2005 Le Montrachet
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Tasting notes
Drunk from a jeroboam purchased a decade ago at auction, this wine was breathtaking. Light in colour, it was still very lemony and fresh. The trademark buttery richness of the vineyard and the vintage were undoubtedly there. Still, the youthful character of the citrus, apple, and hawthorn flower aromas was the most surprising and satisfying aspect of the experience. The texture was silky and refined, and the finish stretched out endlessly. Véronique Drouhin was right when she told me that I could wait to drink this, although I do not regret opening it in the least.
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Pale yellow-straw color. Sexy nose melds fresh pineapple, stone and musky quinine. Large-scaled and showy, with superb fruit intensity and a sweet, tangy quality to the flavors of lemon, lime, pineapple and quinine. A huge and superripe wine with superb building length. This has the balance for extended aging and may well shut down in the bottle. Philippe wanted to harvest these vines early but his father Joseph wanted to wait-"like he did in '59," said Philippe. In the end, the last batches of fruit came in with potential alcohol of 15% but no rot.
(This sample was taken just two days before the J&B tasting unlike the other wines there). Very fresh and lively and layered. Rich but lots of green notes too. Very powerful yet delicate. Lots of richness. Reverberates, very, very exciting. Extremely muscular. (JR)
About the producer
Joseph Drouhin is one of the largest and most famous producers in Burgundy, making both domaine and négociant wines. It remains family-owned and run, now in the hands of the fourth generation.