With Hart, Luke, Nat, KH, et al at Luke’s.

My love for Robert Ampeau has been a ride. The winemaker was my introduction to multi-decades old great burgundy, and is one of the only ways I could afford to experience them. Their 1er cru Volnay-Santenots and Clos du Roi are stunning. Then true to the good ole Burgundian gamble, I experienced a string of super disappointing bottles.

Thankfully, this bottle brought optimism back. Brought this from New York from my trip earlier this year.

Cork was very healthy. Fill was good.

In the glass: this was showing its age. Deep garnet with some ruby in its core. Just a tiny touch cloudy.

On the nose: fresh off the bottle with 1-hr slow-ox, there was this interesting intensely aromatic pine and eucalyptus note that threw me off. But this dissipated in the glass, and cherries and plums intensified. Mild barnyard funk and earthiness. With even more air, touch of strawberries and raspberries. Red plums was dominant note after.

On the palate: mid / mid- body, surprisingly bright acidity, juicy, and a mid+ finish. Just a wonderful intensity of red fruits on the palate.

I’m happy about this!