MNSC Burgundy Trip Day 4: Arnoux-Lachaux

Visit to Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, where we were received by Pascal Lachaux and his wife Florence Arnoux.  This was formerly Domaine Robert Arnoux but now has been renamed.

2009 Arnoux-Lachaux Bourgogne - minty and game meat, very fresh.

2009 Arnoux-Lachaux Vosne-Romanée - nose of mint, flint, minerals and concentrated fruit.

2009 Arnoux-Lachaux Chambolle-Musigny - black fruits, softer and more silky, with higher acidity.


2009 Arnoux-Lachaux Nuits-Saint-Georges - smoky, game meats, farmy.

2009 Arnoux-Lachaux Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Corvées Pagets - fragrant, silky and nice.

2009 Arnoux-Lachaux Clos Vougeot - farmy nose with bacon notes.  Nice. Harder tannins.

2009 Arnoux-Lachaux Echezeaux - sweeter nose with mint and a hint of smoke.  Softer and silky on the palate.

2009 Arnoux-Lachaux Latricières-Chambertin - fruity and ripe with a hint of smoke.  Acidity was noticeable mid-palate but the finish was grippy.

2009 Arnoux-Lachaux Romanée-Saint-Vivant - nose of herbs and mint.  Some tannins were noticeable.

2007 Pascal Lachaux Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Cras - sweet nose of strawberries, light and vibrant, clean on the palate, with a little bit of tannins.

2007 Pascal Lachaux Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Grands Murs - smoky nose with leather and intense spices.

2007 Pascal Lachaux Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Cazetiers - black fruits, flinty, minerals and some smoked meats.

2007 Pascal Lachaux Clos Saint-Denis - sweet and fragrant nose, a bit floral, herbs and fruit.  Smooth on the palate with silky tannins.  Very nice.

2007 Pascal Lachaux Chambertin Clos de Beze - very fragrant, very fresh, smoky, grilled meats, violet and floral.  Very silky tannins.  Beautiful!

At the end of the tasting, Pascal asked us whether we wanted to taste an older vintage, and he literally said "anything"... We were of course too polite to ask for anything specific, and left the choice up to him.  He returned from the library with a dusty old bottle that turned out to be the 1971 Robert Arnoux Romanée-Saint-Vivant.  Nose of sous bois, really sweet, a bit oxidized, caramel and toffee, smoked meats, lovely, ripe fruit with leather.  A very awesome wine!  An incredibly generous gesture...