Be Friends Villages Bourgonge 2005

Light red color shifting to salmon at the rim. The wine had bright cherry notes and spices on the nose. The palate is light -- little tannins, and soda-like acidity. Two and a half out of five stars.

Michel Gros Bourgogne 2004

Last night, the lovely future Mrs. H. and I had dinner with her family. Due to the sheer number of September birthdays in her family, they hold a communal family-birthday-dinner. I basically took it upon myself to order the wine for the table (a bad habit on my part, as I often have to look at the wine list for any restaurant). For the red, I picked the Michel Gros Bourgogne 2004.

Classic Burgundy red wine. The nose was rich in earth but eventually opened up to reveal light stone fruits. Smooth and relaxed on the palate, it lacked significant tannins and had moderate acidity (certainly not as zippy as other Pinot noirs). Over all, a good restaurant wine at a decent price. Two and a half stars out of five.

Chateau de la Maltroye, Chassagne-Montrachet 2005

Apple and butter notes, with a full body texture. Three out of five stars.

What's missing from this story?

Take a look.

HINT: the 2005s will be released in 2008....

Envy

Somewhat humorously: I am envious of whomever can buy this wine.

Daniel Rion Bourgogne 2005

Lightly colored, with spice and cherry on the nose. Very smooth on the palate. Drinkable with dinner or on its own. Also, a great value if you can find it. Three and a half stars out of five.

Glasses, pt. 2

Harvey Steiman has started an interesting discussion regarding a new Riedel glass designed just for Oregon Pinot noir. In light of my recent post on the subject, I decided to add my two cents.

First, if there is any wine that justifies variations for different terrior, I'd have to go with Pinot noir. It's a grape that -- even to my relatively untrained palate -- varies greatly by where it is grown. Thus, a Riedel Burgundy glass may not do an Oregon Pinot noir full justice. That being said, I won't buy one of these glasses -- even though I love Oregon Pinot noirs. As a sampling done last night confirmed (notes on that to come), the Burgundy glasses do improve great wine. I'll be happy to use them for Burgundy-cousins, and let other, more profligate spenders buy these glasses.

Second, I wonder if having too large a collection of Sommeliers series glasses is to Riedel's benefit? Is this an example of trying to be an innovator, ahead of the curve? Or is this pushing that curve too far, and diluting Riedel's market? Right now, my money's on the latter -- unless there is a demand for New World glasses that highlight the fruit-forward nature of New World wines.