2008 Musigny, Grand Cru, Joseph Drouhin, Burgundy

Tasted at the Drouhin Musigny vertical in London.

The 2007 Musigny Grand Cru is perhaps more mature in appearance than expected, with leather and game infusing the red fruit, and a tad more rustic than the 1999 or 2002. The medium-bodied palate delivers red currant, cranberry and wild strawberry notes, and firmer tannins than expected, borrowing some of the masculinity of the 1996. Yet with aeration, after an hour in the glass, it becomes fleshier and divines more complexity, wrapping up with black pepper and tobacco on the finish. Very fine, but earlier drinking than other recent vintages.

Drink 2020 - 2035

A positively kaleidoscopic and very floral nose of stunning complexity puts on display notes of rose, red berries and spice that complement to perfection the silkily-textured, fresh, precise and ultra-pure medium-bodied flavours that are seemingly etched from limestone and finish with simply remarkable length. This is a Musigny of finesse as the balance and harmony are impeccable, indeed the word Zen comes to mind. This is flat out great but again, ample patience required.

Drink from 2025 onward.

Fine, bright, light to medium-deep purple, attractive soft red fruit nose with a touch of pepper, refined and stylish up front, then a burst of red fruit energy behind. You can see how classy this will be when it wakes up. Perfectly balanced acidity, no evident tannins. Promising from the outset, this wine exploded into life with an unexpected concentration of fruit, when re-tasted after being open for two hours.