For Kelly's birthday dinner with my parents I figured I better open something great. Honestly I'm not sure if that was for her benefit or mine but whatever. I settled in on a magnum of 2002 Pousse d'Or Corton Bressandes. I found these mags priced at about $100 and jumped on them because suggested retail for the 750s was $100 at premiercru.net. Pousee d'Or has a regal bloodline as at one time it was part of a dream estate that also included Romanee Conti and Clos de Tart. It's modern history started in 1998 with he purchase of the estate by Patrick Landanger. The domaine had been underachieving by many accounts through the 90s and Patrick sought to make the necessary investments to express the ultimate potential. Lower yields, later harvesting, more new french oak (from 20% to 30%) has resulted in some very nice wines. Alan Meadows writes about the 2002s
As the scores suggest, this is by far and away the best set of wines that Landanger has made since he purchase Pousse d’Or in 1997. There is a purity of expression as well as much better transparency to the underlying terroir that has been missing in the past and these are decidedly less new world in style too. It’s rare to see a domaine where every wine is worthy of your attention. In short, this is simply an outstanding set of wines that has Pousse d’Or once again rejoining the elite domaines in Volnay.
The 2002 Corton Bressandes had an absolutely charming nose. Deep cherry and wildflowers (violets), a little bit of earth. Very elegant and round on the palate. Love the texture. Leaning more dark than bright red fruits. Fairly low in acidity. Lots of layers to think about. Nice sweet tannin at the end. Super long finish. After about two hours decanted it was still fresh and evolving nicely. Didn't finish before the souffle's came so the rest was donated to the waiter. Hope he enjoyed.
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