My first experience with the wines of the late Philippe Engel and what better occasion than our humble take on La Paulée. I’ve heard that bottle variation can be a thing with these wines so we held our collective breath when opening. However, our concerns were unfounded as this bottle was not only sound, but beautiful.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 2001 Clos Vougeot pours a pale ruby color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with perfumed notes of ripe and slightly dried strawberry, raspberry, dried flowers, licorice, sous bois, truffle, dried herbs, and a mix of cool and gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the texture is silky. A profoundly soulful wine and one that will live long in my memory. Drink now through 2041. — a month ago
Quite light ruby garnet , wide garnet rim . A bit funky at first on the nose , touch farmyardy , then opens up to show some cherry , dried rose , touch earthy , herbal notes . On the palate this is again slightly funky , quite edgy acidity , touches of dried cherry , slightly gritty chalky notes . This needs time in the glass to show its best and does get better , but this might not be the best bottle . However , shows it mineral , herbal and dried cherry touches on the reasonable length finish . Drink now and over the next few years . At Restaurant Les Caudalies , Arbois — 5 days ago
Medium lemon yellow . Quite closed at first , this improves with air , actually was finished the following day . White flowers , camomile , quite chalky , a bit funky also . On the palate quite strict and direct , with quite sharp acidity , which does stick out a little bit . Quite lean on the palate On the palate there are notes of lemon , wet stone and white flowers . Quite good mineral , stony length . I can imagine this still ageing quite well , but it probably won’t improve very much . — 4 days ago
From a 1ha parcel of vines nearing 100 years old. If memory serves me correctly, Catherine and Pierre had introduced biodynamic practices the previous year (1994).
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 1995 Les Perrières pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of brambles, Poblano pepper, purple flowers, graphite, leather, a touch of horse blanket, some fine warm spices and gravelly minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, grippy and mineral laden. Delicious. I love where this wine is at today. Drink now but well stored examples will likely live well past 2035. — a month ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections
Nose is stunning, baby Chassagne 1er Cru all the way: green apple skin, green apple flesh, white flowers, lime zest, lime flesh, and that clean Burgundian mineral snap. Palate is unreal: concentrated, savory, juicy, nimble, elegant, pure, bright, and mouthwatering. A little savory pull on the finish, with terrific length and energy. This is Chassagne Premier Cru quality, and I will die on that hill. After a few hours the finesse is off the charts. Stunning wine. 9.5 to 9.6. — 21 days ago