WTN: Two Red Burgundy Premier Cru Wines

Opened last week.
2001 Arlaud Morey-St-Denis "Les Millandes" Premier Cru 13.5% alcohol
Burgundy to mahogany color; not opaque. Dark fruits on nose and palate; elegant fruitiness, soft tannins, nicely structured and balanced. Dark cherries--still evincing primary nuances. Shows best at room temperature--not overly chilled. Delicious!
1999 La Pousse d'Or Volnay 1er Cru "Clos de la Bousse D'Or" (a monopole or monopoly of this vineyard) Put in bottle at the Domaine of Patrick Landanger at Volnay. Imported by Vintner Select, Mason, OH.
13% alcohol
Purple/black and opaque.
Scent of dark plumskins. A juicy burst (almost grapey) that surprises upon entry in the mouth. Underlying tart cherry with plummy/grapey overlay. Hint of oak tannins.
The first evening I sipped it on its own. The second evening I paired it with a Canadian bacon and potato casserole. It smoothed out the second evening and was more satiny.

JC,

I saw the 2005 Les Millandes the other day, but at a hefty $92 per bottle I gave it a pass. That's a recurring theme. I've only bought one bottle of Burgundy this year, and that came with extreme buyers remorse. I'm glad that you enjoyed the '01. I did so love Burgundy back when those of us in the working class could actually afford it.

I probably paid less than $50 for the '01. I really want to collect some 2005 red Burgundies but I may be priced out of the market also.

Thanks for the nice notes, I'll put that 99 Pousse d'or back into the rack then.

I agree with you JC, prices for the 05's so far have been higher than ever but I think that it is made all the more difficult after we put all that money into the 05 bordeauxs and the 05 Germans........I've been very picky about which 05's burgs to buy. Only ordered some typical ones including Pousse D'or, Hudelot Noellat, Lafarge, Comte Armand, and Roumier....and even then only their less pricey options

I've been very picky about which 05's burgs to buy.

Michael,

I've been so picky that I have purchased exactly zero '05 Burgs to date. If you have an '05 QPR recommendation I would be happy to have it.

ooooh.....I'm so bad at this recommendation thing that I'm gonna apologize in advance. Also, I've not try ANY 05's yet. There must be many burg fans on this form that can do a better job than me! (please help...I would love to hear more and learn more too!)

What I did was what my pusher suggested, just buy what you know and what you can afford which seems to be the general rule in Burgundy. With this vintage they told me that you can be adventerous and buy anything you want to try and it should be okay but being short on cash means that I won't be able to traverse this region like I would like to. I've always liked Pousse d'Or (my few years of wine experience) adn this year they are about $50 per bottle. Hudelot Noellat's prices were very fair (mid $40s for their lower mid offerings) so I bought that. So those were my budget buys. Lafarges are also around this area and love his wines.

Comte Armand's Pommard (which should pack a bit of a punch this year) was a bit more expensive but okay(just north of $100). I'm not sure what the Roumiers will cost this year but the futures are already around $100-$135 but I love his wines so this will be my one splurge...most likely for a case of his Morey Saint Denis.

I'm pretty sure that I won't be able to affort the Dujac's, Faiveley, Meo Camuzet, etc, so not even looking. I will start to also look at other less expensive regions like Mercurey and Givry. Francois Raquillet Mercurey Vieilles Vignes ($20+) was pretty decent (lighter style) in 2002 but have not tasted their '05's. Domain Francois Lumpp Givry 1er Cru Petit Marole was very nice in 02 and will be looking for his 05's as well.

Hopefully not a waste of bandwidth here. just my $0.02.