2002 Chevalier Montrachet La Cabotte
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Tasting notes
Pure, high-pitched aromas of lime, lemon, grapefruit and powdered stone. Then as extraordinarily fresh in the mouth as on the nose; the wine's strong acids and powerful minerality give it great penetration and serve to intensify the citrus and stone flavors. It's hard to find an '02 more incisive than this, which is high praise indeed. Wonderfully subtle, slow-building finish coats the mouth with powdered stone. Outstanding wine. (Unfortunately, my sample of the regular Chevalier-Montrachet, which was in an oxidative phase when I tasted it from barrel a year ago, was corked.
Critic scores
Average Score
Pierre Rovani
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Sap-laced minerals, nutmeg, and ginger dominate the nose of the 2002 Chevalier-Montrachet La Cabotte (domaine). This super-concentrated, powerful, profound wine is medium-bodied and armed with magnificent purity. Fresh, loaded with flavors reminiscent of pears, resin, and gravel, it is long, expressive, and complex.
The 2002 Chevalier-Montrachet La Cabotte Grand Cru dares to trump the preceding 2012 Montrachet. This delivers a payload of mineralité and tension. It's as if some invisible man has ground crushed limestone and dissolved it in the glass. The palate follows similarly with lip-smacking salinity, gaining momentum towards the finish with stem ginger and white pepper veins. This fabulous La Cabotte is reaching its peak, and it will stay there for God only knows how long! Tasted at the mature Bouchard Père dinner at the Domaine in Beaune.
About the producer
Bouchard Père & Fils is one of Burgundy’s oldest and most established wine producers. Founded in 1731 by Michel Bouchard, it is the largest vineyard owner in the Côte d’Or with 130 hectares of vines.