I hit up two wine shops last night in tasting through about 15 different Burgundies from the 2000 to the 2002 vintage (whites only for 2002), with a bunch of them from the 2001 vintage. I was especially interested in tasting the whites, since I've been on a White Burgundy kick.
My first trip was to the Wine Sellar in Herndon, VA. They were pouring wines from the portfolio of Vineyard Brands, which included producers like Vincent Girardin, Bruno Clair and Bernard Morey. Here are my notes:
WHITES
2002 Joseph Matrot Bourgogne Blanc ($15)
A nice basic Burgundy. Simple, crisp and light, but true to the character of the region. Good bistro wine. 87 points.
2002 Jean Marc Boillot 1er Montagny ($22)
Elements of fresh green grass and herbs. Very distinct, but not vegetal in a bad way. Slightly bitter finish. 87 points.
2001 Vincent Dauvissat Chablis 1er "Sechet" ($33)
Now we're talking - plump, generous with an abundance of rich fruits. When I think Chablis, I usually think of steely wines, but this was totally the opposite. Very nice - I purchased a bottle. 90 points.
2001 V. Girardin Meursault 1er "Les Narvaux" ($37)
Faint element of caramelized fruits on the nose. Looking for the mineral element, but still very primary. I did enjoy the 2000, and I think this will still be a pretty nice wine - it just needs time. 88 points.
2002 Bernard Morey Chassagne-Montrachet 1er "Morgeot" ($55)
This was a wine that could've really used some decanting. Tight on the nose, but abundance of chalk, minerals, fruits with a little bit of bitterness on the finish. Very primary right now, but could be very nice when it all comes together. 89+ points.
REDS
2001 Bruno Clair Bourgogne Rouge ($17)
The best QPR of the evening. Wonderfully aromatic with strawberry jam flavors. Smooth and medium-bodied, it is a very pretty bottle of wine to drink now - the best red wine on the table. 89 points.
2001 Mongeard-Mugneret Savigny-les-Beaune 1er "Les Narbantons" ($31)
Similar in flavor profile to the Bourgogne above. Twice the price, and dare I say, not as good, but still a nice wine. 88 points.
2001 Bruno Clair Chambolle Musigny "Les Veroilles" ($43)
Distinctly vegetal elements (like sauteed cabbages) in this wine. Fruit was not impressive - I don't think this will age gracefully. 83 points.
2001 V. Girardin Pommard "Clos des Lambots" ($34)
This wine was more balanced. Definitely had the most amount of fruit in the red wine line-up. Also had a little bit of the vegetal component, but was not as strong. 85 points.
My second stop was Cecile's Fine Wine in McLean, VA. The wines of Vinifrance (Importer) were being poured. (a disclaimer - I've worked part-time at this store and are friends of the shop and the importer) I tasted through the whites and Corkage stopped by to partake in the fun a little later.
A little bit about Dom. Borgeot - his wines from top to bottom see 30% new oak and tend to have a little more acidity than most other producers. I've tasted many of his wines back from the '99 vintage, and find them to be pretty consistent.
WHITES
2001 Borgeot Bourgogne Blanc ($15)
Strong aromas of tropical fruit, bitters and thick orange-marmalade. Generous palate, slightly bitter and minerally finish. This could use some bottle time to be tamed. 88 points.
2000 Larue St. Aubin 1er "Murgers des Dents de Chien" ($29)
Grassy notes along with butter and grain on the nose. On the palate, it is elegant with a good mineral streak, finishing with lemon notes. Very nice. 90 points.
2002 Borgeot Chassagne-Montrachet ($35)
Precise minerally nose, with great balance. Needs some time in the bottle, but the stuffing is there. 89+ points.
2002 Borgeot Chassagne-Montrachet 1er "Morgeot" ($50)
Now we're talking. One whiff of the nose, you can tell this is distinct. High-pitched, yet focused aromas of lemon, mineral, chalk on the nose. Wonderful balance, good verve, and ending with a rich finish. Best white wine of the night. 92 points.
2001 Borgeot Meursault "Narvaux" ($50)
Toasty nose is full-throttle (without being overwhelming). Buttery, yet balanced with a good mineral backbone. More evolved and complex than the Girardin counterpart this evening. 91 points.
2001 Borgeot Chassagne-Montrachet 1er "Embrazees" ($50)
Slight petrol aromas with nut skins. Good minerality with a bite of bitterness that I've come to expect from Borgeot's "Embrazees" of past vintages. I like it quite a bit. 91 points.
2000 Grivault Meursault ($36)
Yogurt, LifeSaver Candy (the white one) on the nose. Already well-integrated and drinking very nicely. A wonderfully balanced Meursault. 91 points.