Union Grands Crus Bordeaux 2021 Vintage Tasting- Rouges

 58 wines tasted in total this year, at the Union Grands Crus Bordeaux tasting in SF. 

I purposely went into the tasting with no knowledge of the 2021 season so I could taste and assess without any preconceptions or expectations. 

It became pretty clear that many reds struggled to achieve ripeness this vintage, with overall, the Right Bank showing better collectively, than the Left Bank. 

That said, it seemed that the areas further south got more ripe flavors with Margaux and Pessac-Leognan along with their cousins across the river in Pomerol and St. Emilion showing the best, this early in their aging. One common theme throughout my notes was purity. Many wines had outstanding purity of fruit.

My plan this year, was to hit my favorite region first, with a fresh palate. That was Margaux. Then I worked my way through St. Julien and some St. Estephe and Pauillac, which I then did the Pessac/Graves whites and Sauternes. Following that refresher and a bit of cheese, I finished the reds. 

Where the 2020s showed a lot of brightness and high-toned notes dominated by red fruit flavors, the fruit on these 2021s was notably darker in profile. Much more black fruit. I "scored them" in my book only so I could list them here in order of top down by my personal preference.

MARGAUX- My top 3, all receiving about the same love, came from Brane-Cantenac, Dauzac and Prieure-Lichine. 

Brane-Cantenac lead with aromas of leafy currant and sweet pipe tobacco along with forest/brush notes. It is a richly textured wine with red and black berries and plum flavors. Great acidity here and a long finish on cassis and cedar, seeming to get darker at the end.

Dauzac at 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot had a mineral nose. Loads of blue and black fruit here with great purity and depth. Really tasty wine even this young. 

Prieure-Lichine had a nose of blackcurrant leaf, cassis and plum. Also a nice, rich texture here, luscious and dark in flavors. Plum, cassis and a touch of a savory edge added an interesting component. Very nice.

Cantenac Brown has a pure blackcurrant nose with hints of leaves. A touch leaner than those above, it still shows nice concentration and depth of flavor. Black fruit leaning into blue with a long finish. 

Desmirail, one of my favorite finds last year, shows a nose of dried currant and plum with some dried herbs. Loads of red and black fruits here with racy acidity. A leaner, more elegant wine this vintage, it's very nice and should show nice unfurling with some age. 

Giscours has a toasty, savory nose tinged with minerals and black fruits. On the palate, there is good acid to balance the darkness and weight. It's dense, with loads of black fruit. Very nice, but definitely needs some time to relax and better integrate. 

The wine from Malescot Saint-Exupery has an interesting earthy nose of forest floor with dark, black-leaning fruit. The palate is very savory with flavors of cassis and plum. This wine shows great persistence and is nice from start to finish. 

Another nice wine came from Marquips de Terme.  Wonderfully aromatic with blueberry and plum. It's a pretty wine, with lots of freshness and purity along with a velvety texture. Rich in coacoa dust, blue and black fruits. 

A nice effort as well, from Lascombes with a pure nose of black currant, and turned, damp soil. The pure cassis is also leading the flavor profile and I wrote "deep purple" though no music was playing. Rich an ripe with good balance and a nice structure. 

Kirwan has a nice nose of Kirsch and cassis and is vibrant on the palate, though there is a touch of tartness in the fruit. Great acidity and in time, I think this will be lovely. 

Rauzan-Segla is driven by aromas of red and black fruit over black tea. The flavors are black fruits with accents of red berried. It also has black tea and a savory note, which is nice. 

du Tertre is showing its oak with a nose leading by espresso and cocoa, over black fruits. Interesting flavors suggesting tar and soil with black fruits over an earthy, savory frame. There is nice acid to balance the weighty, dark flavors. It also has a nice, long finish. 

SAINT-JULIEN- Favorites here were dominated by Barton. 

Langoa Barton had a nice label to commemorate their 200th anniversary. Aromas here of pipe tobacco with red and black berry and cherry fruit. This wine has great texture! Nicely balanced, darker leaning in it's fruit flavors and a savory edge. Very nice. 

Leoville Barton was probably my favorite from this AOC. It has a prettier, more floral nose over all those dark fruits. I jotted down "sexy." It has a very finessed palate and is really a pretty wine with excellent complexity of dark cherry, berry and plum flavors. 

Next in line of my preferences, comes Branaire-Ducru with dark aromas that are a touch resinous with lots of black plum. It is dark and earthy on the palate with a touch of roasted herbs. Loads of plum and currant fruit here and nice complexity. 

Gruaud Larose has a rich, pure nose with lots of cassis and Kirsch. Focused flavors on the palate of blue and black fruits. Nicely made. 

Lagrange has aromas of red and black fruit over espresso notes. Rich and savory on the palate with lusciousness. The dark fruit flavors are balanced by racy acidity. 

The wine from Leoville Poyferre has a nice nose of cedar-tinged blue and black fruit. It's dark and rich but a bit closed off right now. More time is required for this to relax some. 

Gloria has a mossy, underbrush lead nose. It drinks a bit light and is very closed down right now. A leaner expression that should show better with a few more years in bottle. 

Another lean and lithe, though fairly closed down wine came from Talbot. It's nice, but hard to get much out of it at the present. 

The wines from PAUILLAC for me were much more varied. 

There were nice expressions from Duhart-Milon and d'Armailhac. Duhart-Milon had red and black fruit aromas over blackcurrant leaf. On the palate, heavy black tea flavors over black currant and plum, It's a touch stemmy. 

d'Armailhac has nice balance in the earthy notes present and fruit. Black tea and wood, but less green notes than others from this region. 

Clerc Milon has a nice nose of red and black fruits with an earthy streak. On the palate, red and black fruits with lots of plum skin. It's a tannic wine. Once more cohesion occurs in bottle, this may flesh out nicely. 

Batailley has a nose of leafy, stemmy black currant. There was an interesting flavor I could only describe as sarsparilla over leaner red berry fruit. It's got loads of acidity, but for me, lacked the body to balance it out. It would be interesting to revisit it down the line some. 

Lynch Bages was a favorite in 2020. This vintage has aromas of red fruits both floral and a touch stemmy. The palate has an interesting edge of licorice over bright, higher toned, red-leaning cherry and berry fruit. It reads a touch green and underripe on the palate. Once it develops more, it'll definitely be best with food. 

Following Lynch Bages, the wine from Ormes de Pez from SAINT-ESTEPHE. This wine has a stemmy nose of red fruit and licorice. On the palate, it's lean and earthy with lots of green notes showing. The fruit is red in nature and leaning a bit tart. 

The wine from Phelan Segur was nice. I wrote that the nose had hints of what I could only describe as glue. Aside from that, on the palate, it has nice crunchy red fruit flavors with good balance. There is a touch of stemminess, but it's well integrated with the fruit so not a detractor. 

The other region that, for me, showed the best in this vintage, was PESSAC-LEOGNAN. Here, my top wines were from Carbonnieux, de Chevalier and Smith Haut Lafitte. 

Carbonnieux showed nice mineral qualities and acidity with a lovely mixture of red, blue and black fruit. It's a lively, vibrant wine. 

There was great minerality on the wine from de Chevalier, balancing red and black berry fruit with a touch of blueberry and plum. Very nice wine. 

Smith Haut Lafitte exhibited a pretty nose of florals and berries. It had a lovely purity to it. Great balance and structure.

Another nice wine here came from de Fieuzal which was well made. Clean, integrated and just plain tasty. 

Pape Clement was also very nice with a good, clean nose and on the palate, a savory edge that balanced out the tartness coming from cherry and underripe plum notes. 

The red from Chateau de France was also pleasant with nice Bing cherry flavors. Clean and pretty. 

I only tried two wines from HAUT-MEDOC.  The first was a nice example by La Tour Carnet with a nose of black plum and cherry. Excellent purity here, with flavors of savory plum and cherry. 

The other was from La Lagune. Aromas of tomato and currant leaves with cherry and plum. It has a nice palate and medium body and I found the present "stemminess" to be under control. Nice effort. 

On to the Right Bank, where there was real consistency of high quality in their wines. I'd have thought perhaps that wines driven by Merlot with much more Cabernet Franc would appear green and herbaceous, but they seemed to get ripeness that much of the Left Bank did not. 

SAINT-EMILION

My highest praise goes to Clos Fourtet and Pavie Macquin.

Clos Fourtet had a gorgeous nose of black cherry and Kirsch, which were also evident on the palate with excellent purity of fruit. Flavors of spiced red and black cherry with plum and a touch of earth. Outstanding balance and layers on this wine. 

There was great cherry and plum aromas on the Pavie Macquin with a wonderful texture on the palate and great depth of flavor with black cherry and plum. Very nice wine!

Just behind those two, was Larcis Ducasse with a nose of black cherry and a touch of pleasant herb. The flavors are red and black cherry with a touch of plum and a savory streak. Very nice wine that ends on toasty cocoa. 

Also, La Dominique with its cherry and plum accented by notes of black tea on the nose. Flavors of blackcurrant leaf and plum along with black cherry skins. Good layers here. 

Just behind those two, was Villemaurine. Floral nose with bright red cherry aromas and currant. On the palate, it's a leaner wine, but very pretty. Lovely elegance and finesse here.

Having visited in June, I was anxious to check out the new vintage from the Count, from Canon-La-Gaffeliere. Deeper nose of black currant and waves of florals. The palate reads delicate, but is balanced with a nice mix of red and black berries, cherries and plum. Finishes on a cedar note and was very nice. A pretty wine. 

On to Canon, with a bright and pretty cherry aroma. This was all red to me, with a mix of cherries and currants. Pretty with nice balance. 

I also enjoyed the wine from Grand Mayne with its aromas of flowers and red cherries. On the palate, the red fruit is perceived as a touch tart, but it's over all, a nice wine. 

Next, on to POMEROL. Again, great consistency of quality. Top marks go to the wines from Le Bon Pasteur and Clinet followed closely by Petit-Village then Le Gay. 

Le Bon Pasteur smells of savory black fruit. The palate follows with excellent depth and concentration. It's complex and very, very good. 

The nose on Clinet is pure cherry and currant that's just lovely. On the palate, the wine has great elegance with pretty, floral essence under bright red cherry and red currant fruit. Very nice wine. 

With the addition of 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine from Petit-Village was distinct for this reason over its neighbors. It's aromas were of brandied black cherry with a touch of licorice. It had nice flavors of plum and black cherry with some bay leaf and that same hint of licorice, all with a nice, savory edge. Nice, deep and complex. 

The wine from Le Gay had a nose of black plum and Luxardo cherry. A really inviting aroma. Also possessing a nice, savory edge, this was darker with black fruits, like plum and black cherry all with accents of black tea. 

Next, a nice wine from La Cabanne. Loads of black cherry and plum. The palate shows a touch of green herbs, but it's balanced out nicely with lots of plum and cherry fruit. Definitely more a food wine after some more time. 

Another wine that smelled of black and Luxardo cherry, was from Beauregard. This has flavors of tea, with a touch of green, stemmy flavor, but sweetened with nice plum and black cherry fruit. 

Union Grands Crus Bordeaux 2021 Vintage Tasting- Blancs

 I was able to again attend the tasting by the Union Grands Crus Bordeaux in SF. 

I went into the tasting knowing nothing of the vintage, as I wanted to be able to taste them without any preconceptions or knowledge of the season. 

I think I collectively tasted less white wines this year as time simply got away from me. In a vintage that clearly saw more difficult ripening of the reds, the whites showed wonderfully. 

The standouts from PESSAC-LEOGNAN for me came from Pape Clement, Bouscaut and Carbonniuex. 

The nose on the Chateau Bouscuat was a bit muted and un-expressive, but he wine had really nice flavors of orange zest over lemon and crunchy, underripe peach. Lovely acidity. 

Carbonnieux was also not super aromatic, but showed pretty, floral aromas. I found it to be racy and vibrant with nice citrus and melon flavors. Very nice. 

Pape Clement exhibited the most aromatics with loads of lemon, grapefruit and gooseberry and had a really pretty palate and excellent texture. It had ripe tropical and citrus notes with very good balance. 

Also enjoyable, was de Chevalier, which exhibited a somewhat muted nose and a fresh and bright expression that had some woody/stemmy character and fresh herbs. 

A new winery for me, was Chateau de France, with a nose of fresh leaves and herbs and flavors of citrus and zest with grapefruit, lemon and even a hint of line. Nice minerality here. 

Not a lot represented from Barsac or Sauternes this year.

My favorite "sticky" came from Chateau de Rayne Vigneau. Aromas of melon, apricot and hints of toasty hazelnut. Very good wine with flavors of honey and candied apricot and pineapple. Excellent.

Next top was from Doisy-Vedrines, their 2018. Aromas of honeyed apricot and a touch of nuttiness. Exuberant flavors of candied pineapple, candied ginger and dried apricot with a touch of marzipan. Very nicely balanced. 

Then, the wine from Guiraud, a 2016. Less expressive on the nose than the priors but standout remarkable acidity. Flavors of peach, apricot and a touch of vanilla over toasty flavors. Nice. 

Also from 2016, Sigalas Rabaud, with aromas of lemon oil, though not super aromatic. Nice Semillon-type flavors, being very floral with chamomille. A nice wine. 

2016 Tertio de Montrose

 

A super tasty 3rd by a "Super 2nd". 

Nice nose with some still-forward oak over the tell-tale St. Estephe minerality and nice black cherry, blackcurrant, plum and a touch of bay leaf.

Supple on the palate with softened, resolved tannins, nice balanced acidity and freshness. The fruit is bright and ripe, well balanced by good earthiness. For an affordable 3rd label, it checks all the boxes, readily. Enjoy it now.

2021 Ridge Estate Chardonnay

 

This remains, for me, an exemplary Chardonnay from CA exhibiting balance and finesse while being ripe. 

Aromas of D'Anjou pear, golden apple, golden plum with hints of white peach and sweet tangerine. Accents of vanilla and some toasted almond. 

It has perceived richness from the sur lie aging and succulence of the fruit flavors. That is balanced by bright acidity that provides lift and juicyness. There are hints of toast, vanilla and roasted hazelnut from the Oak. Definitely a riper vintage of this wine, but as I expect from Ridge, always in balance with 13.7 abv.  

2011 Bergstrom Winery Block Pinot Noir

 Full disclosure, this is a post Covid/Paxlovid wine. That said, I didn't have any loss of taste or smell aside from slight inhibition due to congestion. 

The aromas are, no other way to put it, an entire farmer's market. Bouquets of fresh cut flowers intermingled with fresh produce. It's only a touch vegetal or "green" but more so containing fresh fruits and tomatoes with some fresh herbs. Savory edge. 

Trying to nail down more specifics, I get aromas of black plum, rhubarb, underripe blackberry with some black currant leaf. 

It also has a very savory flavor profile. A tomato skin/leaf zestiness with rhubarb and underlying black fruits that lean just pre-ripe. Some tartness like that of pomegranate or cranberry. It has a strong edge of herbs de Provence. 

It's a savory, earthy wine that is best suited with food. The salt in a nice cut of meat should reignite some of the more fruity flavors. Beyond that, it's a nicely constructed wine with good balance of acid, alcohol and tannin. 

2020 Maggy Hawk Skycrest Vineyard Chardonnay Anderson Valley

 

A pretty and lifted nose with aromas of juicy pear, white peach, golden apple and hints of sweet pea tendrils and whiffs of lemongrass. Mere wafts of oak. 

On the palate, it balances a nice mouthful with a bright frame of acidity. Flavors of golden apple, Asian and Bartlett pear, and crunchy white peach provide a succulent mouthful of ripe fruit with faint suggestions of zip that suggest ginger and lemongrass. It doesn't linger long due to the mouth-watering acidity but the flavors persist nicely. 

A really lovely, balanced expression. 

2022 Hagafen Sauvignon Blanc

 

This is just about half Napa and half Mendocino counties. It might be the variety of fruit and/or the winemaking, but this is a very pleasant SB. I myself tend to not enjoy too many Sauvignon Blanc wines from Napa, finding them too pithy and abrasively acidic and citrus leaning into grapefruit. 

The ones that provide more melon and tropical notes tend to be more my speed. 

This one offers a nose of lime zest, lemon, yellow melon, loads of minerality and fresh garden greens.

On the palate, well balanced flavors of citrus, melon and juicy tropical notes with hints of green snappy new growth and stone. The acidity is round and generous without being harsh or overbearing with moderate alcohol. A very tasty and refreshing wine. 

This winery is green, sustainable and even Kosher for those who seek these qualities. 

Drinking for a Cazes: 2018 Chateau Ormes de Pez

 Following the enjoyment of this St. Estepehe wine while visiting Lynch Bages in June and the recent passing of the vintner Jean-Michel Cazes, I saw a good price on this at the store and had to grab it. 

Generally, with the exception of Ch. Montrose, St. Estephe isn't my appellation. The wines can be more rustic and austere with more pronounced minerality and "harshness" until they age some. This is a nice example of an approachable wine from this AOC. 

The nose has a nice blend of leafy currant and ripe red and black currant aromas. The iron and graphite minerality is there for sure with hints of redwood and cedar. 

Ripe fruit on the palate without being unctuous or cloying, which is nice at 14.5% abv. That fresh greenness persists but not in an unpleasant way. Flavors of nearly ripe blackberry, black plum and currant lead with underlying red berries to add some brightness. There is grip with the still-resolving tannins which should relax nicely with another 5+ years in bottle. The acid is balanced. Some interesting sassafrass/cola notes emerge toward the finish with the slightest suggestions of black licorice. 

For me, in the immediate future, best with food. A quite nice wine at a reasonable price point (at least where I purchased it). 

Alsace 10 June 2023- Rolly Gassmann & Domaines Schlumberger

 Though a bit of a drive north of Burgundy, I wanted to close our wine trip in Alsace. Partially, because we believe my family hails from the Alsace Lorraine region and partly to add some high acid white wines to our lineup to refresh the palate after such a whirlwind trip and to experience the unique German & French architecture and culture here. 

A must-go for us was Rolly Gassmann. Way back when I worked part time for a boutique distributor in Las Vegas, Gassmann was in our book and I came to see how outstanding their wines are. The first time I'd ever tried Auxerrrois, which was mind blowing. 

So we ventured up past town after town, steeple after steeple before too long many hillsides held ancient castles and battlements. We arrived early, so we got to walk around some and enjoy the breathtaking view from the Rolly Gassmann facility's spacious deck overlooking Rorschwihr. 

Once inside, I was impressed by the scope. I didn't know how large they were and their new facility is super modern. It is balanced by not only their history, but prehistoric history. They have long monk's table after table covered in small rocks up to boulders from all 12 cru of the area. Not only rock and soil types, but ancient oceanic fossils, ancient tree fossils, mammal bones and even ancient tartrate buildup from the uncovered fermentation vessels from way back. It's really fascinating. 

What we weren't prepared for, was getting to taste just about everything they make! Thank Dionysus for spit buckets. In all, I counted about 57 wines. They make the full range of Alsatian whites, Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gewurtztraminer and Auxerrois. It was also intreresting to try their Pinot Noir wines. They also craft the range from drier examples from varietal to reserve bottlings, then up to Vendanges Tardive and Selection Grains Nobles. Some of the standouts of the day for me:

2011 Weingarten de Rorschwihr Sylvaner

2003 Auxerrois de Rorschwihr

2021 Riesling de Rorschwihr Reserve Rolly Gassmann

2015 Silberberg de Rorschwihr SGN

2019 Pinot Gris Reserve Rolly Gassmann

2005 Pinot Gris de Rorschwihr SGN

The varietal wines that overall got my highest marks and were speaking most to me that day for their acidity, balance and complexity were the Pinot Gris and Gewurtz wines. Specifically, an interesting mix of white tea on the 2019 Oberer Weingarten de Rorschwihr Gewurtz and the super floral nose and ginger finish on the 2021 Keppelweg de Rorschwihr.  Another delicious more decadent example would be the 2008 Oberer Weingarten de Rorschwihr VT. There were loads of tangerines and Cara Cara orange on the 2005 Pinot Gris de Rorschwihr SGN. We also got to sample a few from 1994 and 1996 and they're still lush and interesting. I could have easily assembled a case here, but alas, had 3 spaces left in my wine valise and could perhaps fit two more bottles in my suitcase. 

After the epitome of rich Alsatian lunches,

in which I had the veal in mushroom cream sauce with spaetzel (friend's pictured above), we ventured tardily on to our appointment at Domaines Schlumberger. They were great about hosting us though we were late and missed the tour. They were also super generous about letting us taste a wide range of their offerings. 

I think perhaps Alsace is not my region for Pinot Noir, though I did enjoy the Schlumberger bottlings a bit more than those of Gassmann. I think the cold makes them a bit too biting and herbal for me. But for refreshing, high acid whites from dry to sweeter... man! This is where it's at. Schlumberger offers a nice range of Grand Cru bottlings (which for the uninitiated, are later picked with more RS). 

Burgundy Day Two 9 June 2023: Comtes Senard and JCB les Ursulines

 Our second day in Burgundy was affected from the start by a language barrier issue. We got to sleep in some and began our day later with a planned lunch experience at Domaine Comtes Senard. We arrived to them letting us know the lunch was fully booked and we were not on the list. In all the busy-ness in planning, I took for granted the email in French was a confirmation. Seems it was simply an acknowledgement my request was received, follwed by an email I took to be all good, but if I'd examined it closer, would have at least recognized the universal word, regret. 

In any case, they were very accommodating in offering us a tour of the grounds, caves and a seated tasting, which was very magnanimous. I feel like we may have tasted 3 wines, but I only photographed two. We enjoyed the 2016 Grand Cru Corton "Les Perrieres" and the 2005 Grand Cru Corton Les Paulandes. Lovely wines exhibiting power and complexity with nice finesse in balance. Had to leave with a bottle, so I worked with them on the best library vintage to best suit my preferences. The lunch does look quite enjoyable so hope to make it back someday for it. 

After a Burgundian lunch, we were off to sample the wines of Jean Claude Boisset at Les Ursulines. Touring this ancient monastic estate with fully preserved areas of their sacrament-making and housing along with another impressive cave system was great. They are also built into a hillside which we got to hike up for stunning views of the surrounding grand cru hillsides and over Nuits Saint-Georges. They offer a nice video presentation in their more modern reception building, followed by a step back in time. They focus heavily on the earth's energies, which are exemplified throughout the impressive facility. 

On top of the hill in an enclave of apple trees is an oculus.  It looks down into a room in the cellar with a reflective orb. Pretty cool.

Here, we got to experience 5 each white and red wines from a range of their bottlings. Every single wine was of exceptional quality and was simply delicious! We also barrel tasted a couple of wines.

2022 Bourgogne Chardonnay Les Ursulines

     Crisp, fresh and bright with good texture. A riper, luscious, more modern style.

2021 Marsannay

     Aromas of peach and lychee with citrus with a touch of marzipan. Nice texture and well integrated with a bit of salinity. Flavors of apple, pear and underripe apricot. Nice acidity.

2020 Santenay 1er Cru Passetemps

     Nice oak spice on the nose. Apple tart in its aromas. It has mouth-watering acid. Vibrant apple and peach on the palate along with citrus brightness. It is both ripe and luscious, exhibiting great balance.

2021 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Terres Blanches

     1 barrel production! This wine is Pinot Blanc. It had a briny nose with a touch of white pepper over pear and apple aromas along with Charentais melon. On the palate, floral and spicy with white pepper and suggestions of coriander. Baked golden apple flavors along with poached pear, lemon curd and a hint of tarragon. It leans savory and spice laden. A very pleasant and interesting wine.

2020 Saint-Aubin 1er Cru En Remilly

     Not a very generous nose at first. Floral and crisp with a touch of oak spice. On the palate, very juicy fruit with flavors of citrus, nectarine, apricot and lemon with Comice pear and yellow apple. Excellent integration with balancing acidity. 

2022 Bourgogne Pinot Noir Les Ursulines

     Has a bright cherry and currant nose. On the palate, it's loaded with fresh, crunchy fruits like red apple skin, sherry, currant and underripe raspberry. A fresh and easy style that drinks nicely.

2020 Chambolle-Musigny

     Darker fruit here on a powerful nose. (tasted 4th in red lineup, but I kept the listing as it was printed for us) Blackberry aromas with red and black currant and just a touch leafy. Also, red and black plums. On the palate, it has a voluptuous entry with big, ripe berry and plum flavors. Some fresh prune and turkey fig add to its complexity. Nice edge of spice. 

2021 Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru Les Valozieres

     Spicy, savory nose that is a touch rustic and exhibits clay and dry red berry, like currant and cranberry. It has a forward pungency on the palate, with flavors of tart red fruits. Cranberry, cherry and a touch of green strawberry along with a streak of minerality. Loads of tension in this wine, so have with a meal or give it time. 

2021 Maranges 1er Cru La Fuissiere

     Possesses lovely floral aromas and ripe red fruits with red flowers. Bright acidity on the entry lead by Christmas spices and cinnamon candy. Orange zest. All through, it's a citrus-backed mouthful of floral potpourri and red berries. 

2020 Corton-Les Renardes Grand Cru

     Densely colored in the glass and with a "wild" nose of sous bois, leather, animal, terra cotta, sage and dark fruits. Mezmerizing in its layers of aroma. Flavors of Chambord, black plum, blackberry, currants and a touch of boysenberry with spice, and kirsch/Luxardo cherry. Also contains a slight truffle savory character. It retains nice balance for all the power therein.

Following this tasting we drove up to Vosne Romanee to view DRC vineyards and Clos de Vougeot.