Best of Burgundy this spring

So after many many months of freezing in the cold I have had two months of sunshine and drinking, finishing off with a month-long trip to Scotland, Italy and Paris. It seems my new hedonistic/alcoholic/gypsie lifestyle seems to be working for me. Or so I thought, day one,back straight into two solid weeks of work. Then I was uncerimonously launched into the attic by Ma and Pa.

I have tried to "ja ja" the accomodation up as much as possible but the Cinderella story is starting to wear thin. Ma believes that by adding more and more mirrors an ethereal-like atmosphere has been created where I can entertain to my hearts content. There are now so many mirrors lining the dusty attic floor that it is starting to look like a horror funhouse.

In reality for my first week in the tower I was in constant fear of visitation by the the local white cat. The white cat also has yellow eyes. The forementioned feline is also used to having the whole pad to himself. Not any more my friend, the once nightly visits have been reduced to a mere passing every now and again. The fear of a night time attack remains. My sis is threatening to put cat nip on my pillow, evil cow.

Maybe she has the right idea, I could make friends? He may even turn out to be one of those fancy cats, one of the Disney Aristocats even. Gin and a hand of wist perhaps, share a cigar together discussing the merits of Edinburgh vs Burgundy mice? Or should I just keep my distance?? If I survive I shall keep you updated.....so here is a wee snapshot the best of Burgundy this spring.

Pernand-Vergelesses 2008 Pierre Marey et Fils- a brilliant slightly oaky nose with a touch of soft toffee and gingersnap biscuit. The palate was quite full for an 07 but with length and concentration of snappy lemon peel and soft red apple flavours. Evolved and generous.

St Veran Domaine de la Pierre des Damnes 2007/08 - Tried in both magnum and bottle form. Both vintages showed restrained power, and a fruity and silky texture reminiscent of a village Meursault. Both are only slightly oaked, the 07 vintage showed more bite and the 08 more floral character.

Chablis 1er cru "La Forest" 2007 Vincent Dauvissat - Incredible intensity that took most of the afternoon to fully show itself. A Deep oaky nose with chunky granny smith apple and lime flower, followed by subtle quince, yellow plum and ginger. The palate was long and luscious with the oaky flavours being pushed aside by the classic mineral Chablis notes. It was the concentration of simple flavours that attracted me, I would imagine with age the palate would gain more sublte notes as seen on the nose, yet at this age the wine still seemed quite closed.

Puligny-Montrachet 2007 Etienne Sauzet - A restrained Puligny note on the nose with only simple notes of apple. A very dry palate of citrus flavours that seemed too austere at this age to be fully appreciated. The alcohol was also out of sync. with the delicate spectrum of flavours. The wine itself was very powerful but I would prefer a wine with a touch more intruige rather than brute force. May be tempted to try in a year or so and see how it's coming along.

Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Perrières 2006 Domaine Belicard - Bullish with plenty of oak, brittany-buttered crumpet smothered in hot honey. The palate was as powerful but not as lush: great weight, but a touch of tannin. Pear stalk with warming alcohol. The nose was generous but the palate felt a little bit "try-hard". A great wine but not the poise that I would have expected from appelation, vineyard and producer.

Puligny-Montrachet 2007 Jean-Louis Chavy - A wine moment. The nose and palate literally caught my breath. Not often that a full cheddar grin appears when trying a wine for the first time. In fact this is the first wine to do so in a very, very, long time. The nose was predominantly oak with a heady scent of full fat cream porridge, creme brulee, cinder toffee, lavender blossom honey. A full body shudder when tasting this wine, sweet apple, pith, long, crisp, tingly. Flavours aside, this was the most complete wine of the past few months, nose to palate, a fully connected wine.

Rully 1er cru "La Pucelles" 07 Paul Jacqueson - Inca gold with a hint of green. A luscious nose, white chocolate, almond, warm patisserie. The palate was fresher than I expected and not as mature as the nose suggested, lots of new oak, citrus, spice but delicious all the same. Bettter than many village Puligny's or Meursault's.