2017 has been a remarkable year for our wine journey, from geeky blind tastings to extravagant wine events, there was not a single dull moment in all the wine gatherings. Thanks to all my friends for making this possible!
10. 2003 d’Auvenay Mazis Chambertin
D’Auvenay Mazis Chambertin is a different kettle of fish in Gevrey Chambertin. It is majestic, classy and generous while remaining elegant and subtle. We were quite surprised by this wine, it has no resemblance to this vintage. Gorgeous array of flavours with some 2004 under-ripe characteristics. Profound floral nose. Ethereal, mixed dark berries, buttery, ultra pure and oak chips, lovely sweetness and wonderful terroir. Amazing purity and incredible intensity without the heaviness. Seductive.
97-98/100
9. 1999 Vogue Musigny (ex-domaine bottle)
This Vogue Musigny is pretty much a Les Amoureuses on steroids!! Vogue Musigny 1999 is the epitome of the ‘iron fist in velvet glove’. At 17 years of age, it tasted like it has just been bottled! Freshness is comparable to 2005 top Grand Cru, with a tad more 99 sophistication. Ribena concentration with pure blackcurrent extract, pomegranate, violet, minerality backbone. Drop dead gorgeous aromas and potency. A muscular baby, more fragrant than the Bonnes Mares 99. Incredible aromas that really stick with you. Drink from 2032.
97-98/100
8. 2004 Leroy Vosne Romanee
I cannot think of a producer greater than Domaine Leroy, her wines are truly unique and extraordinary. This 2004 Vosne Romanee village is no ordinary wine. Lalou Bize-Leroy declassified all her Grand Cru and Premier cru grapes to her village wines in 2004 as she grieved for her late husband. All the grapes from Romanee Saint Vivant, Richebourg, Les Beaux Monts, Les Genaivrieres , and Aux Brulees went into this 2004 village Vosne Romanee wine! This 2004 Vosne Romanee is super perfumed, great concentration and depth. Serious Grand Cru level that is drinking well now. Seductive on the nose, intense, persistent with an impressive concentration. Magical!
96/100
7. 1961 Haut-Brion
An honour to try this 1961 Haut Brion! Tasted next to Haut Brion 2000 and 1989. This 1961 Haut-Brion is majestic and incredibly complex. Deep leathery, smoky tobacco with a layer of sweet dark fruits, red plums, and underbrush gravel. Beautiful concentration and power. Incredible harmony between elegance and structure, the smoky leathery and deep fruits resonates on your palate for a whole minute. Off the charts complexity and length. Makes me wonder how the 1989 Haut-Brion would taste like in 28 years time.
99/100
6. 1989 Haut-Brion
The 1989 Haut Brion is the PERFECT WINE!! 1989 Haut Brion has the perfect combination of opulence, elegance, and hedonism. Excellent richness and refinement, perfectly ripe and silky fruits. Creme de cassis, deep gravel accent, full-bodied yet not excessive. At 28 years of age, it is young and drinking well now, but will last for many more decades. The 1989 Haut Brion has the perfect roundness and plush, velvety texture of Haut Brion. It is perfect in every way, I am left speechless. A flawless wine.
100/100
5. 1998 G. Roumier Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses
G. Roumier Les Amoureuses is one of the rarest wines in Burgundy. Roumier owns 0.39 hectares of vines in Les Amoureuses, and roughly 1,400 bottles made each year. This is a truly gorgeous wine, each swirl unfolds more of its beauty. Grand Cru serious depth and great intensity, vibrant dark fruits and delicate minerality, nicely laced fragrant. Young and maturing at a glacial rate. Beguiling sense of energy and stony accent, true to the terroir. Serious wine. What is left to say? A wine that is perfumed, silky, and stunning in its quality.
96/100
4. 2001 Jacky Truchot Clos de la Roche
Jacky Truchot is one of the most spectacular Burgundy Domaines ever – traditional style, no cold maceration, old vines but very high yield, no fining or filtering, minimal new oak. All of which means his wines are in the purest form, and expresses the terroir in another perspective. This 2001 Clos de la Roche is as feminine as Clos de la Roche can be. Sweet fragrance and sophisticated, extremely delicate and elegant. Very fruity and packed with purity. Not concentrated but very fragrant and graceful.
95/100
3. 2009 d’Auvenay Meursault 1er Cru Les Gouttes d’Or
This elusive d’Auvenay has the concentration and finesse of a top Grand Cru, a clear and powerful latent energy. d’Auvenay wines not only has exceptional concentration and extracted flavours, they also have seamless balance and beautiful harmony. After warming up, a huge popcorn and guernsey butter fragrant explodes with stunning white flower, warm stone fruits, and exotic spices emerging gracefully. Utterly seamless finish. Gorgeous!
97++/100
Thank you for sharing this incredible wine, Jerome!
2. 1974 Martha’s Vineyard Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon
What an honour to taste this legendary wine in blind!! This is the first time I have ever seen this bottle, and probably my last. Tasted blind – Incredible sweet and floral, dark chocolate, mature fragrance, pronounce eucalyptus note, deep rich complexity and soft wood smoke, sexy and top Nebbiolo like? 1975? For a moment it reminded me of 1961 Bordeaux, but this was a lot more fragrant and is unbelievably sweeter. Stunning complexity.
97-98/100
Thanks for sharing this once in a lifetime wine, Christian!
1. 1995 Krug Clos d’Ambonnay
Finally, the number 1 winner of 2017 is the elusive Krug Clos d’Ambonnay. 1995 is the first vintage of Clos d’Ambonnay, a tiny 0.68ha 100% Pinot Noir vineyard in the heart of Ambonnay. Only 3000 bottles made!
It is an absolute pleasure to drink this 1995 Krug Clos d’Ambonnay. Fragrance at its max! Sweet floral nose and caramel, baked apple pie, high end french dessert. Astonishingly youthful and muscular. Deep and layered with sublime perfumes. Fine French pastries, sugary, rocks. Full-bodied and excellent balance and sharp acidity, round and harmonious. Incredibly sexy. Serious density and intensity. A league on its own. Exceptional wine!
98/100
Thank you Archie for sharing the most hedonistic Champagne ever!🍾
Top young wines
2011 Comte Lafon Montrachet
2009 Rousseau Chambertin Clos de Beze
2016 Chateau Lafleur
2012 Vogue Chambolle Musigny Les Amoureuses
2014 Roulot Meursault 1er Cru Les Perrieres
Worth mentioning
2002 Soldera Riserva, 1993 Vogue Musigny Blanc (ex-domaine), 1998 Petrus, 2004 Coche Dury Puligny Montrachet Les Enseigneres, 2005 Jacques Selosse, 1995 DRC Romanee St Vivant, 1947 Mouton Rothschild, 1985 Krug, 2009 d’Auvenay Meursault Les Navaux, 2006 d’Auvenay Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatieres, 1995 G. Roumier Bonnes Mares, 2000 Rousseau Chambertin, 1998 Conterno Barolo Monfortino, 1996 Krug, 1990 Cheval Blanc, 1996 Louis Jadot Montrachet, 1990 Margaux, 1970 Vega Sicilia, 2001 DRC Grands Echezeaux, 1955 Haut Brion, 1998 Rousseau Chambertin Clos de Beze
