Saturday 12 July 2014

Vacation Wine Diary - Day 3 - Chassagne-Montrachet

Dear Diary

It was with some anticipation I pulled the cork out of this bottle last night. I bought three of these for some years ago and the one I opened last year was clearly oxed, even though it was passable.

But as soon as I poured the first centilitres into the glass I knew that this was to be something completely different.
And it was. Glad to have one bottle left, if it is going to behave like this...
With a perfect piece of cod, scallops and a carrot vinaigrette it was the best suitable complement.


1996 Chassagne-Montrachet Les Caillerets, Jean Noël Gagnard
A wonderful, sprightly, fresh nose with notes of sweet/sour lemons, candied lemon peels, warm hay, butter fudge, hazel nuts and butter cup flowers. Just extraordinary fresh. A lovely flinty note comes after some time in the glass. This is on the highest Grand Cru level. Depth, power and finesse.
The taste is liquid gold with stunning freshness and notes of lemon cream, dried tropical fruits, assorted nuts and dried flowers. The acidity is high and stringent. A beautiful purity. Yet again, on Grand Cru level. From the first drop until the last this beauty delivered pure pleasure. In a perfect drinking window. Fresh as a daisy. I would never guessed it to be from 1996 if I was given this blind. Grand Vin!
97p   (tasted 2014/07)


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