2017 Boyer-Martenot Meursault-Charmes, 2012 François Lamarche Grands Échezeaux, 2005 Louis Jadot Bonnes Mares Grand Cru, 2003 Château Lafite Rothschild, 1998 V.C.C. 2011 Rousseau Ruchottes-Chambertin

The usual suspects again plus a couple of guests at Tang Yun, Tanglin Club Singapore, on 29 August 2023 on a free theme. The stemware isn’t quite optimal but the wines were still brilliant, as was the company. Many thanks!

2019 Domaine Bernard Moreau et Fils Chassagne-Montrachet. Keen bouquet of citrus with a mild floral fragrance, developing effusive notes of tropical fruit followed by a transfiguration into the dense white tones of Chassagne. Well-endowed with fruit that shone with fine clarity and a high-toned acidity supported by a deeper base of minerally elements that impart a trace of austerity, yielding good definition.

2017 Domaine Yves Boyer-Martenot Meursault-Charmes 1er, courtesy of Kieron. Lovely luminosity, opening with restrained floral scents on a cool palate of pears and orchard fruit infused with a gentle minerally presence. Rather understated at first, gradually warming up with distilled white tones and further notes of vanillin that teased with refined elegance, yielding good clarity. We all thought St-Aubin.

1998 Vieux Château Certan, courtesy of Sir Bob. Darkish purplish core, exuding a lovely cool fragrance of ripe blueberries, violets and dark cherries against a slightly dryish backdrop of capsicum and cigar box that define the classic glow of a mature claret. The medium-weight palate is highly supple and harmonious with an ethereal feel, very gently layered with melted tannins. Distinctly feminine. We were unanimous in calling it Right Bank.

2003 Château Lafite Rothschild, courtesy of Pipin. Deep crimson. The impression on the nose is that of a very modern style, a gentle predominance of red fruit and currants underpinned by a pungent earthiness glossed with a distinct note of varnish whilst the element of glycerin continued on to a weighty concentrated palate laid with warm velvety textures, very ripe and richly layered, imparting overtones of incense. It reminded me very much about the style of Stephan von Neipperg.

2011 Domaine Rousseau Ruchottes-Chambertin Clos des Ruchottes Grand Cru, courtesy of Andre. Some age is evident here with a delightful profusion of soft red fruits and tangerines. The medium weight palate is fresh and lively, a harmonious blend of maturing delicate fruit and sweet sophisticated tannins that yield clean chiseled definition, just a little short.

2012 Domaine François Lamarche Grands Échezeaux Grand Cru, courtesy of Vic. Beautiful pinot tint, displaying a predominance of rounded red fruits and refined acidity that sat in the glass with relaxed charm. Cleanly structured with good power and lean definition, finishing with tapered intensity.

2017 Domaine Henri Magnien Ruchottes-Chambertin Grand Cru, courtesy of Tim. Deep dark pinot tint, exuding delicious ripe fruit with youthful intensity. Distinctly modern profile of well-extracted plummy fruit and mandarins with overtones of ember and gun metal minerals, structured with tight tannins and cutting acidity.

2015 Domaine Marquis D’Angerville Volnay En Champans 1er. Darkly coloured. Ample depth of restrained black fruits and currants that impart youthful dark intensity amid cherries and savoury characters, more harmonious and open with a ripe warmth after some time. Not quite ready yet.

2005 Domaine Louis Jadot Bonnes Mares Grand Cru, courtesy of Kieron. Good colour. Full, rounded and voluptuous, oozing sweet supple tannins from the fleshy depth of soft red fruits that exert cool elegant intensity. Absolutely delicious.