Single-blind tasting of Leroy Bourgogne 2004 and Claude Dugat Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru 2004.
Wine #1 - Good color. Lovely nose. At first smoke and tar, later some cream, later still very sweet caramel-like fragrance. Juicy, crisp texture. On the palate, ripe red berries, raspberries mostly and some strawberry later on. After an hour or so, some coffee as well. This has a bit of grip on the finish although it is a rather forward wine. Very easy to drink as it is well-rounded and balanced. Good complexity. Excellent. I said I hope this is the Leroy otherwise I'd be a bit disappointed. I was right: Leroy Bourgogne 2004.
Wine #2 - Slightly funky nose that blows off; later becoming sweet. Meaty and with a slight heat. Quite dry. Dried fruits but finishes with a ripe-fruit fragrance. On the palate, dried herbs and rather wild foresty character. Seems closed. After about two hours, fragrant wood - menthol and pine resin. Will probably improve with a bit more time. Still, very good. Claude Dugat Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru 2004.
After the 2 Burgundies blind, we finished with:
Dierberg Sta. Maria Valley Pinot Noir 2005 - Very dark. Deep, woody nose. Fragrant. Very sweet and spicy. Rich, concentrated wine but nice due to good balance. Soft and ready. A crowd pleaser. Dessert after the two previous Burgundies. Very good in a New World way but not really recognizable as Pinot Noir.