2011 Morey St Denis La Riotte
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The 2011 Morey-Saint-Denis La Riotte 1er Cru has a rather sullen, earthy bouquet that needs more fruit to offset the austerity that runs through this wine. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, rather raw and gritty in the mouth. This is one vintage where I feel the steaminess overshadows what could have been a better wine, leaving the finish a little raw. Maybe it will remedy that with further bottle age, though personally I would rather drink the 2010 or 2012 over this vintage. Tasted at Flint Wines’ Taupenot-Merme retrospective.
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Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
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The 2011 Morey St. Denis 1er Cru La Riotte, which comes from a 0.56-hectare parcel, sports a pretty, feminine bouquet with light red cherry, fresh strawberry and dried rose petal. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and very good focus. No, there is not the length of a more benevolent season, but there is great poise and tension allied with a directness that would make it a superb match at the dinner table. Drink now-2017. Taupenot-Merme was my final visit of the week. I have been following these wines for a number of years, even predating my wine writing career. Winemaker Romain Taupenot and his sister Virginie run the domaine in the centre of Morey-Saint-Denis and fashion a classical style of Burgundy wine that I feel has improved in recent years. Their 2011s are well-crafted and are mainly predesigned for early to mid-term consumption. Importers: Winebow, Montvale, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620; Scott Paul Wines, Carlton, OR; tel. (503) 852-7300; J.A.O. Wine Imports, McLean, VA; contact@jaowineimports.com
Same geology as Mazoyères. One of Morey’s leading premiers crus. And most of the vines are very old (see Olivier Jouan). Taupenot vines are about 55 years old. Spicy and intense concentration. Dense and admirable. (JR)