WTN: 2004 Barthod Chambolle-Musigny Aux Beaux Bruns

Showing only very slight reddening around the edges, this is a wonderful wine, with an amazing, almost mushroomy nose. In the mouth,velvety feel, red plums, a little raspberry, mushrooms, but also something green--as dairy country after a spring rain. It had a very clear crystalline structure, and was never heavy or syrupy. Decanted, after about an hour, it was if someone had turned up the volume, and the sauvage notes came on particularly powerfully. Lucky to have found 3 of these on sale, and it would be interesting to lay down for a long time at least one of the two remaining.

The "something green" may have been the result of a ladybug infestation at Barthod and others. See:

http://www.burgundy-report.com/wp/?page ... ge_id=2584

[David M. Bueker]

The ladybug issue is another one of the many theories. There's still no definite answer.

The ladybug issue is another one of the many theories. There's still no definite answer.

Are you aware of any definite answers in wine?

[David M. Bueker]

The ladybug issue is another one of the many theories. There's still no definite answer.

Are you aware of any definite answers in wine?

Nope.

Thanks for the fascinating link Oswaldo. By applying the predicate "green," I didn't really intend to suggest a flaw, "piney" might have been better. Certainly I found nothing in the neighborhood of rancid peanut butter, nor, however, that sort of bell pepper taste some Santa Barbara county pinots can have. (I don't always mind the last in context and maybe it's the same thing here.) You and David would know better than I about the vintage overall, whether it had these problems, and perhaps even about the wine. I have only tasted one other Barthod from a different vintage (many years ago at the Wine Cask), and I doubt it was the same vineyard. So, I don't have the ability to judge whether it was or was not characteristic.

[David M. Bueker]

Joshua,

2004 is well known for a green streak. How prevalent varies by wine and by taster. I am one of the more tolerant folks in regards to that character, finding it more an herbal accent than a flaw. Others find the whole vintage detestable.

Others find the whole vintage detestable.

I hope none of them come into our store...we got a bunch of '04s to move...

I hope none of them come into our store...we got a bunch of '04s to move...

Sounds like time for a closeout sale!

[David M. Bueker]

Others find the whole vintage detestable.

I hope none of them come into our store...we got a bunch of '04s to move...

Got any Truchot or Bachelet?

Here's what I've got from '04:

Domaine Bertagna Vougeot Premiere Cru "Clos De La Perriere"

Domaine Bertagna Nuit St. George Premiere Cru "Les Murgers"

Bertand Amroise Corton Grand Cru "Le Rugnet"

Domaine Des Lambrays Grand Cru "Clos Des Lambrays"

As a group, I don't think any of them are "green." This is a classic (which is to say "austere") vintage, and I'd say they still need a fair amount of age--they're still a bit woody.

I also think the Lambrays is a phenomenal value for money, but that's just me.

I also think the Lambrays is a phenomenal value for money, but that's just me.

Well, you and me.
I have (besides the Lambrays) some Mugnier, Mugneret, Pavelot, Chevillon, Bachelet etc. I don't think I'm especially sensitve to this greenness (as opposed to underrripeness), so not too worried