Onwards with the Burgundy tastings. Here we have a village level wine from Vosne-Romanée.
On pouring, I thought this wine was faulty, so funky were some of the smells emerging from glass. But it wasn't -- it's just on the wilder side of Pinot, and perhaps all the better for it. Complex aromas of pepper, stalk, sous-bois and bright red strawberry fruit intermingle on the nose, but these descriptors may give false impression of my certainty -- it's a subtle, changeable nose that has evolved a fair bit through the evening. Quite expressive and beautifully perfumed.
When I first sipped the wine, I found the acid overwhelmingly assertive. This subsided after an hour or so to reveal a still-bright but more balanced palate. Entry is lively and immediate, with acidity registering, followed quickly by sweet, plummy red fruit. Complexity builds towards the middle palate, where notes of pepper and spice become quite prominent. There are also smoky, meaty edges to the flavour profile, as well as a bit of vanilla oak. I wouldn't call this a "clean" wine, but it's funky and interesting in the most positive way. Body is medium, as is intensity. The wine continues well through the after palate, with a slightly confected note emerging towards the back of the mouth, lingering on through a finish of good length.
I must say, I do like this wine a lot. It has changed a fair amount through the evening, gaining weight and body whilst not losing its fundamentally bright profile. I enjoy the slightly wild flavours too -- squeaky clean fruit bombs can get boring after a while. There's definitely a few years in this wine yet, but if you must drink now, do decant for a couple of hours, or at least sip slowly.
Jacques Cacheux & Fils
Price: $A55
Closure: Cork
Date tasted: February 2008
On pouring, I thought this wine was faulty, so funky were some of the smells emerging from glass. But it wasn't -- it's just on the wilder side of Pinot, and perhaps all the better for it. Complex aromas of pepper, stalk, sous-bois and bright red strawberry fruit intermingle on the nose, but these descriptors may give false impression of my certainty -- it's a subtle, changeable nose that has evolved a fair bit through the evening. Quite expressive and beautifully perfumed.
When I first sipped the wine, I found the acid overwhelmingly assertive. This subsided after an hour or so to reveal a still-bright but more balanced palate. Entry is lively and immediate, with acidity registering, followed quickly by sweet, plummy red fruit. Complexity builds towards the middle palate, where notes of pepper and spice become quite prominent. There are also smoky, meaty edges to the flavour profile, as well as a bit of vanilla oak. I wouldn't call this a "clean" wine, but it's funky and interesting in the most positive way. Body is medium, as is intensity. The wine continues well through the after palate, with a slightly confected note emerging towards the back of the mouth, lingering on through a finish of good length.
I must say, I do like this wine a lot. It has changed a fair amount through the evening, gaining weight and body whilst not losing its fundamentally bright profile. I enjoy the slightly wild flavours too -- squeaky clean fruit bombs can get boring after a while. There's definitely a few years in this wine yet, but if you must drink now, do decant for a couple of hours, or at least sip slowly.
Jacques Cacheux & Fils
Price: $A55
Closure: Cork
Date tasted: February 2008
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