[WTN] Rouge 1er Cru Les Grande Vigne 2005 Domaine Parize

I was after a bottle of Burgundy that emphasised the sweet spice - cinnamon and nutmeg - flavours that sometimes appear in the wine. This was the suggestion of my local wine retailer.

=====

Seems much darker than other Burgundy I have seen - nice, clear, ruby red.

Smell has the usual Burgundy undergrowth notes, enriched by smoke and a little licorice.

The taste seems surprisingly fruity for old world Pinot Noir - concentrated cherry and strawberry predominate, there's a hint of red apple
and the smoke and licorice flavors give the whole a bit of backbone. The wine is light and silky smooth - really beautifully balanced.

Finish seemed rather short but after drinking this I did have the curious experience of suddenly finding the Burgundy undergrowth flavour repeating on me at irregular intervals for the rest of the night.

=====

So, very nice indeed but no sweet spice that I could detect. Better pop back to the shop and get a bottle of the St Aubin where I originally picked those flavours up!

Not familiar with this producer, but I remember a N-St-G "Grandes Vignes" from either Rion or Michelot that was quite good. These wines from the southern part of NSG, which is called Premeaux, tend to be on the darker, fuller side, though there are interesting differences due to the style of the particular producer. Domaine de L'Arlot, for instance, makes more fragrant and elegant wines from this area, at least based on what I've tasted, from vineyards like their Clos de L'Arlot.

The taste seems surprisingly fruity for old world Pinot Noir

I don't know exactly what you mean by fruity, but 2005 was a ripe year in Burgundy.