Domaine Koji et Jae Hwa Chardonnay Coteaux Bourguignons

Didn't note this previously, but the total production here is out of 887 bottles. Remarkable just how consistent this cuvee is capable of being. I will say that this is probably a bit worse than the 2020 that I had the night before, mostly owing to the fact that the acidity here is not as pronounced. Unfortunate that the 2022 reds are so good and the 2022 whites are mostly 'meh'. There were some light differences, mostly to do with …

Beautiful nose dominated by flinty reduction: matchstick and citrus peel layered over crisp orchard fruit. The palate is cleaner and simpler by comparison, showing bright lemon and apple with good freshness but less depth than the nose promises. Nice texture, although the finish tapers off a bit quickly.

Matches with the previous notes, with the exception that this palate has a more explicitly caramel character of Montrachet. Mirrors my belief that this is a lovechild between PYCM and Coche. Nose has a lot of gunflint, but also has some hollowing fruit. I am slightly more skeptical of the ageing curve compared to six months prior, but will stick to the commitment for the sake of interest.

Pronounced nose intensity with notes of mineral, wet stones, apple, and distinct 'curry leaf� notes. Medium+ acidity.

Wine dinner at Zern's : Some said at the table that this had curry leaf and reduction but in contrast I didn't get mch on the nose. But wow I immediately said that this was a knockout on the palate, and I could see why someone more experienced said that this was reminiscent of old Coche. I thought the bottle I had in KL was impressive but this was on another level - so rich, layered and textured that I …

Two Kojis in KL : An aristocratic nose with very judicious use of new wood, I can understand why Koji's whites are compared to Coche. Fruit was ripe while remaining in the green and citrus spectrum, terrific weight for its level that was well-balanced by a large dose of acidity. Dry extract levels reminded me of makers like Lamy-Caillat.

Opened at Whale in HK. P&P and enjoyed. This was lovely - great use of oak, and had slight matchstick and toasted sesame aromatics on the nose. Palate slightly thin, but gained a bit of weight with air and really showed well over the course of a few fresh pours. Lovely work from K&JH as always - their '22s continue to impress - and I'm already looking forward to the next one.

Good

This was a lot of fun, so far as nightcaps go! One small glass taken from my bottle via Coravin, will provide a seperate listing as and when the bottle gets opened. As it is, there is some surprisingly persistent reduction that never really got moved along in the time I was drinking the wine. No matter, this is a characteristic that I am keen on. Palate is more pear than apple in quality, acidity is in a good spot …

Burgundy Tasting centered around William Kelley's 2022 wines (Restaurant Vineum, Rotterdam, NL) : Youthful energy, good density and stuffing, quite resinous but attractive oak, ripe citrus and a hint of apple, needs time to come together. Should turn out well.