Burgundy-Arcadian tasting at Opal in Santa Barbara

The view from the frontline

Last week I had occasion to attend a tasting put on by a group of Burgundy enthusiasts in Santa Barbara. I work part-time for Arcadian Winery, and my earlier communication with the group’s organizer through www.winebeserkers.com helped to get the ball rolling.

In essence, we blind-tasted select 1er Cru & Grand Cru Burgundy alongside several Arcadian wines over a dinner of food-pairings matched for the occasion. The restaurant was Opal in Santa Barbara. I can’t say enough good things about their hospitality, service, as well as the wonderful food!

Joe Davis of Arcadian paired the wine flights. We then brown-bagged them for the tasting and the evening was then off and running. Joe presided over the tasting while sharing his love of Burgundy and his thoughts about winemaking and viticulture.

The evening was a real treat. I appreciate the opportunity to have been involved. As much as I love tasting and drinking Burgundy, it’s still a not-often-enough kind of treat for me at this point. Click the link to read the menu, wines and tasting notes- written by Blake Brown, who was the event organizer.

My four favorite wines of the night (Arcadian excluded of course):

2006 Virgile Lignier Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru "Cuvée Jules" 

Tasted blind. Brambly aromas of earth, herb, anise and cherry fruit. Densely complex palate with fig, sandalwood, mineral, licorice, spice and earth. Fine and firm structure, silky through the palate and a long finish. Very nice. 

2007 Mongeard-Mugneret Grands-Echezeaux

Tasted blind. Aromas of cola, fennel, fig and violet. Juicy red fruit on the palate with nicely layered spice, tea and floral depth. Fine, round and polished with a full expressive finish. Very enjoyable at a quick glance. 

2003 Lucien Le Moine Pommard 1er Cru Les Épenots

Tasted blind. Dark aromas of espresso, black cherry, sagebrush and earth. Brighter on the palate with tea, cherry, spice and mineral notes. Silky fine tannin with juicy acid. Full fruit notes on a lengthy finish. Nice and accessible at this juncture.

2001 Gros Frère et Sœur Grands-Echezeaux

Tasted blind. Savory bouquet- earth, mushroom, sage, cola and fig. More fig on the palate with darker fruit notes, along with anise, tea and earth notes. Juicy acid with polished feel and fine tannin. Full finish.