Preamble Tasting March 2000
Conor Richardson
Burgundy Direct
1. Ramitello DOC, Di Majo Norante, Molise, Italy, 1998
Beautiful nose, hints of apple. Decidedly apple on the palate, followed
up by sterner stuff. Well balanced. Almond finish. Very pleasant. Fiano
(old Italian) and Falaghina (?) grapes.12.5%
£7.50
2. Chardonnay vdp, Domaine de Martinolles, 1999
Certainly doesn't smell like Chardonnay; would have said Sauvignon Blanc
and Semillon. Very grassy palate. Grapey. Seemed to be oak but apparently
all stainless steel. From St. Hilaire, near Limoux. Would go well with
seafood.
£6.75
3.Macon-Solutre A.C., Domaine des Gerbeaux, Drouin, 1999
Definitely smells like Chardonnay - peachy, pineapple, some tartaric smells.
Lighter wine than the previous. Quite "minerally". V. nice.
£8.75
4.Pouilly-Fuisse 'Prestige' A.C., 'Tres Vielles Vignes', Domaine des
Gerbeaux, Drouin, 1998 
A deeper hue. Beautiful nose. Soft oak, vanilla, lovely finish. Oily but
with good zing. Lovely. Will improve. Great with food. 80-85 year old
vines.
£14.95
5. Malbec, Martins, Argentina, 1996
Quite hard, even on the nose. Big ripe fruit and loads of tannins. Hasn't
come together yet; will it ever?
£6.95
6. Ramitello DOC, Di Majo Norante, Molise, Italy, 1996
Clean, dark red. Not much nose. Really jammy without being sickly. Hint
of port about it, and cherries.Aglianico and Montepulciano or Aglianico
and Prugnolo (Sangiovese in Montepulciano) according to different authorities.
Very good.
£7.95
7. Bourgogne Passetoutgrain AC, Domaine Michel Lafarge, 1997
Light, hint of pink. Not much nose but very pleasant palate. Lots of fruit.
Sweeter cherries than the last. 50:50 Gamay and Pinot Noir. Will keep
but with low acidity won't change.
£8.99
8. Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits, Domaine Gerbet, 1996
Initially sharp on the nose, softer as it got warmer. Quite tart, stern,
but ripening in the glass. Earthy. Still quite a lot of tannin. Will age
up to 10 years. Good price for Burgundy.
£11.50
9. Givry 1er Cru 'Clos de la Servoisine' AC, Domaine Joblot, 1998
Rich, weighty, earthy nose. Burnt taste up front. Tannins, strawberry
coming through. Very tart. Better as it warms up. Needs lots more time
(another 7-8 years?). Great price. From Cotes Chalonnaise, Parker raves
about M. Joblot and his wines.
£13.95
10. Cairanne AC, Domaine Marcel Richaud, 1998
Looks like liquid form of black fruit pastilles at a distance! Nose
lighter than expected. Strangely light on the palate; jammy, synthetic?
Said to need 5-6 years. S. Rhone; 50% Syrah, 38% Grenache, 22% Mourvedre.
Generally liked but not my cup of tea
£11.50
10. Apianae, Moscato Reale, Di Majo Norante, Italy, 1993
Deep green-gold. Incredibly buzzy nose. Rich galia melon and apricot.
Sugary, honey, well balanced.
£8.99