2004 Domaine des Lambrays Clos des Lambrays (France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru)

Wine #3 with sushi and second Grand Cru Burgundy in as many weeks. What am I doing? This one was certainly worth it. Very powerful red Burgundy that shows cherry and red berries, leather, earth, leafy flavors, pepper, and a touch of greenness. In my opinion, the green streak in this wine was very minimal, and I thought it actually enhanced the wine's complexity. That said, I also love Chinon, so bear that in mind to benchmark your palate to mine. Just a pleasure to drink this, and it was a great wine to finish our sushi night off with. Again, I wish I had more of this, but it was my last bottle.

2004 Domaine Armand Rousseau Père et Fils Clos de la Roche (France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos de la Roche Grand Cru)

The third and last bottle of Valentine Day's weekend. And what a fine finale. Some may find this a waste to drink with roasted chicken, but I think this was a delicious pairing. The Rousseau was all finesse and elegance and had great balance. Nothing stood out other than its silky texture and flavor complexity. The fruit was red with raspberries and strawberries and some cherry. From the much maligned (by some) 2004 vintage, this did not show any vegetal/green flavors. I wish I had lots more, but this was unfortunately my last.

2001 Hospices de Nuits Nuits St. Georges Les Didiers Cuvée Jacques Duret Méo-Camuzet (France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges)

We had this last night with home-made Sushi. Fantastic wine. It's still incredibly young, but it's deep, layered, interesting, and silky in texture. Red fruit profile, but much darker color. Sappy and fresh. Although I don't think it'll ever be a profound wine, this will get much better, still with another 5-10 years of age on it. Loved every sip of this. Even my wife remarked that this was incredibly tasty, and she's the most picky palate in our household.

2002 Domaine Georges Mugneret/Mugneret-Gibourg Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Chaignots (France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru)

I opened this to celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary. This wine definitely fit the occasion. Translucent red in the glass. Soaring nose of crushed berry, cherry, leather, tobacco, and damp earth. Silky texture. Cherry fruit expands across the palate with wonderful lightness. Loads of minerality and a very slight orange peel flavor on the finish. Lingers for a long time and keeps getting better with air. Still young, but this is exactly the kind of wine that excites me about Burgundy.

2003 Mommessin Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Suchots (France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru)

I've been re-tasting this for three days. I have really tried to like this...but it just isn't good. So fruity, oaky, and fat that it could seriously be guessed as a Cab in a blind tasting. Zero typicity at this point in my opinion. Coffee and bitter chocolate on the nose. Lush cherry and blackberry on the palate. Finish is clipped and acidity is too low. I know this was a very hot vintage, so mother nature is at least partially responsible for this abomination of a Burgundy, but the oak is human-infused, so the winemaker will have to take responsibility for that decision. I don't often dump out wine, but this deserved it. Stay away from this as far as you can.

2004 Domaine Armand Rousseau Père et Fils Clos de la Roche (France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos de la Roche Grand Cru)

• 2004 Domaine Armand Rousseau Père et Fils Clos de la Roche - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos de la Roche Grand Cru (5/9/2009)
  With my wife and kids gone for a week, I figured I'd treat myself to a series of nice wines. What better way to start the vinous adventure than by cracking a Rousseau CdlR, especially since fresh Hawaiian Big Eye Tuna sashimi was on the menu Chez Pelz tonight (if you've never tried sushi and Burgundy, you have to try it soon...great pairing). From the first whiff, I was in love with this. This wine is really a pretty one that showcases its Burgundy heritage with earth, moss, autumn leaves, smoke and some bright cherry and crushed berry. There's a slight reductive note, but it adds to the complexity in this wine. Perfectly balanced on the palate and no sign of the famous 2004 mean-greenies, this just sails through to the finish with a super silky texture. It's got great grip and structure, but it still drinks fantastically right now. I should have bought way more of this when the price was still right. Now, it looks like this is running $160/bottle, and although that's a lot of money, I can almost rationalize paying that for it. Sensational wine.

Posted from CellarTracker

2003 Mongeard-Mugneret Vougeot 1er Cru Les Cras (France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vougeot 1er Cru)

I've been following this wine for about three days and it's gone through a number of stages. Unfortunately, it was worst at very first when popped and poured. Seemed too fat and sweet. Almost reminded me of California Pinot. It got better with air, but then it got flabbier and flatter and the acidity seemed to fade, making the wine very unflattering. After three days, the wine has taken a slightly lighter color and shows more Burgundy character with more forest floor, livelier acidity, and an interesting orange zest note. The wine keeps fluctuating from focused to flabby though, so that is my greatest concern. I own one more and I'll drink it soon. Impossible to know where this will be headed with more time in the cellar.

1999 Hospices de Nuits Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Didiers Cuvée Jacques Duret Nicolas Potel (Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru)

This is decent. Beats the Alesia San Mateo in its sleep. Deep, dark red color. Nose is interestingly chalky and cherry filled to the point that it reminds of Pepto Bismol. The Pepto note disappears after some time in the glass though. Solid on the palate with great black and red fruit and finishes tannic, structured and long. Needs at least 5 more years to unwind or extremely long decanting time.