Quick Notes on Menand and Coudert

Yesterday morning, I finally found the time to download the photos I took at last week’s Michael Skurnik portfolio tasting in New York. Problem is, I’ve run up against a case of writers’ block when it comes to summing up my thoughts about the event. So just a couple of quick tasting notes today, on two solid but very different Burgundian reds I’ve recently enjoyed.


Mercurey Premier Cru “Vielle Vigne des Combins Cuvée Prestige,” Domaine Menand Père et Fils 2005
Price unknown. 13% alcohol. Cork. A Murray-Sykes Selection, Exclusive Wine Imports, Richmond, VA.
Medium-dark ruby in the glass, with a dark nose of blackberry and black cherry. The sweet-fruited front palate is followed by a clamp of firm tannins on the finish. Very ripe and fruit forward, in a relatively modern style, accented by a well-integrated touch of oak. Still very primary, though there’s also an attractive mineral/loam combo happening on the mid-palate. Overall, the wine’s approach is on the simple side but there’s enough stuffing here that it could develop into something interesting over the next five years. In any event, it’s delivering easy, straightforward pleasure today.

There’s next to no information, by the way, available on Menand Père et Fils. Nothing on Wine Searcher, mostly dead links (including a defunct website) on Able Grape…. Anybody out there have any details?


Fleurie “Clos de la Roilette,” Coudert Père et Fils 2007
$22. 13% alcohol. Cork. Importer: Louis/Dressner, New York, NY.
A little tighter than when last I tasted it, Coudert’s Fleurie nonetheless delivers a nose suggestive of wound-up energy, full of brambly red fruit and pencil lead. Slightly rustic, really, really good… and maybe my shortest tasting note yet. I’d be very happy to drink this on a regular basis.

Highlights from the Skurnik gig to come when I break through the wall….