Anne’s Comments
Spring happened well, foreshadowing a classical vintage. Blooming occured around June 20, the cool and rainy summer made the grapes swell. It was easy to thin out the damaged grapes by downy mildew, powdery mildew and rot… The hail of August 23 was felt as an injustice after our victories against fungal deseases !
On August 30 the grapes weren’t yet all in veraison which was far from provoking enthousiasm…
The month of September saved our quality with a beautiful sunny weather embellished thanks to a light cool wind.
We picked our reds from September 25 : abundant, healthy and ripe harvest with good acidity. The wines are very fruity, with slightly melted tannins. It is a classical vintage that reminds me a bit of the 2000 vintage.
I chose to pick the whites on October 9 with the assurance of very good maturity and good health. Wines are fresh with rather mineral notes.
journalists’ Comments
The fine wine review Number 109 – Janvier 2006
Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits 2004 :
We start with the red Bourgogne-Hautes Côtes de Nuits, from seven year-old vines. The nose is mineral and pure with lavender that continues on the palate. This is a delicious, pure Pinot for drinking young. (85-89).
Bourgogne rouge 2004
The red Bourgogne , from vines that average 25 years of age, has a lovely smooth, velvet texture and more depth and seriousness to the spiced red fruits in its nose and mouth than in the foregoing wines. (86-89).
Chambolle-Musigny “La Combe d’Orveau” 2004 :
Anne’s village Chambolle, Combe d’Orveaux is tight in the nose and light and pure with red and black raspberry fruit in the mouth and lots of finesse. This is less hard that it can be in other years, but still not as generous as the Bourgogne. (85-89)
Vosne-Romanée “Les Barreaux” 2004 :
The Vosne, Barreaux has spices, dark fruit, and floral aromas. In the mouth it is very nervy with good richness and spicy dark fruit. The best version of this wine I know from Anne Gros. (87-91)
Clos Vougeot 2004 :
The Clos-Vougeot has aromas of spiced black raspberry fruit, and is generous but firm on the palate with open black raspberry fruit and elegance. (91-95)
Richebourg 2004 :
Last, the Richebourg has a spiced nose with leather and red hots (cinnamon). In the mouth, the wine is spicy with cinnamon. This is not a big Richebourg nor one that explodes in the mouth, and in fact it is somewhat introverted. Still, it is lovely for the minerality and floral flavours, especially violets, the fine length, and the focus. (93-97)
Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits Blanc 2004 :
The Bourgogne-Hautes Côtes de Nuits blanc has minerality on the nose along quince aromas. In the mouth, the wine is very rich and dense with pear and quince fruit and is relatively low in acid. (84/B-)
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar – mars avril 2007
Chambolle Musigny La Combe d’Orveau 2004 88
Medium red. Pretty red berry aromas. Juicy and fine, with lovely cut and floral character to the red cherry and raspberry flavors. Nicely aromatic, stony wine, finishing with dusty tannins and very good length.
Vosne Romanée Les Barreaux 2004 89
Good deep red ruby. Spicy raspberry, black cherry and flowers on the nose. Supple and sweet, with subtle cherry and spice flavors nicely framed by well-integrated acidity. Shows a somewhat more obvious spine than Chambolle but this is essentially a rather gently styled wine. From a very well-placed not far from the high-priced neigborhood of Brulees, Cros parantoux and Richebourg.
Clos Vougeot Le Grand Maupertui 2004 91
Medium red. Deeply pitched aromas of currant, chocolate and menthol. Chewy, round and rich; at once lush and sappy, with intriguing flavors of maraschino cherry, minerals and smoke. Finishes ripely tannic and long. This and the Richebourg are 13,8 % alcohol in 2004.
Richebourg 2004 92
Good medium red. Deep, sappy aromas of black cherry, minerals and smoked meat. Silky and thick on entry, then rich and vibrant in the middle palate, with no impression of excess weight. Finishes very long, with unusually silky tannins for the year. These 2004S are approachable from the start, although I would wait on this one.
Clive Coates – Février 2012 :
Richebourg 2004 : medium colour. Good fruit on the nose. But not much depth or class and a bit earthy and astringent as it developed. Medium body. Better on the aftertaste, but not the usual Richebourg distincation.
VINTAGES