A tight and backward nose features moderately ripe aromas of earthy blue and black fruit, spice and subtle animale hints that carry over to the powerful, mouth coating and very serious broad-shouldered flavors brimming with dry extract and plenty of muscle on the mouth coating and palate staining finish that has plenty of the classic Clos de Vougeot youthful austerity. This is a big wine in the context of the vintage and will require the better part of two decades to arrive at its majority. Patience required. May 06, 2011, Allen Meadow's (Burghound.com)
Here the reduction is so strong that it completely dominates the nose though the flavors are classic Chambertin as they're cool, reserved and built on a base of minerality. This is both textured and concentrated, particularly in the context of the vintage and features a dusty, intense, mouth coating and beautifully long if austere finish. Apr 01, 2009, Allen Meadow's (Burghound.com)
This is in the same stylistic camp as the Grands Echézeaux as it is surprisingly understated and subtle with an intensely floral nose of red and black fruit aromas that are nuanced and beautifully elegant, merging seamlessly into linear, reserved, indeed almost brooding flavors that are as once supple yet precise and detailed, all wrapped in a powerful and muscular finish that delivers striking length. This is a really interesting wine because it's a wine of contrasts yet it works because there is a gorgeous combination of finesse and power and again, I really like the sense of drive and energy here as well as the first rate balance. A terrific '04. Jan 01, 2007, Allen Meadows (Burghound.com)
This too is very aromatically reserved with only glimpses of spicy and exotic perfume that speak of very ripe, even slightly surmature crushed berries, plum and spice because even though the nose is reticent, the intensity of the fruit is magnificent. The flavors are opulent and sumptuously proportioned with massive amounts of sap and dry extract that completely stains and coats the palate before exploding on the hugely long finish. Yes, this is a big, indeed enormous wine but one that never loses its sense of balance and the velvety backend largely buffers the very firm tannins. There is not necessarily great complexity yet but this is the one wine in the range that could easily surprise to the upside as the raw material here is exceptional and while the style is clearly particular relative to what it normally delivers, it has that "wow' factor. Jan 01, 2006, Allen Meadows (Burghound.com)
In contrast to the subtlety of the Petits Monts, this is a full out bruiser with big, robust, admirably intense flavors that are, with the Amoureuses, perhaps the most complex of any wines presented today. Very structured and chewy but not at all hard yet purchasers should be prepared for at least a decade of patience as this will require time to reveal all of its considerable potential. A very impressive effort here. Apr 01, 2003, Allen Meadows (Burghound.com)
Quite deeply colored with the classic La Tâche nose of dried rose petals plus a fantastic array of aromas and spices too numerous to even try to describe that lead to fine| detailed and beautifully textured flavors and terrific length. This is not a La Tâche for the ages as it simply doesn't have the structure and density to enable it to age for two decades or more but it is remarkably complex and has sneaky finishing intensity. I like this a lot for its superb style| grace and penetrating minerality but those who expect the usual level of power and structure won't find it in the 2000. This is actually approachable now though it should age for at least two decades simply on the incredible balance that it displays. Tasted multiple times with consistent notes. Nov 19, 2007, Allen Meadows (Burghound.com)
Earthy, extremely intense aromas of new wood, mocha and a beguiling mix of both red and black fruit followed by somewhat austere yet powerful, nicely intense flavors of exceptionally good precision. There is good concentration and density here and mouth coating tannins that are firm but not hard and unlike the Clos St. Denis, there is no finishing astringency. This will require the better part of a decade to soften its substantial structure. By the standards of the vintage, this is a very serious wine. Apr 01, 2002, Allen Meadow's (Burghound.com)
Reserved, closed, borderline austere fruit and edgy with sweet, delicious and fine flavors plus a finish that is complex and quite solidly structured. Rich, ripe and powerful in the context of the vintage. Jan 01, 2003, Allen Meadows' (Burghound.com)
An expressive and very Vosne nose that has begun its transition phase reveals ripe and very spicy aromas that are a pretty mix of primary black fruit and secondary notes (though no sous-bois). The solidly concentrated medium full flavors are moderately robust and still underpinned by firm and mouth coating tannins as well as an impressively long finish that displays more than a touch of austerity, even after an hour of air. When I first tasted this from cask, it seemed a bit disjointed but it has clearly come together and while I'm not sure that it will ever become a true knockout as the finish is just a touch lean, it's undoubtedly slightly better than I originally projected. Oct 13, 2007, Allen Meadow's (Burghound.com)
This remains relatively primary though there are subtle secondary hints creeping in to add nuance to the stunning nose of ripe red and black fruits, oriental spices, tea and leather notes. There is superb intensity to the dense, serious and strikingly complex flavors that are underpinned by ripe tannins and huge length on the balanced, mouth coating and dazzling finish. The personality here is edgy, cool, confident and pure with the ripe acidity framing the flavors and the finish here is wonderfully focused. It's worth pointing out that while this is still on the way up, I was pleasantly surprised at how approachable the '98 LT was even though there is more development potential to realize. Multiple and consistent notes. Jan 10, 2012, Allen Meadows (Burghound.com)
(with thanks to Ted Kalota). There is grand cru breed and elegance on the airy and perfumed nose that is turning toward the secondary while offering a lovely array of spice elements. The attractively sleek medium-bodied and finely detailed flavors aren't especially concentrated while evidencing an abundance of minerality on the slightly tangy but not really drying finish that delivers solid depth and length. In short, this is a fine if not truly outstanding Rousseau Clos St. Jacques that has arrived at full maturity though it should hold here for many years. Tasted many times over the years with mostly consistent notes. Mar 03, 2019, Allen Meadows (Burghound.com)
Dense and intense black fruit with plenty of character is followed by rich, big, tannic flavors that are robust, indeed almost rustic. This displays lots of backbone if not much finesse with a nice note of finishing complexity. In short, the '96 Bonnes Mares delivers solid if not truly exceptional quality in a package that will age for many years to come. Consistent notes. Oct 01, 2005, Allen Meadows (Burghound.com)
A more floral and more expressive nose features notes of pear liqueur, lemon rind, green apple and soft spice nuances that are set up by an admirably discreet application of wood. The round and almost tender medium-bodied flavors possess a caressing mouthfeel along with equally good concentration while exhibiting fine length on the detailed finish that is also supported by lemon-tinged acidity. Like several of the wines in the range, this would benefit from having better depth but that should progressively occur. Good stuff and worth a look. Jun 10, 2023, Allen Meadows' (Burghound.com)
This had not been racked and it showed as the nose is comprised by notes of secondary fermentation, reduction and wood toast. The rich, generously proportioned and solidly concentrated medium-bodied flavors flash good power on the moderately rustic and sneaky long finish. This is very tightly coiled and not particularly easy to judge so my range should be considered preliminary. Jun 10, 2023, Allen Meadows' (Burghound.com)
Here too there is a background smoky hint to the aromas of apple and pear along with a floral top note. The delicious and vibrant flavors aren't quite as dense but they're finer while exhibiting a touch of youthful austere on the citrusy finale. Jun 10, 2023, Allen Meadows' (Burghound.com)
Background hints of mineral reduction and wood influence are present on the pretty and very floral-suffused aromas of lemon rind, just sliced fennel and an array of white orchard fruit. There is both excellent density and intensity to the well-detailed middle weight flavors that exude a prominent stoniness on the youthfully austere and more tightly wound finale. This is already very good, and it should only continue to improve as it should be capable of repaying up to a decade of cellar time. Jun 10, 2022, Allen Meadows' (Burghound.com)
This appealing effort possesses the ripest nose to this point with its blend of apricot, white peach, passion fruit and discreet resin hints. There is both fine verve and cut to the medium weight flavors that possess a strikingly seductive texture before terminating in a lingering and well-balanced finale. Note that like the Clos St. Jean, this will need to develop more depth over time to merit the upper end of my predicted range. Jun 10, 2022, Allen Meadows' (Burghound.com)
Here too there is enough reduction to render a proper evaluation of the nose impossible. Otherwise, there is almost lavish richness to the still nicely vibrant and beautifully textured medium weight plus flavors that manage to retain reasonably good delineation on the lingering finale that could also use slightly better complexity. Jun 10, 2022, Allen Meadows (Burghound.com)
Smoky aromas of green apple, pear and a subtle floral nuance are complemented by succulent, delicious and vibrant middleweight flavors that are sleek if not especially dense, all wrapped in a beautifully textured, focused, stony and lingering finish. In contrast to the Clos des Gravières, this is going to need at least a few years of keeping first as it is less forthcoming at present. Jun 10, 2023, Allen Meadows' (Burghound.com)
A cool, pure and airy nose consists of floral, various citrus, minerality reduction and reasonably good classic Chablis elements. The notably finer middle weight plus flavors also possess very good volume and concentration along with evident minerality that suffuses the rich, powerful and long if slightly warm finale. Oct 10, 2019, Allen MEadows' (Burghound.com)
This too is textbook Meursault with its hazelnut and floral suffused nose that displays notes of white peach and pear. There is good richness and intensity to the medium-bodied flavors that possess solid complexity and length on the balanced finish where once again a hint of bitter lemon appears. This is less mineral-driven than the Chevalières but offers more mid-palate density and succulence. A qualitative choice but both wines are excellent even if they're very different from one another. Jun 10, 2019, Allen Meadows' (Burghound.com)
A softly exotic nose is at once quite spicy and elegant with its jasmine tea, white orchard fruit and plenitude of floral and citrus elements where the latter is picked up by the elegant, precise and almost delicate flavors that exude a fine minerality on the lingering, balanced and firmly structured finale. Lovely juice and potential. Jun 10, 2019, Allen Meadows (Burghound.com)
Once again there is a whiff of petrol present on the ripe and beautifully fresh nose of white orchard fruit, lavender and soft wood nuances. There is fine volume and muscle to the notably more concentrated broad-shouldered flavors that display excellent power and drive on the firmly structured finish. This is packed with development potential and a wine that is going to need at least some patience. Jun 10, 2019, Allen Meadows' (Burghound.com)
Ripe aromas of white peach, matchstick and acacia blossom introduce exceptionally rich broad-shouldered flavors that possess a highly seductive mouth feel thanks to the abundance of dry extract that also serves to buffer the redoubtably firm core of ripe acidity shaping the gorgeously complex and wonderfully persistent finish. Wow, this is an impressive built-to-age Bâtard! Jun 10, 2019, Allen Meadows' (Burghound.com)
Relatively heavy reduction again renders the nose tough to judge. On the plus side there is terrific volume and mid-palate concentration to the big-bodied flavors that possess unusually good refinement in the context of what is typical for Bâtard and this is particularly so for the racy and tightly wound finale. Like the CC this beauty is going to require extended bottle aging but should very much be worth the wait. Jun 15, 2016, Allen Meadows' (Burghound.com)
An incredibly densely fruited nose also only grudgingly offers up notes of stone, tangerine peel, white flowers, green apple and plenty of spice and soft wood nuances. There is an almost painful intensity to the equally concentrated and overtly powerful broad-shouldered flavors that brim with dry extract that simultaneously coats the palate while buffering the extremely firm acid spine on the incredibly long finish. This is a breathtakingly good CC but note well that it will be largely pointless to open one of these rare beauties before it is at least 7 to 8 years of age. As an aside I would add that I was so taken with this wine that I could still taste it the next day. A 'wow' wine if there ever was one. Jun 15, 2016, Allen Meadow's (Burghound.com)
Here the nose is notably more restrained and only reluctantly offers up notes of white orchard fruit, red grapefruit and floral scents. Like the Tremblots there is excellent density to the notably more mineral-driven medium-bodied flavors that also coat the palate with a seemingly inexhaustible reserve of dry extract that serves to buffer the firm acid spine on the gorgeously textured and persistent finale. Lovely stuff though note well that this is not a good candidate to drink young. Jun 15, 2015, Allen Meadow's (Burghound.com)