I've never had a wine by this famed Volnay producer, and had tried this wine tonight blind at the wine shop. In short, it is a very nice wine at a nice price.

Dom. La Pousse D'Or 2003 Santenay 1er Clos Tavannes (Santenay, $35)

The wine shows a real pretty aroma of red berries that is distinctively Cotes du Beaune, with a high-toned chalky element that I find more in white burgundy than red (which was intruiging). On the palate, sweet red fruits that is generous on the palate with nice balance and minerality. It also had more tannins than I can remember recently in a burgundy. I guessed that this wine was a Corton from 2002 or 2001. To my surprise, it was Santenay from 2003 - no overrippeness or lack of balance. Also, its sweet fruits have very nice "crossover appeal" for non-burg folks, but it doesn't "sell out." It packed some punch, but it was more Ronnie Lott than Mike Singletary.

I guess I found my first 2003 red burg purchase!

Grade: A-
QPR: A-

Tried this again, this time with sushi. Very open and full of red berry fruit - drinking very well and consistent with my previous tasting, but more softer. Recommend highly. 92 points.

BTW, what are the chances that Fred bring a bottle of burg to a sushi restaurant, and that very bottle is on the list?