' D. Laurent Chambolle-Musigny Les Sentiers

99' d'Angerville Volnay Les Friemiets

02' N. Rossignol Volnay Les Chevrets

05' R. Leclerc Gevrey-Chambertin Lavaux St. Jacques

05' Hospices de Beaune Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er Cru Cuvee Arthur Girard

05' P. Bouley Volnay Clos des Chenes

The older bottles were all from MacArthurs and had good fill levels, no seepage, the caps turned freely etc. etc. I have read that Laurent uses a lot of oak and have seen a lot of his wine still on shelves but several people have recomended him... it may be an interesting bottle.

I have been trying to gather a variety of different wines from a variety of producers and regions around the Cote D'Or to try to hone in on what I like. I'm trying to get a spread of vintages so that I will have a few bottles to drink here and there while I wait for the '05s to age (hopefully I will still love wine in 10 years!). From what I have read, the Volnays and Vosne-Romanees may be the most compatible with my tastes but of course only actually tasting the wines will confirm that.

I can't wait to try these... now all I need is a bigger cellar and more $$!