2011 Nuits St Georges les Cras
By Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair
2011 Griottes Chambertin Grand Cru from Domaine Fourrier, Burgundy, France
The evanescent beauty of Burgundy is eloquently embodied in the 2011 Griottes Chambertin Grand Cru from Domaine Fourrier, an established purveyor of fine wines. In navigating the tapestry woven by this esteemed vintage, one becomes acutely aware of its unique narrative, vastly different from its kin in preceding years and subsequent vintages.
A Study in Elegance: The 2011 Vintage
The year 2011 was a notable chapter for the Burgundian terroir, presenting challenges that culminated in a vintage reflecting the mettle and finesse of both vine and vigneron. Cooler summer temperatures interspersed with judicious heat spikes ushered in an era of balanced ripeness, lending the wines from this year a characteristic vibrancy and nuanced complexity. Weather conditions in combination with Domaine Fourrier's masterful vinification resulted in a Griottes Chambertin Grand Cru that entices with a beguiling coalescence of intensity and elegance.
Refinement for Discerning Palates
Whilst other years might offer bombast and opulence, the 2011 vintage reveals a labyrinthine olfactory spectrum: wild strawberries merge with hints of earthy undertones; a teasing whisper of baking spices; and an ethereal wisp of smokiness that dances on the palette. The convergence of these elements gestates within an integrated framework of subtle tannins - undoubtedly a triumph for Delphic palates that prefer their pleasure embellished with intellectual appeal. It is a formidable option for the arrant wine investor, marrying storied tradition with the promise of longevity.
Nuance and Longevity: A Connoisseur's Asset
For those who have come to appreciate the temporal artwork that is fine wine, the 2011 Griottes Chambertin Grand Cru from Domaine Fourrier stands as a paragon, one where investment potential and sensory gratification are inextricably linked. Age has brought wisdom to this bottle, accentuating its subtleties while promising further revelations to those patient enough to afford it time.
In conclusion, one must commend the 2011 vintage for its singular distinction within the pantheon of Burgundy — certainly one deserving consideration by both connoisseurs and investors alike. Its presence within a curated portfolio underscores an acumen that favours finesse over fervour; a reminder that true beauty often resides in whispered tones rather than shouted declarations.
Market price (HKD)
HK$130,090.00
12x75cl
Highest score
92
POP score
1134.17
Scores and tasting notes
Tasted blind at the Burgundy 2011 horizontal tasting in Beaune. The Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru Aux Cras 2011 surpassed my expectations. It has the most natural wine of the flight: well defined and harmonious, pretty brambly red fruit with just a touch of minerality coming through with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, sappy ripe red berry fruit (pomegranate, cranberry and raspberry) that leads to a structured, grippy finish that suggests this will repay several years in bottle.
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 29 November 2014