Tanzer Score: 93

Score: 93-95 BH

Region: Burgundy

District: Vougeot

Type: Still Wine

Color: Red

Varietal: Pinot Noir

Vintage: 2009

Size: 750ML

Brand: See more from Domaine d'Eugenie

Sku: 136443

Quantity:   

Product Information:

If you’ve heard the story of Domaine Eugénie, you’re likely headed straight for the ‘Order Now’ button. If you haven’t, here’s what has made these wines a sensation: Domaine Engel, the Burgundy mainstay, was put on the market following the passing of Phillippe Engel, who had no natural successor. The property was then purchased by the owner of first-growth Chateau Latour, François Pinault, for a king’s ransom and renamed after Pinault’s grandmother, Eugénie. Spectacular domaines rarely come up for sale, and if so, it is usually because they are in neglect or disarray. But this was not the case at well-kept Domaine Engel, making the Bordelais’ purchase a rare one, indeed. This property is but a stone’s throw away from DRC and Pinault was in a bidding war with Aubert de Villaine of DRC for the estate. Production is extremely-limited and highly-allocated on these Pinot Noirs ala Latour. This is unheard of value for this elite region from unquestioned pedigree. Oh, and did we mention that 2009 is being widely hailed as the greatest vintage of red Burgundy in decades?

Tanzer Review:
Good ruby-red. Rich aromas of blackberry, chocolate, espresso and flinty minerality, with pepper and menthol notes from the stem influence. Then large-scaled and creamy but with solid underlying structure and noteworthy tension in spite of having the highest pH of these 2009s. More backward and medicinal than the Grands-Echezeaux. Really builds on the back end, finishing very long and rich, with powerful tannins that will require at least several years of bottle aging. Cabernet-like in its volume and structure. Incidentally, winemaker Mallard noted that the vendange entier component gives the blend its bones, while the destemmed portion provides the flesh, but I found a sample of the former component to be wonderfully full, sweet and creamy.

Other Notes:
Background floral notes combine with ripe, earthy, somber and notably serious aromas that lead to dense, powerful and tautly muscular flavors that brim with tannin-buffering dry extract, all wrapped in a velvety, firm and linear finish. This is sensational though note that patience will be required. 93-95 points, Burghound