The Grand Tastament

① Introduction

 

Domaine Dugat-Py is one of the most powerful and concentrated producers in Gevrey-Chambertin. Known for extremely low yields, ripe fruit, long macerations, and generous new oak, the domaine creates intensely structured, dark-fruited Pinot Noir with tremendous aging potential.

 

Mazis-Chambertin is among the most robust and wild of Gevrey’s Grand Crus, often compared to Chambertin for its depth and power. Dugat-Py’s interpretation is particularly dense, dark, and muscular—one of the estate’s signature Grand Crus.

 

The 1999 vintage is considered one of Burgundy’s greatest modern years, featuring perfect ripeness, vibrant acidity, and refined tannins—an ideal match for Dugat-Py’s style.

 

② Terroir Characteristics

 

Mazis-Chambertin sits immediately north of Chambertin and is divided into Mazis-Haut and Mazis-Bas.

 

Soil profile:

 

• Upper portion: more limestone → finer structure

• Lower portion: more clay → deeper, broader wines

• Signature notes: dark berries, game, spice, forest floor, earth, and sauvage character

• Strong structure and muscularity

 

Dugat-Py’s low-yield management further amplifies the natural power of this terroir.

 

③ Style of the 1999 Vintage

 

1999 is a benchmark vintage with perfect ripeness and balance.

 

Aromatics:

Blackberry, black cherry, plum, game, leather, licorice, forest floor, and dark mineral tones.

 

Palate:

Full-bodied, concentrated, yet balanced; refined tannins; excellent acidity; deep and layered with great persistence.

 

Maturity:

Now entering peak maturity, showing truffle, dark chocolate, herbal notes, and pronounced sauvage complexity—an outstanding expression of Dugat-Py in a great year.

① Introduction

 

Domaine Leroy, through SA Leroy holdings, is one of Burgundy’s most revered producers. Known for ultra-low yields, biodynamic viticulture, and remarkable purity, Leroy’s wines offer depth, finesse, and exceptional longevity.

 

Clos des Chênes is one of Volnay’s most structured and age-worthy Premier Crus, offering more backbone and depth than the typical Volnay profile. Leroy’s interpretation combines intensity, precision, and floral elegance.

 

1985 is a celebrated Burgundy vintage, yielding aromatic, harmonious, beautifully mature wines.

 

② Terroir Characteristics

 

Located in southern Volnay, Clos des Chênes sits on a well-drained, limestone-rich slope.

 

Key features:

 

• High limestone and stony composition

• Naturally low-yielding thin soils

• More structured than typical Volnay

• Notes: red cherry, rose petals, dried spices, fine minerality

• Elegant yet firm and age-worthy

 

Leroy enhances finesse and energy in this terroir.

 

③ Style of the 1985 Vintage

 

1985 produced ripe, fragrant, harmonious wines.

 

Aromatics:

Red cherry, raspberry, dried roses, undergrowth, spice, and faint tobacco.

 

Palate:

Medium-bodied, silky texture; refined tannins; balanced acidity; elegant and layered.

 

Maturity:

Now showing classic aged Volnay traits—leather, dried flowers, tea leaves, and mineral complexity.

① Introduction

 

Les Amoureuses is one of Burgundy’s most celebrated Premier Crus, often described as worthy of Grand Cru status. It is renowned for elegance, perfume, and an almost ethereal, silky texture.

 

Domaine Amiot-Servelle is a respected Chambolle producer known for purity, gentle extraction, and finesse. Their Les Amoureuses captures the vineyard’s signature delicacy and aromatic charm.

 

1995 provides firm structure, excellent ripeness, and strong aging potential.

 

② Terroir Characteristics

 

Les Amoureuses lies just below Musigny and shares some of its magic.

 

Key characteristics:

 

• High limestone concentration

• Extremely thin topsoil; rapid drainage

• Produces tense, aromatic, fine-textured wines

• Notes: wild strawberry, rose, citrus peel, powdered minerals

• Texture famously silky—“liquid perfume”

 

③ Style of the 1995 Vintage

 

1995 yields structured, age-worthy wines.

 

Aromatics:

Strawberry, raspberry, rose petals, orange zest, truffle, mineral notes.

 

Palate:

Medium-bodied with tension; refined tannins; long, elegant finish.

 

Maturity:

Now at peak—dried flowers, spice, tea, and mineral depth.

① Introduction

 

Domaine Prieuré-Roch, founded by Henri Roch (co-owner of DRC), is famed for low-intervention winemaking, whole-cluster fermentation, minimal sulfur, and vibrant purity. The wines show energy, herbal complexity, and expressive aromatics.

 

Their Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Crus defy the appellation’s rustic stereotype, offering elegance and lift.

 

2011 is a fragrant, approachable vintage that suits Roch’s transparent style.

 

② Terroir Characteristics

 

Typical NSG traits include structure, darker fruit, and earthy depth.

 

Characteristics:

 

• Limestone and clay soils

• Dark berry fruit, spice, earthy tones

• Firm but age-worthy structure

• Roch adds aromatic tension and herbal complexity

 

③ Style of the 2011 Vintage

 

2011 is aromatic and moderately ripe.

 

Aromatics:

Red cherry, raspberry, herbs, rose, spice, gentle tobacco, earth.

 

Palate:

Medium-bodied; bright acidity; fine, light tannins; lively and natural.

 

Maturity:

Drinking beautifully now—herbal lift, finesse, and the unmistakable Prieuré-Roch signature.

① Introduction

 

Château Ausone is one of Bordeaux’s greatest estates, ranking among the top Right Bank icons. Known for its high proportion of Cabernet Franc, the wines are mineral, structured, refined, and extraordinarily long-lived.

 

1975 is a powerful, tannic vintage, producing wines of immense longevity—Ausone excelled under these conditions.

 

② Terroir Characteristics

 

Ausone sits on the limestone slopes of Saint-Émilion, a defining element of its character.

 

Key traits:

 

• Pure limestone terraces

• Exceptional drainage and root penetration

• High Cabernet Franc contributing lift and structure

• Notes: blackcurrant, plum, violet, graphite, wet stone, spice

 

③ Style of the 1975 Vintage

 

A famously firm, long-lived vintage.

 

Aromatics:

Plum, tobacco, leather, cedar, licorice, graphite, damp earth.

 

Palate:

Powerful structure; firm tannins; strong acidity; deep and concentrated.

 

Maturity:

Still alive and profound—tobacco, dark chocolate, minerals, dried flowers.

① Introduction

 

Château d’Yquem stands at the pinnacle of Sauternes and is widely regarded as the greatest sweet wine estate in the world. Extreme berry selection, low yields, long barrel aging, and exceptional botrytis complexity define its style.

 

1969 is not among the most opulent botrytis vintages, but Yquem still produced a balanced, honeyed, gracefully aging wine.

 

② Terroir Characteristics

 

Key factors:

 

• Gravelly, limestone-rich soils with superb drainage

• Morning fog + afternoon sun enabling noble rot formation

• Multiple-pass berry-by-berry harvesting

• Sémillon provides richness; Sauvignon Blanc adds lift and acidity

 

Signature notes include honey, apricot, citrus peel, spice, and deep sweetness.

 

③ Style of the 1969 Vintage

 

A lighter, more delicate Yquem year.

 

Aromatics:

Honey, orange zest, dried pear, apricot, saffron, caramel, herbs, light mineral tones.

 

Palate:

Gentle sweetness; balanced acidity; fine, silky texture; elegant and understated.

 

Maturity:

Now showing dried fruit, caramel, tea leaf, and spice complexity—an elegant expression of mature Yquem.