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Domaine Berthaut-Gerbet 2018
A joy to taste Amélie Berthaut’s 2018, particularly when the appellations Gevrey Chambretin and Fixin outperformed in 2018. I was particularly impressed with her Fixin 1er Cru les Arvelets and Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru Les Plantes, dark fruited with a fragrant core, refined. Berthaut’s 2018 are wines that can age for many years and should be cellared with patience, especially the Vosne Romanee wines. Amélie started harvest on the 3rd of September for Pinot Noir and end of August for the white. Tasting Notes Gevrey Chambertin 2018 10% whole cluster. 30% new oak. From Combe du Dessus. Bright red fruits and rich blackberries. Vibrant acidity with good firmness and delicate…
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Domaine Duroche 2018
Domaine Duroche is one of the best producers in 2018 I have tasted. Pierre’s winemaking skills has reached to a new height and 2018 seem to have favoured Gevrey Chambertin as an appellation (more water). Most of his cuvees were at 12.5% alcohol with a few 13.5%. The style reminded me of Domaine Armand Rousseau, perhaps with slightly more concentration. Minimal new oak and a small percentage of whole cluster in some cuvees. A producer to look out for in 2018 Duroche started harvest on the 3rd of September, and I feel their wines have excelled in the balance between ripeness, richness and acidity. Alcohol level was at a modest…
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Domaine Arnoux Lachaux 2018
Charles Lachaux made a gorgeous portfolio of wines in 2018. Despite the lower acidity level in 2018, his wines are well-balanced and delicate. 100% whole cluster with floral nose and very soft tannins, an achievement consider other producers made heavier (borderline tannic) reds. Alcohol level were at a very modest level between 12.5%-13.5%. A producer to look out for especially in 2018. Harvest started in early September. Since 2017 Charles converted all corks to 54mm natural corks 100% tested for TCA. Winemaking Style In 2018, all the vines were not trimmed and there are around 5 times more leaves than usual with half the usual grape volume. In this fruitful…
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Domaine Robert Groffier 2018
Domaine Robert Groffier made a lovely array of Pinot Noir in 2018. Juicy and transparent with good balance (13.5% alcohol), a modern expression of Chambolle Musigny. Interesting to observe the gradual increase of whole bunch and new oak as we go from Bougogne to the Grand Crus, from 100% destemmed and no new oak in their Bourgogne to their 100% whole cluster and 100% new oak Chambertin Clos de Beze. In 2018, Bonnes Mares was particularly powerful and intense, though I have a soft spot for the Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru Les Hauts Doix, sexy fragrant (30% whole cluster) resembles the elegance of Les Amoureuses. Harvest started on the 30th…
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Corton Charlemagne Masterclass – November 2019
An educational evening of Corton Charlemagne masterclass covering both principal and “up and coming” producers from both negotiant and own domaine grapes. The key takeaways from the Corton Charlemagne dinner was: Never fully rely on producer reputation (Jadot > Meo & Chandon Briailles > de Montille) Reductive new oak modern style are popular (Dugat Py and Pierre Vincent Girardin) Coche is Coche Aperitif – Dom Perignon 1996 The 1996 Dom Perignon is drinking superbly today. A rich and exuberant nose of zingy ripe orchard fruit, creamy biscuit and hints of brioche. Medium bodied with great acidity. (92/100) Flight 1 Louis Jadot Domaine des Heritiers Corton Charlemagne 2012 From own Domaine…
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Domaine Heitz Lochardet 2017
My first visit to Domaine Heitz Lochardet and Armand Heitz welcomed us warmly. Most of the 2018 were not ready for tasting so we went through most of the 2017 whites and reds as well as the entry level 2018. In 2017, Armand Heitz made a superb portfolio of 2017 whites and surprisingly delicious 2017 reds, the 100% whole cluster style in their Pinot Noir matched the vintage characteristics really well – elegant and flamboyant, offering plenty of pleasure to drink young. A producer to keep an eye out for both their whites and reds! Winemaking 100% wholecluster in all their reds in 2017 since they didn’t have a destemmer…
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Domaine Bruno Colin 2018
2018 was a fruitful vintage for Domaine Bruno Colin. Their whites are open-knit and charming, and their reds were better than I had expected. Harvest started on the 1st of September, they managed to make some rich and flashy wines in this vintage. Bruno Colin has a strong market in France, 50% of the production are sold within France and 50% exported, US is their biggest market. Winemaking Whites spends 12 months in oak and around 3 months in stainless steel tank. Some battonage on the whites. Reds were 100% destemmed with 1 week of cold maceration. Tasting Notes Bourgogne Blanc 2018 A blend of their Domaine grapes and purchased…
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Domaine Leflaive 2018
Overall 2018 whites were much better than anticipated from a warm and dry vintage. Domaine Leflaive made a superb portfolio of white wines in 2018. From Macon to Chevalier Montrachet, their wines showed good energy and generous body with crisp acidity. The generic village Puligny Montrachet is linear and delightful, and as usual the highlight was the 1er Cru Pucelles and mighty Chevalier Montrachet, crystalline purity and expansive minerals 2018 was the most generous yield for Domaine Leflaive since 1982, on average 50hl/ha. Harvest between 26th of August to 1st of September. Since 2014 Domaine Leflaive has been using DIAM corks and has reduced the dosage of sulphur at bottling…
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Domaine Pierre Damoy 2018
Pierre Damoy targets deep maturity in his wines, and he made some rich and heavy reds in 2018. Pierre started harvesting on the 11th of September and took 11 days for the harvest. 70% destemmed. Overall yield: 30-40hl/ha. Unusually this year I find most of his village and Premier Cru wines overripe and too alcoholic, fortunately some of his Grand Crus were rich but not too overripe. Buyers will need to be careful on picking his wines in 2018 to avoid overripe wines. Tasting Notes Bourgogne Blanc 2018 Grapes purchased from Fixin. Rich and expressive array of ripe tree fruits and pears. Sweet fruits with upfront oak spices. Big-boned Bourgogne…
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Domaine Faiveley 2018
In the picture is the newly renovated fermentation room at Faiveley, with the design reminiscent of historical train station in tribute to Faiveley’s transport business. In my opinion the room looks very much like a cathedral (my type of cathedral!) Faiveley has improved their quality significantly in the past decade since they changed their vinification methods from 2006 to 2009. Gone were the days of tannic and extracted wines, in 2018 their reds are transparent and fragrant with good ripeness. An impressive performance in the context of the size of this estate. (owns more than 120ha across Burgundy). Faiveley started harvesting on the 27th of August. Winemaking Style Most cuvees…
