Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Vosne-Romanee 1999 Rene Engel, Burgundy
I ordered a bottle of this delicious wine whilst dining at Chez Bruce (the review of which you can read on my London Restaurant Review website at www.thelondonrestaurantreview.co.uk)
Initial appearance was of a light, fruity number and the smell confirmed red berry richness but very little alcohol whiff. A good mouthful demonstrated the power of this wine, not heavy like a bit claret, but silky, smooth tannins, little acid and a nice cherry aftertaste. At 13% alcohol, it's strength is well disguised.
It went very well with the Rump of Veal and my wife's Roast Cod.
At £52 a bottle it was a bit of a treat.
Berry Bros has this to say about the producer (http://www.bbr.com/GB/db/producer/823)
Philippe Engel, grandson of the eponymous René, took over this 7 hectare domaine on the death of his father in 1981. He was only 26 at the time and he has subsequently made the domaine into one of the best in Vosne-Romanée. Philippe Engel used an ancient wooden basket press (low pressure) and then ferments at relatively high temperatures. He kept the amount of sulphur he uses and filtration and fining to a bare minimum.The percentage of new oak employed has increased over the years, with 50% of the village cuvée matured in oak, whereas the Grand Crus are now aged in 50/50 new and one-year-old barrels. Philippe Engel produced big, succulent, flamboyant and individual wines which age impressively.Tragically Philippe recently died unexpectedly at the age of 49 while on holiday in Tahiti enjoying his favourite pastime of sailing. His brother Frédéric has now taken the reins at this first class domaine.
They are selling it for £32 so that is not a ludicrous mark up from Chez Bruce (www.chezbruce.co.uk) so well done them!
Initial appearance was of a light, fruity number and the smell confirmed red berry richness but very little alcohol whiff. A good mouthful demonstrated the power of this wine, not heavy like a bit claret, but silky, smooth tannins, little acid and a nice cherry aftertaste. At 13% alcohol, it's strength is well disguised.
It went very well with the Rump of Veal and my wife's Roast Cod.
At £52 a bottle it was a bit of a treat.
Berry Bros has this to say about the producer (http://www.bbr.com/GB/db/producer/823)
Philippe Engel, grandson of the eponymous René, took over this 7 hectare domaine on the death of his father in 1981. He was only 26 at the time and he has subsequently made the domaine into one of the best in Vosne-Romanée. Philippe Engel used an ancient wooden basket press (low pressure) and then ferments at relatively high temperatures. He kept the amount of sulphur he uses and filtration and fining to a bare minimum.The percentage of new oak employed has increased over the years, with 50% of the village cuvée matured in oak, whereas the Grand Crus are now aged in 50/50 new and one-year-old barrels. Philippe Engel produced big, succulent, flamboyant and individual wines which age impressively.Tragically Philippe recently died unexpectedly at the age of 49 while on holiday in Tahiti enjoying his favourite pastime of sailing. His brother Frédéric has now taken the reins at this first class domaine.
They are selling it for £32 so that is not a ludicrous mark up from Chez Bruce (www.chezbruce.co.uk) so well done them!
