Finally tried Kuheiji’s Burgundy project (NB: their efforts in France yielded one of my most memorable sakés in 2019 - the Camargue; notes on Delectable). This was quite the changeling - started off reductive with a red-fruited palate, light airy touch, juicy acidity, and no noticeable oak. Combined with the hint of fruit sweetness in the back end, I just shot straight for Beaujolais in my blinded guess. Should have waited as my mistake became quite apparent over dinner. With air, the wine took on a darker/black fruit profile and showed obvious signs of oak treatment, though well-integrated. It was all blackcurrants, plums, raspberries, cinnamon, dark chocolate, cedar, and a hint of earthiness/minerality (appellation?). The palate remained airy and juicy, with that fruit sweetness in the finish perhaps indicative of the warm vintage. I enjoyed this as it had energy, though DC found the wine a little too oaky for his liking and KK noted some bottle variation with this being a weaker pull.
Finally tried Kuheiji’s Burgundy project (NB: their efforts in France yielded one of my most memorable sakés in 2019 - the Camargue; notes on Delectable). This was quite the changeling - started off reductive with a red-fruited palate, light airy touch, juicy acidity, and no noticeable oak. Combined with the hint of fruit sweetness in the back end, I just shot straight for Beaujolais in my blinded guess. Should have waited as my mistake became quite apparent over dinner. With air, the wine took on a darker/black fruit profile and showed obvious signs of oak treatment, though well-integrated. It was all blackcurrants, plums, raspberries, cinnamon, dark chocolate, cedar, and a hint of earthiness/minerality (appellation?). The palate remained airy and juicy, with that fruit sweetness in the finish perhaps indicative of the warm vintage. I enjoyed this as it had energy, though DC found the wine a little too oaky for his liking and KK noted some bottle variation with this being a weaker pull.
May 14th, 2022
Gevrey-Chambertin, Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France
