WTN: 2001 Chambolle

Last night Betsy made a duck breast salad, callalou (apparently the greens from the taro plant, a new one to us, we are alternates on a CSA package), and mashed potatoes. Most days I feel like experimenting wine-wise, sometimes I just want an old friend. Friday was the latter. I opened the 2001 Drouhin Chambolle-Musigny. Betsy found it acidic/tart at first, but I said "just wait." By dinner time it was showing beautifully. Ripe red cherries and plums, a little strawberry, framed by bright acids and a little ripe tannin. A super welterweight, light on feet but packing a punch. Damp earth and chalky minerality emerge over evening. Best glass is the last, 4 hours after opening. A-/B+

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.
 

[David M. Bueker]

Sounds almost exactly like the bottle we shared. I ended up buying some of the 2005 based on you opening that bottle (thanks again). I was never really one for buying the village wines from the larger operations, but I ended up making a big exception in 2005. I think I will be very happy down the road.

. I was never really one for buying the village wines from the larger operations, but I ended up making a big exception in 2005. I think I will be very happy down the road.

Not where I usually put my money either, but in good vintages the better negociant houses can do well, especially in the areas where they "specialize" (in my mind Chambolle for Drouhin, Gevrey for Jadot, etc)