WTN: Bountiful Beaune

Midday on a lovely March day we got our power back, making the day even more lovely. Fired up the grill, did 3 nice tuna steaks and some squash, the tuna was served over a cannelli bean salad. Enboldened by David B's Chevillon foray, I decided to try an '02. The 2002 Domaine du Ch.de Chorey "Les Vigne Franches V.V."  Beaune 1er is still showing as some new oak notes, and it's a bit on the glossy side. That said, it was fairly open with just a little air time, and I thoroughly enjoyed this. Black cherries, plums, floral notes and a little toast. Nicely balanced- the rich '02 fruit sitting on a bed of acid, with some tannic support struts. Oak is less apparent with time, and the last glass is best. This can age a while, but I enjoyed now. B+ with some potential.

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.  

I'm too chicken to open 02 Burgs. Good to see you and David doing it and not regretting it.

It of course depends on the 2002 Burg. Things I have one of, or better 1ers or GCs (not that I have many of the latter)? No. But village wines, Bourgogne AC, and lesser 1ers that I have multiple bottles of, sure.

[David M. Bueker]

I am actually finding the '02s I open to be more approachable than the '99s.

Thanks, Dale.

It sounds pretty consistent with their 2002 Beaune 1er Cru Les Cras V.V., which has held steady for the last few years in that slightly woody but open and ready to drink state.

-Michael

David,
I've generally found 2002s and their riper style to be less likely to shut down (or perhaps to shut down less hard) than say 1999. Actually, the 1999 of this wine is MUCH more shut down than the 2002.

Michael,
interesting, the Cras is a "more serious" 1er than this, but also not shut down.

In general I find whether wine (and especially Burg) shuts down one of the more unpredictable and intriguing parts of winegeekdom. It varies by vintage, by level, by producer, and probably by appellation.

"Actually, the 1999 of this wine is MUCH more shut down than the 1999. "

You might want to edit that for clarity, Dale. Is the 2002 more shut down or the 1999?

oops, sorry about that, edited to reflect the 1999 is shut down (2002 pretty open)