Christophe Roumier makes damned good wines. This is not pleasing me very much, though, perhaps it is still too young?
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Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru les Cras 1996, Domaine G. Roumier
A bit brick in colour. Some nice fruit on the nose, but it smells a bit direct and, dare I suggest it, there is a hint of greenness about this wine. Also a hint of HP Sauce which I find deeply unattractive (great as it is on bacon sandwiches). This smells reasonably complex, harmonious and balanced, but just not very nice. The palate is just a bit flat and one-dimensional too, it is just not so interesting. OK, the brightness of the fruit and the undoubted complexity of this wine lift it above ‘sub-interest’, but nowhere near far enough for my liking.
David,
It rather sounds like you tried this one a bit too young still – it would seem that a lot of good elements are there, but not harmonious or pleasurable. Did you give it any time open, or go back to it some time later ?
As a comparison, I think his 99 village Chambolle needs 24 hours open before it starts to show what it can do.
Anyway, it sounds rather better than the Gigondas (or the Gloria) !
Best
Peter
Hi Peter,
I decanted it two hours ahead of drinking and there was much vigourous swirling in the decanter. Didn’t seem to change much. I hope it is simply too young, rather than being yet another disappointing 1996.
David.