by Patchen Markell » Mon Sep 12, 2016 2:42 pm
After one of those annoying five-minute debates about whether a Cavollotto 2000 Barolo Bricco Boschis was corked (if you're going to be contaminated, just do it right and get it over with), we surrendered to the inevitable and opened a backup: a Ghislaine Barthod 1999 Chambolle-Musigny 1er "Veroilles." Last bottle opened in 2008 had been way too young. This one was still tight, tight, tight, with a not-unpleasant but surprising nose of chocolate on first opening; but after decanting, it relaxed and showed really nicely, with finely woven medium-dark Pinot fruit showing just a trace of real age. Rich and complex, with hints of damp earth, and, early on, the slightest suggestion of lingering wood, which with time gave way to a long and broad finish of fruit, funk, and anise. Very satisfying now but will certainly hold and is likely to improve for 5+ more years.
cheers, Patchen
