Beaune 1er Cru "Les Cent Vignes" 2007, Château de la Velle

This wine is a perfect example of why Burgundy is so interesting and also so infuriating for the cognothingscenti. A glorious deep black cherry colour, an enjoyable cherry and plum nose, a superb balance in the mouth with lovely red and black fruit flavours, length, freshness and concentration. But this Beaune 1er Cru is much more closed than when tasted in August 2010! Like many 2007s tasted in mid-2011 this wine needs at least 12 months possibly 18 months to rebound, unleash its secondary aromas and and put on fat in the mouth. A classic case of the dip in form during the year which is between 4 years and 5 years after the harvest. I anticipate a somersault in compelxity by December 2012. Photo shows Beaune vineyards looking towards Pommard in early August 2011. Click on the photo for a version with more definition. This shot gives a great view of the varying gradations of the slope of the Cote de Beaune.