Burgundy

From the Cave of Delights, like Montus XL ’96. Initially not quite a harmonious whole, but on warming and extended aeration, came together well …

Given the comparative ripeness of the 2005 vintage, this is a bit of a lean, mean, minerally Puligny. Mid gold. Dry, smoky, ‘gunflint’, mineral-led …

A good show for how widespread quality reached in a quality year like 2009. A nice, ripe – yet refreshing, minerally – Chardonnay. Medium …

A revelation in Beaujolais! And a step up from the non-specified vineyard Moulin-à-Vent Jadot bottling. Medium ruby, if not darker. Black pepper, oak spice …

Not necessarily an auspicious vintage or producer, but a very interesting Burgundy nevertheless. Fragrant aromatics are the key to this, though sadly just missing …

A slightly ‘hard’ streak of acidity takes this a little out-of-balance, which is a shame, for an otherwise pretty good wine. Pale gold. Medium …

Coming into maturity now. Pale-medium ruby, with a narrow watery rim. Medium+ intensity gamey, chilli spice nose, over plummy, cherry fruit. Some smoky minerality …

First bottle deeper-golden and nuttier than it should have been – premox! Boo… But the following bottle showed just how well this wine is …

A kind gift from Mabel. A good example of the vintage I think, from a value AOC in Southern Burgundy. And the first time …

Picked up somewhat randomly, so a good opportunity to test both the 2006 vintage and Dujac’s well-respected wines. Limpid ruby-garnet colour with a medium, …