Tasting No 3 - Ghislaine Barthod Bourgogne Rouge, 2007

A spicy Asian duck dish for tea tonight so I pull out one of my Barthod entry-level red burgundies (bought in bond from Uncorked a couple of years ago for £130 a case plus duty & vat) for the latest instalment of wine-o-clock.

Dark red in colour but almost transparent at the edges. On the nose I get black cherries, blackcurrants, raspberries, leather polish and an earthy tinge. Vanilla and blackcurrant on the mouth with slightly drying tannins which work really well with the fatty duck breast and sweet and salty sauce.  Nice smooth finish with a little oak and more berry fruit.

We were going to leave half the bottle for tomorrow night but the missus and I were enjoying it so much we polished off the lot. However, I would say 3* rather than 4* on account of value for money as the 2009, which I tasted at a recent Burgundy en primeur tasting and it was excellent, has been released at £160 per case in bond which brings it in at at about £18-19 a bottle which is a little steep for Bourgogne Rouge in my view. I have just bought a case of 2009 Bourgogne Rouge from another Chambolle Musigny producer, Digoia Royer, from Stone Vine Sun for £78 per case in bond, half the price of the Barthod so look forward to testing that out for a value for money comparison.

Friends round for lunch tomorrow so probably more from wine-o-clock then......