Clos de la Bussière Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Pinot Noir

The crispy skin on the peking duck!
My god

I’ve always found these wines to need just so much age to show well (I do think that changed starting in 2017), but at age 12 Roumier’s Bussiere is absolutely ready to go after sufficient air, wafting gorgeous, distinctive aromatics synonymous with Roumier even if it’s not Chambolle. It’s dark fruited but well defined, perfumed with violets, cocoa bean and exotic spices. The palate shows the density and concentration of the vintage with both power and elegance, fine grained tannins and a saline-mineral laced finale. Fantastic showing of 2012 Clos de la Bussière with many great years ahead.

Confrérie Des Chevaliers du Tastevin Sous-Commanderie d'Albany, Pauleé Dinner; 2 February 2024 at Lake Ridge Restaurant, Round Lake, NY

Roumier particularly crushed ‘17. Even the Bussiere which is a bottling that IMO takes forever to be drinkable opens up so quick in the decanter gaining most notably in density and texture after a somewhat thin first pour. It’s bright, vibrant and pure with layers of black and blue fruit, dark cocoa, spices and earthy soil tones. The palate is seamlessly balanced, deep and expansive with fine grained tannins and a long, lifted and elegant finale. A fantastic vintage for this bottling that is already in a great spot but with of course, its best years ahead.

Confrérie Des Chevaliers du Tastevin Sous-Commanderie d'Albany, Paulée Dinner; 19 February 2023 at Hamlet & Ghost, Saratoga Springs, NY

I love New Years

Sappy red cherry, dried pine needles, savory, tannins really silky and great acid...

Incontestably from one of the top 5 red wine makers in Burgundy. Deep, powerful and muscular. Rich black and red fruits, graphite, hints of damp earth, lively and integrated acidity with a cool minerality. Finishes with excellent length, concentration and precision. 2 hour decant a must.

So crystalline clear next to DRC’s. And not to it’s benefit. Quite lean, spicy and red fruited, dusty and austere, perhaps one dimensional until I re-included the fine sediments which we had allowed to settle to the bottom of the bottle for a few days before opening. Then, it bloomed into a blue and red fruited Morey with class and density, dimension and width. I would choose the latter expression over the former any day.

Impressive. Powerful and deep, with notable concentration of fruit and structure. Still a baby. Tons of potential.