2005 Domaine de Montille Beaune Les Greves 1er Cru-OBS

Strange coconut note on the nose – some odd oak? Much more glorious on the palate in terms of fruit expression. Very exuberant. Quite an oddball! (JR)

From newly-acquired property (a parcel in this large appellation that borders Bouchard’s famous l’Enfant Jesus) the de Montille 2005 Beaune Greves leads with meaty, smoky aromatics and lightly-cooked, subtly caramelized, yet faintly tart plum and rhubarb fruit character. Notes of cola and sassafras add aromatic allure. Smoky, gamey, forest floor nuances and distinctively stony minerality mark this wine’s mouth-coating palate and promising length. There is no lack of fine, well-covered tannin here and one can envision at least 5-7 years of improvement. Various importers, including Beaune Imports, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 559 1040. Also, a Thomas Calder Selection, Paris; fax 011-33-1-46-45-15-29

(15% new oak) Medium red. Somewhat reticent aromas of cherry, redcurrant, licorice and herbs. Suave on entry, then lush, minerally and fine-grained, with a tight core of spice. Essentially gentle, smooth wine with suave tannins and lovely subtle persistence. This grew on me each time I came back for another mouthful.