Tasting Notes
Robert Parker 92-94
The 2013 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru has a sensual bouquet in the making with ample ripe black cherries and blueberry on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied with clearly a lot of toasty new oak that dominates the back end. It needs more fruit to be able to support this, which is why I will defer judgement until the Grand Cru is in bottle. This domaine in the heart of Gevrey Village has one of the most impressive portfolios of premier and grand crus in the Cote de Nuits. Few growers can claim to have eight grand crus under their wing. Winemaker Philippe Drouhin faced the same challenges as everyone else including 17 days of rain in May when temperatures were 3.6 degrees below average and a protracted flowering from June 20 until July 7, commencing the harvest on October 4. The vines had been affected by coulure and millerandage, so sorting had to be done, both in the vineyard and in the winery. In many ways, everything I wanted to say about this grower was written in the introduction of their 2012s last year. These can be excellent wines when they want to be, but I would like them to be excellent wines more often. Occasionally there are some "belters." The Musigny Grand Cru was seared with all the audacity and nobility you could shake a stick at, the Mazoyeres-Chamberetin and Chambertin Clos-de-Beze full of "stuffing," the Clos de Vougeot stylish. But then some other cuvees, such as the Bonnes-Mares, Chapelle-Chambertin and Charmes-Chambertin just seem to lack the harmony and conviction you expect from these vineyards. Here is the rub. Philippe kindly let me taste from one-year-old barrels from the same cooperage so that I could compare and contrast. If I am being honest, in all but the top three wines I felt that they did not require too much more new wood, which they ineluctably will receive by the end of their 18-month elevage. So, whereas in 2012 I felt that the vintage gave them the concentration to support that level of new oak, in 2013 I am less convinced, hence some of my more prudent scores. In a nutshell, I just know that this domaine has the parcels of vine to be up there with the Rousseau’s of this this world. It just needs a little…fine-tuning.
Burghound 92-94
A deft application of wood frames restrained and distinctly cool aromas of various red berries, herbal tea, earth and a hint of smoked meat. The big, robust and imposing big-bodied flavors possess excellent mid-palate concentration that coats the mouth and buffers the firm, dusty and seriously persistent finish. I like the balance and this should amply repay 12 to 15 years of aging.
