Sunday (16 November)

Sunday Thomas and I meet at Dom Buisson-Charles in Meursault for our rendez-vous at Dom Drouhin. The Drouhin winery is a nondescript building from the '70s w/o a sign, in the outskirts of Beaune. This is not where their receive guests, it is where they make their wine.

Patrick's buddy is the chief oenologist at Drouhin and we are his guinea pigs as he walks us through the massive winery (for burgundy standards) and the tasting of their 2008 reds and whites. Mr Thunevin has good fun playing aloof but we are all feeling very privileged. Rully blanc, Clos des Mouches (red and white), Meursault Pucelles, Chambolle les Amoureuses, Volnay Clos des Chenes, Bonne Mares, Griottes-Chambertin, Musigny, Batard-Montrachet, etc... We are standing next to 40 (!) barrels of 2008 Le Montrachet. The Musigny is true success.

Before he lets us go we finish with a handful of '07 whites. A Puligny-Montrachet, a Meursault 1er cru, and to top off the morning, the '07 Le Montrachet (still in barrel). Rich and red wine is structure (like many great white wines) with a persistent kiss of mandarin orange. 8 hours later, I'm still tasting it.....

Back at chez Buisson for lunch Patrick and his wife spoil us with their food and wines; a '95 Jobard Genevrieres and a 76 Meursault Pucelles (Buisson) start off things. A 2006 Chassagne rouge is "interesting", and "good for the vintage"but very bourgogne, while a Buisson 05 Volnay Santenots is a try at new-world pinot. Patrick pulls out the big guns with a 05 Rosignol Trapet Latriceres-Chambertin (Thunevin is finally impressed). We say or good-byes over "interesting" 97 Clos Windsbuhl and enjoy the view over the vineyards of Meursault. Spoiled indeed. Thank you Patrick!