Ruchottes Chambertin	1988	G. Mugneret

1/98. Acquired in auction July-97 for $100 (imported for $110 net).
My first taste of anything from the domaine of George Mugneret. I am a big fan of Mongeard-Mugneret (esp. their Grands Echezeaux), but as we all know, family relations in Bourgogne bear little relevancy to quality.
This Grand Cru accompanied the second half of the Friday night dinner at our wine-partners friends (Beef Bourguignon and the cheese plate).
COLOR: Medium-dark (B) color. Some clearing around the rim.
NOSE: Full blown, complex and forward. Enticing layers of ripe dark fruit, raw meat, wet forest floor - all wrapped in an excellent 'Bourgogne Nose' robe.
TASTE: Mouthfillingly rich, vibrant and elegant. Excellent presence and grip. Good fruit, noticeable acidity, not as tannic as I anticipated. A 'big' wine that could use some more 'winyness' to become absolutely great. Still - a fantastic wine.
LENGTH: Very long and reverberating aftertaste.
TEXTURE & BALANCE: A full-bodied, robust Grand Cru. Well endowed in all respects except perhaps a touch of hollowness in the mid palate. Great structure though needs some beefing up for perfect balance.
OVERALL: Superb! This one has a good chance of becoming a truly great wine in a few years time.
MARK: 18/20.aaaaaaaaBUY MORE? Maybe.

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Copyright 1996-2003.
Jacob "Yak" Shaya.