Domaine Jacob En Songe 2007 Tasting Notes

Gevrey-Chambertin En Songe 2005
Hautes Côtes de Beaune Les Larrets blanc 2005

The long, hot summer of 2005 was perfect for sunbathers and, for once, relished by Burgundy winemakers as it produced one of the most sensational vintages in recent years.  Untypical coolness at flowering time (early June) served to reduce the expected yield, but, in mid-June, summer arrived and the grapes thrived on the warm sunshine and infrequent rain showers that followed.  By harvest time in September, the grapes were perfect.  The resulting wines have a fabulous harmony of fruit and acidity which makes them ready for drinking now, but also gives a promise of pleasure for some years to come.

We tasted the 2005 vintage of Gevrey-Chambertin in January – what a pleasure!  Dark ruby in colour with a clean, blackberry nose, no wonder the wines of this small appellation between Nuits-St-Georges and Dijon are world famous.  Concentrated flavours of blackberries and cherries balance mellow tannins which promise deeper richness as the wine ages in the bottle over the next 5–8 years.  Excellent length ensures fruity flavours long after swallowing.  With Boeuf Bourguignon you have, perhaps, a heavenly match, but pheasant casserole, duck, coq au vin and mature cheeses are just some of the delights that will also please connoisseurs of excellent wine and food.

Plenty of warm sunshine increases the ripeness and natural sugar in Chardonnay grapes to balance the acidity that the vines derive from the moist minerals in the clay/limestone soil.  In 2005 the balance was almost perfect and Jean-Michel carefully selected the best grapes for his Les Larrets.  With structure and rich fruitiness, via careful ageing in oak barrels, the resulting wine is what lightly oaked Chardonnay wines are supposed to taste like.  Lemons, vanilla and honey burst refreshingly onto the palate – a thirst-quencher, aperitif or food companion all in one.  Savour it by itself or with fish, chicken or veal in thick, creamy sauces.