WTN: 2 of my favorite producers (Chevillon and Ridge)

No wine Wednesday, as I trekked to Long Island for a speech. But Thursday night we had "Pir Vilayat's dinner" (steamed salmon with chard and onions) and barley, with the 2005 Chevillon Bourgogne. I like Pinot and salmon, but for this dish I usually prefer white, but the red was handy! Really nice showing, I was afraid it would be closed, but steady and straightforward red cherry fruit, strong earthy elements, with some air some smoke and cocoa. Good length, vivid but balanced acids, fun. Doesn't hold up well overnight, but on night 1 more open than I expected, and a B+

Tonight Betsy made an old fave for Dave and I, steak over a salad of watercress and parsley with a horseradish/caper/mustard dressing, plus a side of carrots and parsnips with Indian spices. I usually let wine sit for a couple weeks after shipping, but NJ is near, so I went with a bottle of 2006 Ridge Lytton Springs that I got for $18.xx (w/free shipping) from Cinderella recently. OK, not biggest most concentrated Lytton, but clean blackberry meets black raspberry fruit, a hint of vanilla, oregano/herb notes. Underbrush, earth, but mostly about berry fruit. Some tannins. Good, not great. B

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.  

Dale, thanks for the note on the '06 Ridge Lytton. I just picked up some of the '07, which I think is a more substantial effort based on my tasting of it and your read on the '06. Much appreciated.

-Michael

2005 Chevillon Bourgogne.Doesn't hold up well overnight... 

No surprise there I would guess. Do you often drink Bourgogne rouge over several nights? Or was this just a case of having leftover wine and checking on it?

Mike, at the discount price I was ok with the 06, but I've heard 07 is better.
Rahsaan, I just sampled leftover (and then put in vinegar crock). But while I didn't have high expectations, I've had several Bourgognes that held (or even improved) overnight.

I find that the bourgognes from Michel Lafarge often can improve overnight. They are built so tightly that they really do sometimes need that time.

Isn't Lafarge one of the stars of Bourgogne rouge?

Does anyone know if the Chevillon wines suffered from the "green meanies" in 2004? I will also check CellarTracker to see what others have said. I have two bottles of the 2004 Chevillon Nuits St. Georges.

Hmmm, on CellarTracker opinion is divided. Some say they detected "greenness" and others say it doesn't exhibit that. Most ratings are about 88 or 89 (very good.) Maybe I will plan to open one in January.

[David M. Bueker]

The green element is very dependent on the person drinking the wine. I certainly found the green in the 2004 Chevillon Bourgogne, but that does not necessarily mean much for the 1er crus.

I'd guess that Ridge LS will be better in 5-10 years.

I really like Chevillon. Friday night, we had a 2001 Nuits St. George, VV that was terrific with roast chicken. It brought me back to dinner at Allard in Paris last year....well, not quite.

I've had some good results with 2005 Bourgogne recently - one from Groffier and another from Marechale, and both had a glass or two saved for the next night which didn't show very different from the first night. The Groffier displayed only a hint of oxidation.

Where on Long Island were you speaking, Dale?

Michael, Lafarge was in front of line of Bourgognes I was thinking of as doing well overnight.
Rahsaan, I think Lafarge would be in top 5 of most lists of red Bourgogne AC. But of course Chevillon would probably be in top 10. In Lafarge's case, I've also heard the vineyards are across the street from his Volnay AC plots, and once qualified as Volnay before a "redistricting"
JC, I've only had the Bourgogne and Vaucrains, didn't get the meanies, but I'm not super sensitive. I have the NSG VV, Vaucrains, and Chaignots, and don't feel worried (for my palate)
Tom, Maybe!
Diane, speech was at a Catholic church in West Islip. LI traffic is...wow. The Bresse chicken at Allard......omigod.