Fine & Rare Dinner Vol. 1 by Maksym Demchenko
An evening of rare Burgundy wines with Maksym, marked by unique selections, excellent food, and a close-knit gathering.
By Boris · Hosted by Max Demchenko
In an advantageous turn of events, my last month was unexpectedly filled with rich and complex flavours of Burgundy wines. Whether it was through attending or hosting tasting events dedicated to this illustrious region or simply enjoying a fine selection of bottles with friends, Burgundy seemed to be the theme of the moment.
I've always had a fondness for attending wine tastings, but I hold a special preference for more intimate gatherings with fewer participants and bottles. In such settings, not only does each participant get a fairer share of each bottle, but there's also more time to truly engage with the wine and the company --- minus the usual fatigue that comes with larger events. The only drawback, if any, is the price tag. However, the value of these experiences, in my opinion, far outweighs the cost.
So, when Maksym invited me to a tasting of rare Burgundy wines, it felt like a natural continuation of my current vinous journey. The promise of an "Anti Event-like" atmosphere --- exceptional wines in limited quantity, with a small group of people --- was too enticing to pass up. Maksym, the mastermind behind the selection, deserves all the praise. With bottles that have long disappeared from the shelves and some that never even made it there, it was an opportunity not to be missed. Was it delicious? Absolutely. It was even more engaging, considering the recent advanced course on Burgundy (also organised by Maksym). Each wine was divine, and the accompanying food from the welcoming Chef's Table restaurant only enhanced the experience. A heartfelt thank you to Maksym for the evening, to the Chef's Table crew for their hospitality and delectable food, and to all the participants for the warm company. Until next time.
| Wine | WAVG | SD | Price | QPR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Vénus2016 Agrapart | 🥈 | 4.60 | 0.15 | 8,500 ₴ | 1.58 |
 Jacques-Frederic Mugnier | #5 | 4.42 | 0.11 | 8,900 ₴ | 0.84 |
 Domaine Armand Rousseau | #6 | 4.40 | 0.18 | 6,900 ₴ | 0.91 |
 Domaine Perrot-Minot | #4 | 4.57 | 0.10 | 22,900 ₴ | 0.72 |
 Domaine G. Roumier | 🥉 | 4.59 | 0.13 | 41,000 ₴ | 0.55 |
 Domaine Bonneau du Martray | 🥇 | 4.61 | 0.11 | 20,900 ₴ | 0.82 |
Agrapart Vénus 2016
Starting the dinner with this wine was an extraordinary experience. It presented a sophisticated, delicate, and slightly perfumed bouquet, masterfully blending notes of chalk, bruised apple, damp cellar, citrus oil, wet earth, iodine, toasted almonds, and biscuit. The wine was focused and charged with energy, setting a high bar for what was to come.
Upon tasting, the wine revealed a concentrated, sharp, and resonating character that captivated the senses. Its depth and length were remarkable, offering a tasting experience that was both complex and nuanced. The finish was long and distinctly saline. Gorgeous wine.
Jacques-Frederic Mugnier Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Clos de la Marechale 2020
This wine exemplifies the wonderful house style, featuring a perfumed bouquet that elegantly combines sweet cherries, red berries, candy, wet earth, spices, and mushrooms. Its delicacy on the palate is striking, achieving a remarkable balance with good fruit presence and acidity. The long and delicious aftertaste further enhances the experience, making it truly memorable.
What stands out is how, despite its relative youth, the fruit serves as a broad yet subtle backdrop, allowing the earthy and perfumed notes to take center stage. And that just highlights how nuanced and complex this wine is.
Domaine Armand Rousseau Gevrey-Chambertin 2021
This wine is truly beautiful, capturing a perfumed and elegant style that's both captivating and refined. It offers a harmonious blend of dark berries, sweet red fruits, candies, and a touch of forest floor, intertwined with red (slightly dried) flowers, creating a rich yet delicate bouquet. Its near-perfect balance renders this powerful wine surprisingly gentle and elegant, with velvety, well-integrated tannin and racy acidity. Great bottle.
Domaine Perrot-Minot Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2017
This wine is predictably powerful, featuring a sophisticated and generous bouquet that intricately combines mulberry and blackberry with notes of cola, licorice, and potpourri. Its complexity and multi-layered nature are striking, and despite its almost full-bodied character, it manages to achieve an almost perfect balance, which lends the wine a certain delicacy and quaffability, making it both profound and accessible. The aftertaste is remarkably long, further enhancing the overall tasting experience. This wine is truly exciting.
Domaine G. Roumier Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Cras 2012
This wine's bouquet is captivating, offering a rich tapestry of aromas that include meat, earth, game, dried peonies, mushrooms, clove, black pepper, autumn leaves, and an aged cake of baimudan. The complexity and nuance of this bouquet are remarkable, presenting a very complete olfactory experience.
The acidity is wonderful, contributing to a vibrancy that makes the wine remarkably juicy despite its age. Its near-perfect balance and structure speak to the careful crafting and aging process it has undergone. The aftertaste extends for an impressively long duration, culminating in notes of blood, aged baimudan cake, and autumn leaves. Exceptional.
Domaine Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemange Grand Cru 2011
This wine is profoundly generous and captivating, weaving together an intricate bouquet of fried sesame, sunflower seeds, lemon tart, honey, wet stone, dried mango, melon, and brioche. It strikes a perfect balance in complexity and depth. With a medium-plus body, it showcases a great structure characterized by a distinct mineral backbone and a pleasingly oily texture. The palate is rich with flavors of honey, bruised apple, butter, vanilla, and crème brûlée, creating a harmonious and luxurious tasting experience. The aftertaste is insanely long, culminating in a unique saline finish. Pure bliss.