Tuesday, November 11, 2008

2006 A et P de Villaine "Les Montots"

Aubert de Villaine's wines appear here frequently (1,2,3,4), I just wish it was more of the DRC...alas, I possess the bank account of a mere mortal! Fortunately the SAQ always seems to get the more reasonably priced wines from his own Domaine, but they sell out quickly so I have to keep an eye out for them.

If one word could describe the 2006 A et P de Villaine "Les Montots" it would be "subtle"... subtle earthy and leathery tobacco notes at first, then floral, raspberry and cocoa powder creep up on you - flinty and truffley as well. A crisp, sharp acidity greets the palate but the spicy, slatey, raspberry fruit sliced through a roast chicken. A touch rough around the edges, but like a ghost it sneaks up and envelops you with its complexity. A modest finish, not sure how this will fare in the cellar (I have two more for a future experiment). I rated the 2001 slightly better, perhaps a reflection of the more challenging conditions for red Burgundy in '06.
Cork. 12.5% alcohol
Score: 17/20
Price: C$37.25 (SAQ)

2 comments:

2GrandCru said...

Interesting note. I thought the Les Montots would be less delicate. I tasted the other red from the Villaine stable, the 2006 La Digoine and even though I read it's the more feminine of the two, it felt less delicate than the way your notes for the Les Montots read. Maybe I'll open one of my bottles of the Les Montots and see for myself.

Joe said...

Hi Chaim - I'm not sure delicate is what I meant - it was very tangy and minerally on the palate, a bit rough around the edges. My "subtle" really referred to how a quick taste would not give you the full complexity that the wine developed over the evening - I think you could mistake it for a lesser Bourgogne generic wine if you didn't let it develop. I would never call this one feminine! That would be very interesting to compare this wine side by side with that La Digoine but I have never seen it here...