2008 Burgundy


Rating For The Vintage       

Red Wines: 17.0     White Wines: 17.5.     


THE SIZE OF THE CROP

                          
                                     Red               White                 Total


Grands Crus                        11529                3784                 15313 

Village and Premiers Crus         160492               64591                225083

Total                             172021               68375                240396

There are vintages which somehow never manage to live up to early expectations. Happily there have been few of these in recent memory. What has happened, quite frequently, is the reverse: years where if one extrapolated from the weather conditions or the growers' initial pessimistic fears one would tend to expect the worst, but in fact after the wines had settled down in cask and finished their malos, and even more after they had had a few months to repose after bottling, one said with no lack of surprise: 'Well, these are not bad at all'.

Such is 2008. As far down the line as Monday, September 15th., the day the harvest began some two weeks late in the Beaujolais, the auguries were unpromising. Burgundy seemed to be doomed. Then the miracle occured, the wind changed to the north, and the fruit was able to concentrate. It was warm and sunny, with cool nights to lessen the threat of rot. The sugars rose. The acidities fell, but not as proportionately fast. Absolutely what any doctor would have ordered! But there was nevertheless no shortage of sub-standard fruit which would have to be cut out. Given an already small crop and looming world depression how conscientious could the vignerons afford to be? Three years on – with the wines having had a year or more in bottle - we have the answer, and it is positive. Two thousand and eight is a small vintage but it is better than 2007, and in both colours. The red wines have plenty of charcter and harmony, and the best have depth, and, indeed, richness. It should not be neglected.

A brief summary of the weather conditions.

Up to the middle of June, when the moon was full on the 18th., the season had been cool, wet and miserable. The flowering was late and drawn out, promising a late and uneven harvest. The next six weeks happily saw a marked inprovement: plenty of sun, not too much rain – and what there was was sporadic and localised – though it was warm rather than hot. Temperatures rarely exceeded 30°C. Then the weather deteriorated. There was more rain and less sun right through to mid-September. A bleak summer indeed! Overall there was less precipitation on the Côte de Nuits than the Côte de Beaune, and less still in the Côte Chalonnaise. Chablis seems to have enjoyed the mildest weather of all. But inevitably, the incidence of mildew, oidium and botrytis became ever more serious as the weeks progressed. At various times from the beginning of May onwards, hail damaged the vineyards of Marsannay, Volnay and Meursault, Chassagne and parts of the southern Màconnais and northern Beaujolais.

At the last minute, however, more benign conditions returned and continued well into October. The harvest kicked off in the Beaujolais, as I have said, on September 15th. A week or more later the growers began to attack the Mâconnais and to some extent the Côte de Beaune. But many in the Côte d'Or held off until Monday 29th or even, in the Côte de Nuits, into October, and were able to profit from natural sugar levels of 13° and higher. It was the latest harvest for some years, requiring 110 or more, not 100, days from flowering to fruition. And, yes, a severe tri was essential, but in fact there was less to cut out than there had been 12 months previously.

The 2008s were not easy wines to taste out of cask in the autumn of 2009. There was, as you might expect, a lot of malic acidity, and the malo-lactic fermentations had been slow to complete. Even in October, twelve months on, many wines had not yet finished their malos. Others, not yet racked, were still full of gas. It felt like one was sampling in July, not in the middle of the fall. On the plus side, however, the red wines had good healthy colours, the tannins were unexpectedly sophisticated, and there was good terroir definition. They had more substance than 2007, better tannins and grip than 2006, and very good fruit, especially for those who like their wines to have a bit of bite. The highish acidities – but as Michel Gros pointed out: after the malos had finished he found his wines only a very little higher in acid than normal - will ensure that the wines will keep well. The Côte de Nuits has produced better wine than the Côte de Beaune, but, except in Beaune itself, to a less marked degree than 2006 and 2007. Two-thousand and eight is also one of the best of recent vintages in the Côte Chalonnaise.

The Market.

Essentially the 2008s reached the market at a period of price stability. By and large Burgundy prices seem to rise like a staircase: a jump when there is a vintage much in demand – 2005, 2009 – and then a flattening out until the next stellar year.

Some in Burgundy had opted for a small, say five percent, increase in 2007. These were persuaded to come down again. With one or two others it was the reverse. And there is always today the odd estate which is 're-positioning' itself. But for most the 2008s were quoted at the same levels as 2005, 2006 and 2007. It would be different in 12 month's time. And by the time the 2008s were put on the market, the growers already knew they had this big one in the bag.

I feared at the time that the response would be cool, but the 2008s sold better than I had expected. And not just to merchants who wished to register a keenness for the 2009s but further down the pipeline. This was despite the fact that in Britain the wines were shown to the trade, the press and the public, as always, in the first weeks of January 2010, and being, as I have said three months younger than usual, did not show well. 'Too acid', said some of the inexperienced, those who never venture into the region itself.

The Wines Three Years On.

'Liquorice' said Aubert de Villaine, when we tasted the 2008 DRC wines together in November 2010. What I like about the best 2008 reds is their freshness, the frequency of sophisticated tannins and the amount of intensity of fruit in the best. Three years on it is clear, such are the high standards of wine-making and elevage today, that there is a lot of 'best', particularly in Nuits-Saint-Georges, Vosne-Romanée and Chambolle-Musigny.

Elsewhere, especially in the Côte de Beaune, the wines lack a certain amount of energy and intensity. They are fruity and easy to drink, with no excessive acidity, but also with less tannic structure than I had expected (though there are some which are a little over-extracted). Here there is a lack of backbone. The wines have a class and harmony which is admirable, but not the size and energy. There were also, at our tasting three years on, quite a number of wines which had marked amounts of reduction. This, I would suggest, is a result of the very late malos. This makes the red wine vintage overall very good but not better.

But what I would say finally – and this is not to denigrate the 2009s – is that I am convinced that there are some – not many but some - 2008s which are every bit as good, in their very different ways, as the same wines produced a year later. And I don't think I am alone in holding this view.

The Best Wines

20/20

19.5

19.0

THE TASTING

The notes that follow are, as usual, an assembly of, firstly, the Domaine Familiaux presentation in March 2011 in Paris, secondly various tastings I attended on my annual US visit in April, and thirdly the Group's three day tasting at the end of August. Some wines were seen more than once, so what you will read is a composite note.

RED WINES

COTE CHALONNAISE

Bouzeron, La Fortune, Domaine A et P de Villaine14.0From 2014

Mineral, stylish and ripe and balanced. Very good for what it is.

Bouzeron, La Digoine, Domaine A et P de Villaine15.0From 2015

This is the cuvée from the older vines. Much more concenrated. Even rich. Medium body. Lovely balance. Fine for what it is.

Mercurey, Clos Marcilly, Domaine Michel Briday 15.5 From 2016

Medium to medium-full colour. Soft, ripe, stylish, most agreable nose. Nice and plump. Balanced and charming. Very good for what it is.

Mercurey, Clos de Myglands, Domaine Faiveley 15.0 From 2015

Soft, ripe and stylish, but only light to medium body.

COTE DE BEAUNE

Chorey-Lès-Beaune, Pièce de la Chapitre, Domaine Tollot-Beaut14.0From 2014

Medium weight. Fresh and juicy. Lovely fruit. Good grip. Plenty of charm and plenty of interest.

Aloxe-Corton, Clos des Marechaudes, Domaine du Pavillon13.5From 2015

Medium body. Fresh and fruity. Reasonable depth and character but lacks a bit of fat, and therefore generosity. Finishes somewhat lean.

Pernand-Vergelesses, Les Vergelesses, Domaine Chandon de Briailles 15.5 From 2016

On the light side, but fresh and very agreably fruity. Good positive finish. Elegant.

Savigny-Lès-Beaune, Les Guettes, Domaine Simon Bize 16.5From 2018

Good colour. Rich and meaty but ripe and stylish. Intense and balanced. Medium-full body. Fine for a Savigny.

Savigny-Lès-Beaune, Les Serpentières, Domaine Simon Bize16.0From 2017

Medium bodied. Fresh. Ripe. Lovely fruit. Lots of energy. Positive and surprisingly elegant. Very good plus.

Beaune, Clos du Dessus de Marconnets, Château de la Tour 14.5 From 2016

Village A.C. Good colour. Ripe and fat and round and elegant. Good tannins. Medium-full body. Quite elegant. Quite good plus.

Beaune, Premier Cru, Cuvée Tante Berthe, Domaine du Château de Chorey14.0From 2016

This is for oak eaters, and is not for me. I find the oak far too dominating. Ripe and rich and medium-full bodied, but not concentrated enough to balance the oak.

Beaune, Boucherottes, Domaine A.F. Gros 15.5 From 2015

Medium to medium-full colour. Some development. Round and ripe but a bit flat on the nose. Medium to medium-full body. Better on the palate. Balanced, stylish and positive.

Beaune, Bressandes, Domaine Chanson15.0From 2015

Medium colour. A touch green but some substance on the nose. Quite an attractive medium bodied wine. Fresh and fruity and positive at the end.

Beaune, Bressandes, Domaine des Croix 14.5From 2015

Medium to medium-full colour. Fresh and fruity on the nose. Light to medium body. Fruity but there is astringency lurking underneath. Stylish though.

Beaune, Clos des Fèves, Domaine Chanson14.5From 2015

Medium to medium-full colour. Some development. A bit four-square and clumsy on the nose. Medium-full body. Chunky and a bit astringent on the attack, but decent fruit underneath.

Beaune, Clos des Mouches, Domaine Chanson 14.5 From 2014

Medium to medium-full colour. Good depth on the nose. Quite rich. Ripe, almost sweet attack. Medium to medium-full body. I find the fruit a bit spurious. The wine lacks a bit of style.

Beaune, Clos des Mouches, Domaine Joseph Drouhin 16.0 From 2016

Medium-full colour. The nose is still a little closed. Medium-full body.Good tannins. Balanced and fresh. Lacks a little real elegance, but quite rich. Quite meaty. Good finish. Very good.

Beaune, Clos du Roi, Domaine Henri Boillot 15.0 From 2015

Medium colour. Soft, forward, fruity nose. A little reduced at the moment. Medium weight. A bit astringent. Decent fresh fruit though.

Beaune, Clos du Roi, Domaine Tollot-Beaut11.0 Drink soon

Light to medium colour. Somewhat skinny nose. Thin and weedy. No.

Beaune, Clos des Ursules (Vignes Franches), Domaine Louis Jadot 15.0 From 2015

Medium-full colour. Pretty but light-weight nose. Ripe. Medium bodied. Quite elegant. Certainly balanced. But a little less to it than some.

Beaune, Les Cras, Domaine du Château de Chorey17.0From 2016

Good colour. Lots of depth here. Rich, slightly oaky. Meaty and succulent. Medium-full body. Lovely fruit. Finishes very well. Very good indeed.

Beaune, Epenottes, Domaine Jean-Marc Boillot 15.0 From 2015

Medium-full colour. Fresh, soft, plump nose. Good fruit-driven style. Medium-full body. Good tannins. Ripe acidity. Long and elegant and very good on the attack, but slightly thin as it evolved.

Beaune, Grèves, Domaine de Bellene 14.5 From 2014

Medium-full colour. Slightly hard on the nose. Medium body. This is a little astringent at present but the underlying fruit isn't too bad.

Beaune, Grèves, Vigne de l'Enfant Jesus, Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils. 16.5From 2018

Medium-full colour. Ripe, round, fresh, seductive nose, with a touch of lightly toasted oak underneath. Medium-full body. Good class and intensity. Long on the palate. Very good plus.

Beaune, Grèves, Domaine Chanson 15.0From 2014

Medium colour. Soft, fruity, forward nose. Decent fruit on the palate. Even reasonable balance. But not a great deal of class.

Beaune, Grèves, Domaine des Croix15.5 From 2016

Good colour. A bit hidden but good depth on the nose. Perhaps a bit over-extracted but fresh and balanced. A meaty wine. Just lacks a bit of richness.

Beaune, Grèves, Domaine Michel Lafarge14.0 From 2014

Light, forward nose. More earthy than fruity on the nose. A bit over-extracted. Medium body. Slightly astringent. Slightly lean too. Only quite good.

Beaune, Grèves, Domaine de Montille 17.0 From 2017

Medium-full colour. Nice and ripe. Even meaty. Good tannins and good grip. Medium to medium-full body. Plenty of succulence here. Long and very good indeed.

Beaune, Grèves, Domaine Remoissenet 17.0 From 2017

Good colour. Rich, fat, oaky, voluptuous nose. Fullish body. Concentrated. Elegant. Plenty of wine here. Finishes very well. One of the best of the 2008 Beaunes.

Beaune, Grèves, Domaine Tollot-Beaut 16.0From 2016

Medium-full body. Ripe, quite fat. Good oaky base. Nice and rich and accessible. Ample. Very good finish. Very good.

Beaune, Marconnets, Domaine Remoissenet 16.0 From 2016

Good colour. Firm, closed, rich nose. Fullish body. Good tannins. Plenty of grip. A little ungainly now but this has a future.

Beaune, Montée Rouge, Domaine de Bellene15.5From 2015

Medium colour. Ripe, quite rich nose. Good depth. Medium to medium-full body. Spicy, balanced and with a good grip. Attractive finish.

Beaune, Pertuisots, Domaine Jean-Yves Devevey 14.0 From 2014

Medium-full colour. Good fruit on the nose. But a touch of astringency as it developed on the palate. Medium body. Slightly ungainly.

Beaune, Pertuisots, Domaine des Croix 15.0 From 2015

Medium to medium-full colour. Quite closed on the nose. Medium to medium-full body. Good grip. Elegant and decent fruit. Good plus.

Beaune, Teurons, Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils13.0 From 2014

Medium colour. Some development. Somewhat reduced, sweaty nose. Medium body. Rather spuriously sweet. Ungainly and raw at the end.

Beaune, Teurons, Domaine Rossignol-Trapet11.0 Drink soon

Medium to medium-full colour. A little thin and vegetal on the nose. Similarly lean on the palate. No.

Volnay, Vendanges Selectionées, Domaine Michel Lafarge 16.0 From 2018

Medium weight. Elegant. Lovely balance and very good fruit. Lovely long finish. The essence of Volnay.

Volnay, Les Caillerets, Domaine Henri Boillot16.0 From 2016

Medium-full colour. Pleasant fruity nose. No great depth or personality but a touch of reduction. Medium to medium-full body. Good grip and attractive frersh fruit on the palate. A little astringent at the end but very good.

Volnay, Les Caillerets, Domaine Louis Boillot13.0 From 2014

Medium-full colour. Lots of ripe but rather artificial raspberry fruit all the way hrough this wine. It seems rather concocted.

Volnay, Les Caillerets, Domaine de la Pousse d'Or17.0 From 2016

Medium-full colour. A little reduction on the nose. At first a bit inflexible. Medium-full body. On the palate there is no lack of concentration and richness. And class too as it developed.

Volnay, Caillerets des 60 Ouvrées, Domaine de la Pousse d'Or18.0 From 2018

Medium-full colour. Classic, concentrated Volnay nose. Good weight and very good grip. Lovely concentrated fruit. Fullish, ripe, rich and energetic. Lots of vigour and lots of class. Fine plus.

Volnay, Carelle Sous la Chapelle, Domaine Jean-Marc Boillot 13.5From 2014

Medium-full colour. Ripe if somewhat clumsy on the nose. Medium body. A hint of astringency and leanness on the palate. One dimensional.

Volnay, Les Champans, Domaine Marquis d'Angerville 17.5From 2016

Medium to medium-full colour. High-toned but classy, balanced nose. Fullish body. Ripe and generous. Long and intense. Very Volnay. Lovely finish.

Volnay, Les Champans, Domaine des Comtes Lafon17.5 From 2018

Medium-full colour. Plenty of depth here. Still closed. Rich complex nose. Splendid concentration of fruit. Fullish body. Lots of energy and class. Lots of dimension. Fine.

Volnay, Les Champans, Domaine de Montille 16.5From 2018

Round, ripe and elegant. Medium body. Full of fruit. Long on the palate. Very good plus.

Volnay, Le Chevret, Domaine Henri Boillot16.5 From 2016

Medium-full colour. Rich, ripe, concentrated and classy on the nose. Fullish body. Good tannins. And grip. Still fresh and youthful. Complex, long and classy.

Volnay, Clos d'Audignac, Domaine de la Pousse d'Or16.0 From 2015

Medium-full colour. Round, ripe, rich and generous on the nose. Summer pudding. Most attractive and easy to enjoy. Medium-full body. Balanced. Fresh. Ripe and seductive. Positive at the end. Very good.

Volnay, Clos de la Bousse d'Or, Domaine de la Pousse d'Or 18.0From 2018

Medium-full colour. Full, closed, concentrated, very, very classy fruit. This is most impressive. Full body. Very ripe tannins. Excellent grip. Really concentrated and multi-dimensional.

Volnay, Clos de la Cave des Ducs, Maison Benjamin Leroux15.0 From 2016

Medium-full colour. Reduced nose. Difficult to taste. Slight touch of CO2. Underneath the wine is fullish. Meaty, ripe and rich. Good grip. Doesn't sing today but could be good.

Volnay, Clos du Château des Ducs, Domaine Michel Lafarge14.0 From 2014

Medium colour. Slightly closed in on the nose. Somewhat four square on the palate. Good depth though. But a touch astringent and lean on the palate. It lacks sex appeal.

Volnay, Clos des Chènes, Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils14.0 From 2016

Medium-full colour. Some development. Quite pronounced reduction on the nose. Rather astringent on the palate as a result. Medium to medium-full body. Bitter on the finish. Difficult to taste.

Volnay, Clos des Chênes, Domaine Antonin Guyon 15.5From 2016

Medium-full colour. This is a bit closed in on the nose, and seems to lack a little personality. Medium-full body. Ripe. Quite rich. Balanced and positive at the end nevertheless.

Volnay, Clos des Chênes, Domaine Michel Lafarge18.5 From 2020

Real depth and class here. This is fullish bodied. Rich, concentrated and very elegant. Lovely.

Volnay, Clos des Chènes, Domaine des Comtes Lafon15.5 From 2016

Medium colour. Some development. Rich, ripe, concentrated, sturdy nose. Medium-full body. Good structure and grip. Slightly hard at present. Decent fruit and acidity. Good depth and a positive finish.

Volnay, Clos des Ducs, Domaine du Marquis d'Angerville 18.5 From 2019

Fullish body. Rich, concentrated and profound. Very harmonious. Really intense at the end. Very lovely.

Volnay, Les Fremiets, Domaine du Marquis d'Angerville17.0From 2017

Soft, elegant, medium bodied. Intense and classy. Very pure fruit. Very long.

Volnay, Les Fremiets, Domaine Henri Boillot15.5From 2016

Medium to medium-full colour. Soft, round, not rich but ripe and balanced and stylish on the nose. Medium to medium-full body. Good tannins. Ripe balanced fruit. Elegant and positive. This has good length, if not real intensity

Volnay, Les Fremiets, Domaine Francois Parent16.5From 2016

Medium-full colour. Good depth, class and maturity here on the nose. Medium-full body. Quite concentrated. Ripe tannins. Good structure and grip. Long and classy.

Volnay, Les Mitans, Domaine Michel Lafarge 14.5 From 2014

Medium-full colour. A little rigid and unripe at first on the nose. More flexible as it developed. Medium body. Pretty fruit. Ripe and forward, but a lack of depth and concentration.

Volnay, Les Mitans, Domaine de Montille14.0From 2014

Medium colour. Some development. Reduced smells on the nose. The stems evident. Somewhat ungainly and astringent on the palate. Medium body. Slightly short. But the fruit is pretty.

Volnay, Les Santenots du Milieu, Domaine des Comtes Lafon18.5From 2019

Good colour. Lovely nose. Fresh, vigorous, and very elegant. The fruit is poised and classy. Medium-full body. Harmonious. Sophisticated tannins. Lovely.

Volnay, Les Taillepieds, Domaine du Marquis d'Angerville18.0 From 2019

This is quite a substantial wine. Good depth. Lovely classy fruit. Lots of energy. Medium-full body. Fine plus.

Volnay, Les Taillepieds, Domaine Francois Buffet17.5 From 2016

Medium to medium-full colour. Lightish, high-toned, fresh, fruity nose. Whole clusters? Ripe underneath. Medium-full body. Ripe and rich and intense. Good vigour and plenty of class. Lovely finish.

Volnay, Les Taillepieds, Domaine de Montille17.0 From 2016

Medium to medium-full colour. A little tight on the nose. Slightly astringent too from the whole cluster vinification. Softer and more elegant after aeration. Medium to medium-full body. Plenty of ripe fruit. Good grip. Long on the palate. Very good indeed.

Pommard, Clos des Epenots, Domaine du Comte Armand. 17.0From 2017

Medium-full colour. Sturdy, backward, fullish and good fruit on the nose. Fullish body. Somewhat four square at present. But rich underneath. Good grip. Plenty of vigour. Very good indeed.

Pommard, Clos des Ursulines, Domaine du Pavillon15.0 From 2016

A monopoly, but village A.C. Lots of finesse, and not a bit austere. Good volume. Ripe tannins. No hard edges. Generous and positive. Very good for what it is.

Pommard, Les Epenots, Domaine Francois Parent 17.5 From 2017

Medium-full colour. Some development. Vigorous, rich and seductive on the nose. Full body. Rich. Meaty. Concentrated. Very good tannins. Very lovely fruit. Intense and classy. Long. Fine.

Pommard, Les Fremiers, Domaine Louis Boillot16.0From 2016

Medium colour. Some development. Ripe, ample, accessible nose. Civilised. Medium-full body. Ripe. Lots of fruit. Fresh and attravtive with a nice stylish finish.

Pommard, Les Grands Epenots, Domaine Michel Gaunoux17.5From 2018

Quite full body. Crisp and fresh and elegant. Lovely fruit. Very good follow through. Fine

Pommard, Les Jarollières, Domaine Jean-Marc Boillot 12.0 From 2014

Medium-full colour. Somewhat hard, pinched and vegetal on the nose. Lacks charm as well as ripeness. Astringent and attenuated on the palate. No.

Pommard, Les Jarollières, Domaine de la Pousse d'Or15.5From 2016

Medium-full colour. Not the greatest of class on the nose. Slightly thin fruit at the end. Better on the palate. Fresh. Medium-full body. Ample. Good grip. Still young. Slightly ungainly but good plus.

Pommard, Les Pezerolles, Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils16.5 From 2017

Medium colour. Full nose. Rich, sturdy and a little four square. Fullish body. Good class. Good intensity. A bit burly but that is Pezerolles. Balanced and positive.

Pommard, Les Pezerolles, Domaine A.F. Gros 16.0From 2015

Medium to medium-full colour. Rich, ripe, fullish nose. Good tannins here. Balanced, accessible, attractive. But enough weight here?

Pommard, Les Pezerolles, Domaine de Montille15.5 From 2018

Medium to medium-full body. Good fruit. Ripe and stylish if not as elegant or complex as their Volnay, Champans.

Pommard, Les Rugiens, Domaine Henri Boillot 13.5From 2016

Fullish colour. Backward, firm, yet rich and plentiful on the nose. Just needs time. But it didn't develop well in the glass. The finish became rather lean.

Pommard, Les Rugiens, Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils14.0 From 2016

Medium colour. Fullish, backward, rich and intense, but somewhat ungainly. It lacks class. Good vigour though. May turn out better than this mark would suggest.

Pommard, Les Rugiens, Domaine Francois Buffet13.5From 3016

Medium-full colour. Some development. Firm, spicy, meaty nose. Some stems here. Somewhat lean in the background. Medium to mediuù-full body. Rather thin and astringent. Lacks class.

Pommard, Les Rugiens, Domaine Michel Gaunoux 17.0From 2019

Fullish body. Some tannin. Rich and earthy. Succulent and with plenty of depth. A meaty wine. Very good indeed.

Pommard, Les Rugiens, Domaine de Montille17.0 From 2019

Fullish, tannic attack. Still a bit closed. Lovely fruit. Very good indeed.

Pommard, Les Rugiens, Domaine du Pavillon 17.5 From 2018

Medium-full body. Fine, classy and profound with lots of fruit and plenty of dimension. Lovely finish. Fine.

COTE DE NUITS

Marsannay, Les Longerois, Domaine Bruno Clair15.5 From 2015

Good colour. Delicious fruit. Fresh. Medium bodied. Balanced. Unexpected personality and style.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Chailots, Domaine Gilbert et Christine Felletigr16.5From 2016

A village wine under Poirets. Elegant, but only medium bodied for a Nuits-Saints-Georges. But fragrant and stylish. No rude tannins. Elegant, ample, balanced fruit. Very clean. Very good, long finish.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Saints-Juliens, Domaine de Montille16.5From 2018

A village wine in mid-slope immediately to the north of the town. Good structure and depth. Fullish body. Ripe and meaty. Very good indeed for a village example.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Premier Cru, Domaine Michel Gros 16.0 From 2018

From Aux Murgers and Aux Vignerondes. Medium-full colour. Full nose. Slightly chunky. Some tannin. Yet fresh and balanced and fruity underneath. Fullish body. Some tannin. Typical Nuits-Saint-Georges. Good grip and plenty of energy. Lacks a bit of real class – the tannins are a bit rude – but very good. The finish is long.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Boudots, Domaine Grivot 17.5 From 2018

Good colour. Round, soft, very ripe nose. Medium-full body. Lots of energy. Very good grip. Classy. Fine.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Cailles, Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils18.0 From 2019

Full colour. Quite a severe nose. Yet there is depth here. Rich, fullish body. Succulent. Very good acidity. Lots of energy. Very classy fruit on the finish.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Cailles, Domaine Robert Chevillon17.5 From 2020

Medium-full colour. Rich, full, aggressive, chocolaty nose. Full body. Very good tannins. Almost sweet. Good grip. Needs time.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Aux Chaignots, Domaine Dr. Georges Mugneret-Gibourg16.5 From 2017

Fullish colour. Cool, classy, balanced, fragrant nose. Medium to medium-full body. Lacks a bit of grip and vigour so no better than very good plus.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Clos des Argillières, Domaine Michèle et Patrice Rion 18.0From 2018

Full colour. Ample, rich, soft and succulent on the nose. Fullish body. Oaky. Profound. Very good grip. This is very classy. Ample, energetic and most impressive.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Clos de la Maréchale, Domaine J. Frédéric Mugnier 17.5From 2018

Medium-full body. Rich, ripe, concentrated and intense. Really elegant for a Nuits-Saint-Georges.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Clos des Porrets Saint-Georges, Domaine Gouges 17.0 From 2017

Quite soft on the nose. Lovely fruit and very good grip. But but no means a blockbuster. Medium body. Elegant.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Clos Saint-Marc, Domaine Michèle et Patrice Rion 18.0 From 2017

Medium-full colour. Balanced, classy, cool nose. Full, concentrated, energetic and complex. Very fine style too. This is very lovely. Class all the way through.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Cras, Domaine Lamarche 18.0 From 2018

Full colour. Rich, ample, oaky, succulent nose. Lots of style and balance and no lack of structure either. Full body. Very fine grip. Youthful but lots of class and lots of energy too.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Cras, Domaine du Vicomte Liger-Belair 16.0 From 2018

Fullish colour. Robust, ample, gamey, full-bodied nose. Very Nuits-Saint-Georges. Fullish body. Some tannin. Somewhat aggressive on the attack, but good concentration underneath. Plenty of vigour.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Damodes, Domaine Jean Chauvenet 18.0 From 2018

Medium-full colour. Reticent but elegant nose. Attractive succulent fruit. Quite forward. More to it on the palate. Fullish, ample, vigorous. Lots of depth. Fine finish. Fine plus.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Damodes, Domaine de la Vougeraie 15.0From 2016

Medium colour. Ample, rich, fullish nose, but something a little four-square here. Medium-full body. Slightly clumsy. Good grip and balance though.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Aux Murgers, Domine Sylvain Cathiard18.5From 2019

Full colour. Classy nose. Closed in. But nothing aggressive about it. This is most impressive. Full body. Fine tannins and grip. Excellent concentration of very classy fruit. Goes on and on at the end. Quite splendid. Very fine.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Aux Murgers, Domaine Alain Hudelot-Noêllat 16.0 From 2016

Medium to medium-full colour. Fragrant nose. Balanced, stylish and high-toned. Medium body. Soft, ripe and forward. Fresh and attractive. Positive and elegant.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Aux Murgers, Domaine Méo-Camuzet17.5From 2018

Medium body. Not a blockbuster. A little new oak. Quite a relaxed, feminine Nuits-Saint-Georges. Balanced, long and stylish.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Aux Perdrix, Domaine de Perdrix 17.5 From 2018

Fullish colour. Rich, ripe, stemmy nose. Stylish and balanced. Fullish body. Rich, very good fruit and very good grip. Lots of energy. Very clean. Positive, complex, and fine.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Perrières, Domaine Jean Chauvenet17.5 From 2020

Full colour. Rich, full, sturdy, concentrated nose. Plenty of wine here. Lots of depth too. Fullish body. Quite tannic. Rich and substantial. What it lacks is a bit of flexibility, but this will come.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Procès, Domaine Drouhin17.5 From 2019

Medium-full body. A nice touch of new oak here. Round and quite rich. Long and succulent. Elegant. Fine.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Porrets Saint-Georges, Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils 17.5From 2018

Medium-full colour. A little closed, even hard, but good depth here on the nose. Fullish body. Good definition. Fragrant and balanced. This has good intensity if not the volume of some. Fine.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Porrets Saint-Georges, Domaine Faiveley17.5 From 2018

Medium-full colour. A bit austere at first, but better on the palate. Medium-full body. Good grip. Good structure. This has class and dimension. Finishes stylishly too. Fine.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Pruliers, Domaine Robert Chevillon18.0 From 2019

Medium-full colour. Rich, ample, slightly gamey nose. But attractive and accessible. Fullish body. Very abundant, rich and ripe. Very good grip. Classy and long on the palate. Most impressive.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Pruliers, Domaine Gouges17.5 From 2019

Fullish, very rich. Good tannins. Lovely depth and style here. Very good fruit. Fine.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Pruliers, Domaine Grivot17.5 From 2020

Medium to medium-full colour. Gamey nose, but a bit closed. Fullish body. Some tannin. This is a touch hard at present, but there is no lack of depth and concentration here. It just needs time.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Pruliers, Domaine Taupenot-Merme 17.5From 2019

Fullish colour. Full, firm, slightly solid nose. A little hard at first. But better on the palate. Ample, fullish-bodied, generous and even fat on the palate. Very good grip. This has plenty of energy and a fine classy finish.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Saint-Georges, Domaine Gouges 18.0From 2020

Fullish colour. Closed in but classic middle Nuits-Saint-Georges nose. Full, rich but somewhat hard at present. Needs time. Fullish body. Youthful and energetic. Rich and ripe and with very good grip. Long finish. Fine plus.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Saint-Georges, Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair 17.5 From 2018

Full colour. Quite a civilised nose for this sector. Even round. Full body. Rich. Ample. Balanced and stylish. Long and complex. Good class.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Terres Blanches, Domaine de Perdrix16.0 From 2018

A 'new' vineyard carved out of the land upslope from Aux Perdrix, and promoted directly to premier cru in recent years. The vines are still young. Full, vigorous colour. Rich, opulent oaky nose. Accessible, ripe and very seductive on the attack. But on the follow through the wine tails off a bit. Only very good.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Aux Thorey, Maison Benjamin Leroux15.5From 2017

Medium-full colour. Just a bit sweaty on the nose. Yet plenty of ample fruit here. Medium body. Ripe. Decent class. Good grip. Not brilliant but an attractive fruity bottle.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Vaucrains, Domaine Jean Chauvenet17.5 From 2020

Full colour. Ample, rich, tannic nose. But not too aggressive. Good grip and plenty of depth. Full body. A big tannic monster. Somewhat four square. But rich and balanced. All it needs is time.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Vaucrains, Domaine Robert Chevillon15.0 From 2016

Full colour. Rich, full, tannic nose, a little raw. Medium weight. Decent attack but then it tails off. A bit short.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Vaucrains, Maison Camille Giroud17.0From 2016

Medium-full colour. Quite a solid nose. Some tannin. But these are ripe. Medium to medium full body. On the palate this is already soft and succulent. It is very good indeed but lacks the backbone for long term keeping.

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Vaucrains, Domaine Gouges 18.0 From 2020

This is really quite substantial. Good tannins. Very rich and concentrated. Lovely finish. Fine plus.

Vosne-Romanée, Les Bossières, Domaine Grivot.16.5From 2016

Village A.C. Pure, mineral, positive nose. Medium body. Slightly austere but classy and complex.

Vosne-Romanée, Premier Cru, Cuvée Duvault-Blochet Domaine de la Romanée-Conti16.0From 2016

Medium colour. Attractive fruit but a little light-weight on the nose. Medium body. Quite intense if without great tannic structure. Balanced and fresh and stylish. Good length, but by no means a blockbuster.

Vosne-Romanée, Premier Cru, Domaine Gros Frère et Soeur 15.5 From 2017

From the younger vines in their grand cru vineyards. Medium to medium-full colour. Some development. Ripe, fresh, balanced nose. Medium to medium-full weight. Gently oaky. Stylish and balanced. But no great depth or concentration.

Vosne-Romanée, Les Beaumonts, Domaine Dujac16.0 From 2017

Medium-full colour. Somewhat raw on the nose. Good size but currently ungainly. Medium-full body. A little astringent. Yet very good fruit underneath.

Vosne-Romanée, Les Beaux-Monts, Domaine Grivot18.5From 2020

Good colour. Sumptuous nose. Rich, full, vigorous and profound. A really very concentrated, multi-dimensional wine. Full body. Great class too.

Vosne-Romanée, Les Beaumonts, Domaine Alain Hudelot-Noëllat 17.0 From 2018

Medium to medium-full colour. Ripe, fresh, balanced and stylish on the nose. Good minerality. Cool and classy. Backward but fine depth and class. What it lacks is just a bit of energy at the end.

Vosne-Romanée, Les Brulées, Domaine Eugenie 19.0From 2019

Medium-full colour. Ripe, gently oaky. Concentrated and delicious on the nose. Medium-full body. Ripe. Even sweet. But very good grip and harmony. Very intense. Excellent.

Vosne-Romanée, Les Brulées, Domaine Grivot 17.5From 2018

Medium to medium-full colour. Some development. Ripe and accessible. Balanced and elegant. Fullish body. Soft, yet intense and concentrated. Good grip. Long. Fine.

Vosne-Romanée, Les Brulées, Domaine Michel Gros19.0From 2019

Medium-full colour. Rich, concentrated, backward, classy nose. Lots of depth here. Really stylish. Lovely harmony. Fullish body. Splendid fruit. Excellent finish.

Vosne-Romanée, Les Brulées, Domaine Méo-Camuzet, 18.5 From 2019

Medium-full colour. Ripe, rich, profound and very good intensity. Fullish. Backward. Lots of energy and class. Quite oaky. Very long. Very fine.

Vosne-Romanée, Les Brulées, Domaine Gerard Mugneret18.5From 2019

Fullish colour. Very lovely nose. Very aristocratic. Lots of dimension. Fullish body. Cool. Mineral. Harmonious. Complex. Lots of intensity. Very lovely.

Vosne-Romanée, La Croix Rameau, Domaine Lamarche14.0From 2017

Medium to medium-full colour. Rich, fullish, quite closed in nose. Medium weight. The tannins are a little extracted though and there is some astringency on the palate. Only an adequate amount of grip and richness.

Vosne-Romanée, Les Chaumes, Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux17.0From 2018

Medium-full colour. Good depth and style on the nose. Medium-full body. Ample. Round. Succulent. Some tannin. Very stylish and very good grip. Very good indeed.

Vosne-Romanée, Les Chaumes, Domaine Gros Frère et Soeur 16.5From 2018

Medium-full colour. Soft, ripe, fruity nose. Ripe and rich on the palate. Medium-full body. Balanced. Good depth. Finishes well.

Vosne-Romanée, Les Chaumes, Domaine Lamarche 16.5 From 2018

Medium-full colour. Plenty of substance but quite hidden on the nose. Medium-full body. Not a blockbuster but stylish and complex. Positive finish. Very good plus.

Vosne-Romanée, Clos de Réas, Domaine Michel Gros 18.0 From 2019

Medium colour. Good fruit on the nose but a little closed. Medium-full body. Subtle, harmonious, concentrated and intense. Very elegant. Lovely finish.

Vosne-Romanée, Cros Parentoux, Domaine Emmanuel Rouget19.0From 2019

Fullish colour. Lovely nose. Very classy, intense fruit. Some oak. Impressively aristocratic. Excellent fruit and harmony. Long and complex and vigorous. Lovely finish;

Vosne-Romanée, Les Malconsorts, Domaine Sylvain Cathiard 19.0 From 2020

Medium-full colour. Lots of concentration and lots of very fine fruit on the nose. Fullish body. This is really elegant and profound. Very good grip and concentration. Multi-dimensional. Very fine plus.

Vosne-Romanée, Les Malconsorts, Domaine Dujac16.0From 2016

Medium colour. Ripe on the nose and with good grip, but not a great deal of concentration or substance. Positive at the end, but overall a bit slight.

Vosne-Romanée, Les Malconsorts, Domaine du Clos Frantin18.0From 2018

Quite soft, but ripe and succulent. Balanced and classy. Not a huge wine, but lots of depth. Still a bit austere at the end. Good energy. Fine plus.

Vosne-Romanée, Les Malconsorts, Domaine Alain Hudelot-Noëllat 18.0 From 2022

Fullish colour. Fine, classy, quite rich, quite accessible nose. Lots of nuance. Not a blockbuster. Very ripe on the palate. Pure and lovely. Delicate for a Vosne-Romanée. Fullish, harmonious, at present with the acidity showing a little. But very long. Fine plus.

Vosne-Romanée, Les Malconsorts, Domaine Lamarche 18.0From 2018

Medium-full colour. Slightly closed in but very classy and well-balanced on the nose. Fullish body. Backward. Ripe and rich and energetic. Classy too. Fine finish.

Vosne-Romanée, Les Malconsorts, Domaine de Montille17.5From 2019

This is very elegant. Lovely fruit. Rich and succulent. Balanced and profound. Fullish body. Fine.

Vosne-Romanée, Les Petits Monts, Domaine du Vicomte Liger-Belair18.0From 2019

Medium-full colour. Elegant, balanced nose. Slightly closed in. Fullish body. Harmonious. Profound. Complex. Classy. Very long finish. Very good energy. Fine plus.

Vosne-Romanée, Les Petits Monts, Maison Roche de Bellene17.5 From 2018

Medium-full colour. Good depth, concentration and class here on the nose. Medium-full body. Ripe and balanced, with good depth and concentration. Good intensity and finesse. Fine fruit on the finish.

Vosne-Romanée, Aux Reignots, Domaine du Vicomte Liger-Belair 16.0 From 2018

Medium-full colour. Some development.Rich, full meaty nose. There is fat here, but also a little reduction. Medium-full body. Good acidity. A touch raw and astringent at presnt. But it needs time.

Vosne-Romanée, Les Suchots, Domaine Alain Hudelot-Noëllat18.5From 2018

Medium colour. Some develoment. Lovely ripe fruit on the nose. Medium-full body. Balanced. Classy and intense. Lovely finish. Very long. Very fine.

Vosne-Romanée, Les Suchots, Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux 16.0 From 2017

Fullish colour. Rich, compsed, concentrated nose. Lots of depth here. Fullish body. Almost over ripe. Good depth and concentration but it lacks a little grip. Finishes sweet but slightly bland.

Vosne-Romanée, Les Suchots, Domaine Grivot17.0From 2018

Medium to medium-full colour. Some development. A bit of reduction at first on the nose. Fullish body. Good concentration. Good grip and good tannins. Very ripe. Almost voluptuous. Long. Very good indeed.

Vosne-Romanée, Les Suchots, Domaine Vicomte de Liger-Belair18.0From 2018

Medium-fullcolour. Rich and ample on the nose. Ripe. Laid back. Medium-full bodied. Lots of harmony and subtlety. Very long and very classy. Fine plus.

Vosne-Romanée, Les Suchots, Domaine Gerard Mugneret17.5From 2018

Medium to medium-full colour. Somewhat raw on the nose. But ripe and fresh. Fullish body. Some new oak. Concentrated. Plenty of intensity and energy. Lovely finish. This is fine.

Vougeot, Clos de la Perrière, Domaine Bertagna 14.0 From 2016

Medium to medium-full colour. Ripe nose, but a little feeble and even hollow, which makes it show an astringent touch. Medium body. Lacks a bit of fruit. Only quite good.

Chambolle-Musigny, Premier Cru, Cuvée Jules, Domaine Lignier-Michelot18.0From 2018

Medium to medium-full colour. Some develoment. Round, ripe, balanced, stylish nose. Lovely laid back fruit. Fullish body. Concentrated. Complex. Intense and long on the palte. Excellent grip and energy. Delicious.

Chambolle-Musigny, Les Amoureuses, Domaine Bertheau 15.0 From 2018

Medium colour. Some maturity. Lovely nose. Ripe, profound and balanced. Good energy. But it's a bit hard on the palate. Medium-full body. There is a lack of generosity.

Chambolle-Musigny, Les Amoureuses, Domaine Robert Groffier17.5From 2025

Medium-full colour. Ripe, slightly spicy, with a touch of oak on the nose. Lovely concentrated fruit. Fullish body. Some tannin. Rich and profound. Very good class, if not great. Finishes well. Fine.

Chambolle-Musigny, Les Amoureuses, Domaine J. Frédéric Mugnier 18.0 From 2020

Medium-full colour. Some maturity. Soft, ripe and fragrant on the nose. Full and rich underneath. Full body. Rich and meaty and oaky on the palate. Lots of energy. Currently it is not quite together, but it will be.

Chambolle-Musigny, Les Amoureuses, Domaine Georges Roumier19.0From 2020

Medium colour. Some maturity. On the nose intense, stylish, finely balanced and profound. Delicate, sweet, fragrant fruit. Lovely depth and harmony. Very fine indeed.

Chambolle-Musigny, Les Amoureuses, Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé 17.0 From 2018

Medium-full colour. Ripe, oaky, intense but a little tough at first on the nose. Quite a chunky wine on the palate. Fullish. Some tannin. The wine is long. But it's a bit solid.

Chambolle-Musigny, Les Beaux Bruns, Domaine Ghislaine Barthod 15.0 From 2018

Medium-full colour. A little pinched on the nose. Rich and minty as it evolved. Fullish body. Very ripe. Meaty for a Chambolle. Good depth, but still youthful. It will get less ungainly as it rounds off.

Chambolle-Musigny, Les Carrières, Domaine Gilbert et Christine Felletig16.5 From 2016

This is the only estate I know who declare this wine. It lies between Feusselottes and Greunchers. Soft and fragrant with lovely elegant fruit. Ripe and succulent. Decent length. Very good plus.

Chambolle-Musigny, Les Charmes, Domaine Ghislaine Barthod17.5From 2017

Fullish colour. Rich, concentrated nose. Ripe, profound and succulent. Very good depth and class. Fullis. Meaty. Fresh and clean. Lovely fruit. Harmonious. Complex and fine.

Chambolle-Musigny, Les Charmes, Domaine Bertheau 16.0 From 2016

Medium colour. Some development. Some stems. Ample, rich and succulent on the nose. Lovely balance. Medium body. Decent grip. But a little sweet. This doesn't really have the energy I'm looking for.

Chambolle-Musigny, Les Charmes, Domaine Hudelot-Noëllat 16.5 From 2016

Fullsh colour. Ample, rich, ripe and fullish on the nose. Plenty of depth and dimension. It doesn't have the grip and concentration of some of the other Charmes, but there is very good fresh fruit, and it is long and classy.

Chambolle-Musigny, Les Charmes, Domaine Michèle et Patrice Rion 17.5 From 2017

Medium to medium-full colour. Some development. High-toned nose. Good fruit. Some stems. But cool and succulent. Medium-full body. Fresh, balanced, classy, ripe and fine quality.

Chambolle-Musigny, La Combe d'Orveau, Domaine Taupenot-Merme 14.0 From 2018

Medium to medium-full colour. Gamey nose. Not exactly stylish. A bit lean and vegetal in the background. Fullish body. Ripe. Good grip. But a bit clumsy and astringent.

Chambolle-Musigny, Les Cras, Domaine Ghislaine Barthod 17.0 From 2018 Medium-full colour. Ripe, classy, high-toned nose. Rich, ripe, ample, fat and very lovely on the attack.

Medium weight. Harmonious and seductive. Perhaps a slight lack of grip.

Chambolle-Musigny, Les Cras, Domaine Georges Roumier18.5From 2019

Fullish colour. Still closed. Rich and concentrated. Fullish body. Lots of depth here. This is really very classy. Lovely.

Chambolle-Musigny, Les Echanges, Maison Roland Remoissenet18.0From 2019

Full colour. Ripe and round, fullish and succulent on the nose. Medium-full body. Very lovely harmonious, profound, classy fruit on the palate. Very pure. Fine plus.

Chambolle-Musigny, Les Feusselottes, Domaine Gilbert et Christine Felletig16.5From 2018

Very gently oaky and succulent on the nose. Medium to medium-full body. Juicy, fresh, balanced and stylish. Long. Very good plus.

Chambolle-Musigny, Les Feusselottes, Domaine Cecile Tremblay14.0From 2015

Fullish colour. Fullish nose. Quite sturdy. Good grip and fruit underneath. Medium-full body. Ripe and sweert. On the palate a little short and a bit coarse at the end. Quite good at best.

Chambolle-Musigny, Les Fuées, Domaine Ghislaine Barthod 17.5 From 2019

Full colour. Full nose. Quite firm. Lots of energy. Fullish on the palate. The tannins are very ripe. This is pure and profound and complex and very lovely, if not as impressive as what turned out to be the Mugnier sample.

Chambolle-Musigny, Les Fuées, Domaine Gilbert et Christine Felletig17.0From 2019

Rich and full, with a little new oak. Good tannins. Ample and energetic. Quite structured. Good positive, stylish finish. Very good indeed.

Chambolle-Musigny, Les Fuées, Domaine J. Frédéric Mugnier18.0From 2020

Medium-full colour. Some development. Still a little closed, but an impressive amount of class and depth and dimension here. Fullish body. Excellent grip. A generous profound wine with a very long finish.

Chambolle-Musigny, Les Groseilles, Domaine Digioia-Royer 17.5 From 2018

Full colour. Round, ripe, oaky and attractive on the nose. Fullish body on the palate. Ample, vigorous and balanced. Plenty of depth and energy. Long. Fine.

Chambolle-Musigny, Les Gruenchers, Domaine Digioia-Royer 16.5From 2018

Fullish colour. High-toned nose. Cool and fragrant. But classy. Medium-full body. The attack is intense and concentrated, showing very lovely fruit, but the finish is a bit sweet.

Morey-Saint-Denis, Premier Cru, Domaine Dujac 16.5 From 2017

Medium-colour. Some development. Stylish fruit. Not a blockbuster. Balanced and accessible. Medium-full body. Good grip and intensity. Classy too. A harmonious wine which finishes well. Very good plus.

Morey-Saint-Denis, Les Blanchards, Domaine Hubert Lignier 16.0 From 2017

Medium-full colour. Fresh and stylish and balanced on the nose. Medium-full weight. Quite forward. Yet with good depth and vigour. Good concentration. Positive at the end. Very good.

Morey-Saint-Denis, Aux Charmes, Domaine Lignier-Michelot 15.5 From 2018

Fullish colour. Ripe nose, the stems evident. Medium to medium-full weight. Good depth and class, but rather unformed and less style than most of these Moreys.

Morey-Saint-Denis, Aux Chezeaux, Domaine Lignier-Michelot16.0From 2018

Medium-full colour. Fresh, flowery, stylish and fragrant on the nose. Medium-full. Ripe, balanced and attractive at first on the palate. But the finish is a little bland.

Morey-Saint-Denis, Le Chenevry, Domaine Lignier-Michelot17.0From 2019

Medium-full colour. Some development. Ripe nose. Some stems. Good vigour. Good grip. Medium to medium-full body. Ripe; even rich. Good intensity.

Morey-Saint-Denis, Clos de la Bussière, Domaine Georges Roumier 17.0 From 2018

Rich and meaty. This wine has got more and more sophisticated over the last decade. Ripe, fullish bodied and succulent. Very good grip. Long and stylish. Very good indeed.

Morey-Saint-Denis, Les Faconnières, Domaine Lignier-Michelot16.0 From 2018

Fullish colour. Rich and oaky on the nose. Similar on the palate. Ripe. Fullish. Good energy. Rich and succulent. Good depth. Good grip. Very good quality;

Morey-Saint-Denis, Les Millandes, Domaine Christian Serafin 16.0From 2018

Medium-full colour. Rich, ripe, meaty and tannic on the nose. A touch sweet on the palate. A beefy wine with a good grip and a long, lingering finish. Very good.

Morey-Saint-Denis, La Riotte, Domaine Olivier Jouan 16.5 From 2018

Fullish colour. Rich and oaky on the nose. But a bit closed in. On the palate fullish body. Lots of fruit. Very ripe and very good grip. A touch astringent at the end, but I think this is just a stage in the wines' development. Very good plus.

Morey-Saint-Denis, La Riotte, Domaine Taupenot-Merme15.5From 2017

Medium-full colour. Some fruit on the nose, if without a great deal of finesse. A tough sweaty. Medium-full body. Slightly raw and the acidity is a bit aggressive. A meaty example, but I think it will get better as it rounds off.

Morey-Saint-Denis, Les Ruchots, Domaine Olivier Jouan17.5From 2018

Full colour. Rich, oaky, fat and succulent on the nose. Good grip. Fullish body. Vigorous. Quite concentrated. Ripe and positive. Very good follow through. Fine.

Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Cazetiers, Maison Olivier Bernstein. 17.5 From 2018

Medium-full colour. High-toned nose. Full body. Rich. Concentrated. Oaky. A very complex and abundant follow through. The amount of oak puts me off rather, but the wine is fine.

Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Cazetiers, Domaine Bruno Clair18.5From 2018

Full colour. Rich, concentrated and profound. Full body. Very good tannins. Excellent depth and grip This is vigorous, long, complex and very fine.

Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Cazetiers, Domaine Christian Serafin 17.5 From 2018

Medium to medium-full colour. Supple, stylish nose. Good fruit and class here. Fulish body. Very good grip. Quite concentrated. Lots of fruit and vigour. Long and positive and complex. Very elegant. Fine.

Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Cazetiers, Domaine Faiveley17.5From 2019

Medium to medium-full body. Some tannin. Still a bit closed. Better at the end than on the attack. Ripe, balanced, stylish, good depth. Fine.

Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Cazetiers, Domaine Armand Rousseau 16.5From 2017

Medium-full colour. A bit reduced on the nose. Fullish body. Ample. Fresh and fruity on the palate. Nicely pure and concentrated fruit on the follow through. And good concentration.

Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Champeaux, Domaine Denis Mortet17.5 From 2019

Fullish colour. Stylish, balanced, civilised nose. Fullish bodied, quite oaky, rich and concentrated. Lots of fruit. Very good grip. Some tannin. But lots of depth. Fine.

Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Cherbaudes, Domaine Louis Boillot16.0 From 2016

Medium to medium-full colour. Elegant, fruity, balanced nose. Medium to medium-full weight. Good fruit and grip. Quite stylish. Positive at the end, with a persistent finish. Very good.

Gevrey-Chambertin, Clos du Fonteny, Domaine Bruno Clair 15.0From 2016

Fullish colour. Ripe, rich and concentrated on the nose. Very ripe on the palate. Voluptuous, even. Full and tannic on the palate. Good acidity underneath but the net effect is a little bland. It lacks bite.

Gevrey-Chambertin, Clos Prieur, Domaine Rossignol-Trapet14.0 From 2016

Medium-full colour. Somewhat lightweight nose. But quite stylish and fruity. Medium weight. Lacks a little fruit and generosity. Quite high acidity. Slightly astringent at the end.

Gevrey-Chambertin, Clos Prieur, Domaine Jean et Jean-Louis Trapet 13.5 From 2015

Medium to medium-full colour. Lacks a bit of fruit on the nose. Light to medium weight. Somewhat unripe and charmless.

Gevrey-Chambertin, Clos Saint-Jacques, Domaine Bruno Clair18.5From 2018

Lush and opulent on the nose, especially for a 2008. Rich, ripe and seductive. Very lovely stylish, complex finish. Very fine.

Gevrey-Chambertin, Clos Saint-Jacques, Domaine Sylvie Esmonin18.5From 2018

Medium-full colour. Quite closed and concentrated on the nose. Full bodied. Rich. Abundant and some tannin on the palate. A backward wine. But a great deal of depth here Very fine.

Gevrey-Chambertin, Clos Saint-Jacques, Domaine Louis Jadot19.0 From 2020

Medium to medium-full colour. Lots of depth and dimension on the nose here. Fullish body. Rich. Oaky. Not a blockbuster but great intensity, splendid fruit and impressive class. A beauty.

Gevrey-Chambertin, Clos Saint-Jacques, Domaine Armand Rousseau18.5 From 2018

An impressive wine. Fullish body. Rich, classy and concentrated. Very lovely fruit. Lots of depth. Very very long and lovely.

Gevrey-Chambertin, Le Closeau, Domaine Drouhin-Laroze14.0From 2016

Light, evolved colour. Soft nose. Some stems. Ripe. Medium-full body. A little astringent. Somewhat ungainly. Yet there is substance here.

Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Combottes, Domaine Arlaud14.0From 2015

Medium-full colour. Some reduction on the nose. Medium weight. Decently balanced fruit. But difficult to judge.

Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Corbeaux, Domaine Denis Bachelet16.5 From 2019

Medium-full colour. Rich nose. Balanced and elegant. Fullish. Backward. Very good grip. The follow through is profound and complex. Quite tannic though. Very good plus.

Gevrey-Chambertin, Le Crapillot, Domaine Humbert Frères16.0 From 2017

Medium-full colour. Quite full and rich on the nose. Good style and depth. Fullish body. Good concentration. Good grip. Somewhat raw at present but there is good potential here.

Gevrey-Chambertin, Estournelles-Saint-Jacques, Domaine Humbert Frères 15.0From 2017

Medium-full colour. Backward nose. Just a little pinched. Better on the palate. A bit astingent, but ripe and with good grip. Not exactly rich but a good wine.

Gevrey-Chambertin, Le Fonteny, Domaine Christian Serafin17.0 From 2018

Medium-full colour. Quite closed on the nose at first. But good fruit and concentration. Full bodied, rich, and masculine. Good tannins. A backward wine, but very good indeed. Elegant and positive all the way through.

Gevrey-Chambertin, Lavaux-Saint-Jacques, Domaine Drouhin-Laroze 13.5From 2015

Light to medium colour. Slightly raw and charmless on the nose. Medium weight. Somewhat thin, astringent and attenuated.

Gevrey-Chambertin, Lavaux-Saint-Jacques, Domaine Claude Dugat 17.5From 2019

Full colour. Backward nose, but plenty of depth and concentration here. Oaky. Fullish. The tannins are nice and ripe. Good grip. Round and splendidly vigorous at the end. Fine.

Gevrey-Chambertin, Lavaux-Saint-Jacques, Domaine Maume16.5 From 2018

Medium-full colour. Some development. Quite closed on the nose. A bit dense, even. On the palate more accessible. Medium-full body. Balanced, stylish. Long. Elegant. Very good plus.

Gevrey-Chambertin, Lavaux-Saint-Jacques, Domaine Denis Mortet?17.0From 2018

Full colour. Ample nose, rich and oaky. But somewhat corked. Medium-full body. There is richness, balance and depth here. Could be very good indeed.

Gevrey-Chambertin, Lavaux-Saint-Jacques, Domaine Armand Rousseau 16.5From 2017

Medium colour. Some development. Ripe, plump nose. Good style. Good fruit. Medium-full body. Harmonious. Good energy. Attractive plump fruit. Finishes well.

Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Perrières, Domaine Hubert Lignier 15.0From 2016

Medium to medium-full colour. Some development. Slightly earthy and tannic on the nose. Medium-full weight. Fresh and fruity. Balalnced. Quite stylish. Finishes positively.

Gebrey-Chambertin, La Petite Chapelle, Domaine Humbert Frères15.5 From 2016

Fullish colur. Rich, ample, fruity, oaky nose. Medium to medium-full body. Good grip. Good depth. Will get more attractive as it rounds off.

Gevrey-Chambertin, La Petite Chapelle, Domaine Rossignol-Trapet14.0 From 2015

Medium-full colour. Somewhat pinched and attenuated on the nose. Medium weight. Decent fruit. But a lack of personality and richness.

Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Poissenots, Domaine Humbert Frères 16.0From 2016

Medium to medium-full colour. Ripe, accessible, medium weight, fruity-oaky nose. Good style. Medium body. Fresh. Balanced and stylish. Not a blockbuster by any means but positive and attractive.

GRAND CRUS

Corton, Domaine Bonneau du Martray 18.5From 2018

Good colour. Rich nose. Quite meaty. Good fat and succulence. This has depth and class. Harmonious and very lovely. Long at the end. Very fine.

Corton, Domaine Follin-Arvelet17.5 From 2017

Medium colour. Good depth and class on the nose. Some development. Balanced aand fruity. Fullish body. An ample wine. Good grip. Plenty of potential for the future. Ripe and positive and more and more classy as it developed.

Le Corton, Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils 17.0From 2017

Medium to medium-full colour. Quite firm and rich on the nose. Good finesse. Fullish body. Ripe and succulent. Good tannins. Good grip. Plenty of energy. Long and classy at first but somewhat less so as it developed.

Corton, Les Bressandes, Domaine Chandon de Briailles15.0 From 2016

This seems rather dry, feeble and astringent for a grand cru. We'll see.

Corton, Les Bressandes, Domaine du Comte Senard 15.0 From 2016

Medium to medium-full body. Ripe and quite fresh. But a bit lightweight. Not short though.

Corton, Les Bressandes, Domaine Follin-Arvelet 17.5 From 2017

Medium to medium-full colour. Some development. Quite closed on the nose. Rich and full but with a lack of real succulence. Ample. Fullish body. Plenty of fruit and ricness as it opened up in the glass. Long and classy.

Corton, Les Bressandes, Domaine de la Pousse d'Or15.5 From 2017

Medium-full colour. A touch of oak and caramel on the nose. Rich and abundant. Medium-full weight. Good fruit. The grip is quite good, but there is something a bit raw and tight here.

Corton, Les Bressandes, Domaine Tollot-Beaut16.0From 2018

Medium-full body. Ripe and fresh. Ample and fruity if not quite the elegance and intensity it could have.

Corton, Clos des Cortons, Domaine Faiveley 18.0From 2022

Rich, concentrated, closed in, but fine quality here. A backward wine which is still quite austere. Big and tannic. Just needs time.

Corton, Clos des Maréchaudes, Domaine du Pavillon 17.5From 2018

Here we have the richness and volume missing in the Aloxe. Very good grip. Long classy finish. Fine.

Corton, Clos des Meix, Domaine du Comte Senard15.0 From 2016

Medium to medium full body. Elegant and balanced. Ripe and not astringent, but a little slight.

Corton, Clos du Roi, Maison, Camille Giroud 18.0From 2018

Medium-full colour. Opulent, balanced, cool, classy nose. Rich and full bodied. Abundant, oaky and energetic. There is a lot of depth here. Splendid follow through and finish. Fine plus.

Corton, Clos du Roi, Domaine de Montille 18.0From 2020

Quite closed in at present. Fullish body. Very good tannins. Quite austere at present but very good depth. Long and potentially lovely.

Corton, Clos du Roi, Domaine du Comte Senard17.5From 2017

This is a lot better than the other two Senard wines. Medium-full body. Ripe, rich and fruity. Good positive finish. Stylish too.

Corton, Clos du Roi, Domaine de la Pousse d'Or 17.5 From 2018

Fullish colour. Full, firm, rich nose. Lots of complexity and concentration. Fresh and vigorous. Fullish body. Ripe, rich and good tannins. Lots of depth at the end. Fine

Corton, Clos du Roi, Domaine de la Vougeraie18.0From 2018

Medium-full colour. Some development. Closed in nose, but stylish fruit and very good balance. Fat, rich, oaky and vigorous. Fine fruit and lots of depth. Fine plus.

Corton, Les Maréchaudes, Domaine Chandon de Briailles 17.5From 2017

Medium-full body. Rich, fat. Good energy and depth. Classy too. Lovely finish. Fine.

Corton, Les Pougets, Domaine Louis Jadot17.5From 2019

Medium-full colour. A little development. Ample, full and rich on the nose. Fullish body. Fragrant. Oaky. And concentrated on the palate. Very good grip. Good depth and vigour. Fine.

Corton, Les Renardes, Domaine Michel Gaunoux 17.5 From 2018

Medium-full body. Classy. Ripe. Balanced. Lovely freshness. Good tannins. Fine.

Corton, Les Renardes, Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair 16.5From 2017

Medium-full colour. A slight touch of reduction on the nose. But good classy fruit underneath. Medium-full body. Quite rich. Good energy. This has depth and class. Very good plus, but not as fine as some of the others.

Corton, Les Rognets, Maison Camille Giroud17.5 From 2017

Fullish colour. Firm, rich, concentrated, classy nose. Fullish body. Succulent. Lots of energy. Very good grip. Lovely fruit. Still youthful. High class.

Corton, Les Rognets, Domaine Taupenot-Merme14.5 From 2015

Medium-full colour. A little pinched and attenuated on the nose. Lacks charm. The attack is rather better but the follow through is less agreeable. Slightly astringent at the end.

Echézeaux, Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux18.0 From 2019

Full colour. Ripe, opulent and quite substantial on the nose. Rich, pure, fragrant and quite austere. Very good grip. Full body. Some tannin. A bit closed at present but profound and high class. Lovely finish. Fine plus.

Echézeaux, Domaine Joseph Drouhin17.5 From 2019

Medium-full colour. Lovely fragrant nose. Fullish body. Rich, ripe, stylish and aromatic. Lots of energy. Complex and classy. Fine.

Echézeaux, Domaine Eugenie 17.5From 2018

Medium-full colour. Round and ripe and quite rich and concentrated on the nose. Medium-full body. Oaky. Very ripe, round, luscious fruit. Very good attack. Plenty of length. Balanced and energetic. Fine.

Echézeaux, Domaine Gilbert et Christine Felletig17.0 From 2016

Rich, high-toned nose. Medium-full body. A bit closed. Ripe, sqtylish and succulent. Not a big wine, but it has charm.

Echézeaux, Domaine du Clos Frantin 18.0From 2019

Soft, ripe and generous on the nose. Fullish body. Rich. Very well-balanced. Intense, classy and long on the palate. Lots of dimension. This is most impressive.

Echézeaux, Domaine Grivot 16.0 From 2017

Medium-full colour. Somewhat herbal, though not green on the nose. Cool and balanced. Medium to medium-full weight. Good grip. But a lack of real style and richness.

Echézeaux, 'Loachausses', Domaine Anne Gros 18.0 From 2019

Medium-full colour. Closed in nose. Fullish body. This is a bit hidden but there is a lot of depth and quality here. Very pure fruit. Finely balanced. Long, rich and succulent at the end.

Echézeaux, Domaine A.F. Gros 17.5 From 2019

Medium-full colour. Ripe, rich, fresh and classy on the nose. Medium-full body. Good grip. This is profound and harmonious. Ripe and complex. Stylish follow through. Fine.

Echézeaux, Domaine Gros Frère et Soeur 18.0 From 2019

Medium-full colour. Spicy, oaky nose. A slight hint of gingerbread. Nice austerity here on the palate. Fullish body. Very luscious ripe fruit. Lots of class and energy. Fine plus.

Echézeaux, Domaine Lamarche17.5From 2017

Medium-full colour. Ripe, voluptuous, gamey nose. A touch of oak. Medium-full weight. Plump and plummy. Fresh and attractive. Balanced. Finishes long. Not great but fine.

Echézeaux, Domaine du Vicomte Liger-Belair 16.0 From 2017

Medium-full colur. Fresh, ripe stylish nose. But less impressive as it developed. There is a sort of farmyardy reduction here. Good energy though. Perhaps just going through a phase.

Echézeaux, Domaine Gerard Mugneret 18.0 From 2018

Medium to medium-full colour. Full, firm, rich nose. Good class. Good depth. Fullish body. Ripe and harmonious. Lovely fruit. Fine plus.

Echézeaux, Domaine Dr. Georges Mugneret-Gibourg 16.0 From 2017

Fullish colour. Full, firm, tannic nose. Backward but classic. Fullish body. Ripe; A touch clumsy at present. But there is good fruit here. Should turn out better than the mark I have given it.

Echézeaux, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti 18.0 From 2018

Good colour and good weight on the nose. Good richness and style too. Medium to medium-full body. Quite a lot better than the Vosne-Romanée premier cru. Intense and succulent. Lovely fresh acidity and very elegant.

Echézeaux, Domaine du Perdrix 15.0From 2015

Fullish colour. High-toned nose. Somewhat ungainly. Fruity but seems a little short. The fruit is a bit artificial. Here's another Echézeaux which is not on form.

Echézeaux, Domaine Rouget18.5From 2019

Medium-full colour. Laid-back, classy nose. Profound. Fullish body. Very classy. Multi-dimensioal. Excellent fruit and lovely harmony. Splendid vigour at the end. Very fine.

Grands Echézeaux, Domaine Drouhin18.0From 2020

Medium-full colour. Splendid nose. Super-concentrated. Great depth and class. Full body. Vigorous, profound and very harmonious. Intense and lovely. Fine plus.

Grands Echézeaux, Domaine du Clos Frantin 17.5 From 2018

A more mineral wine – slightly more austere – than the Echézeaux. Very pure. Somewhat more astringent and less fat at the moment. Cool and classy underneath. Medium-full body. But is it better?

Grands Echézeaux, Domaine Gros Frère et Soeur 17.5From 2019

Medium to medium-full colour. Some development. Attractive spicy, fruit-cakey nose. Round and ripe. Quite firm. Good vigour. Fullish body. Plenty of volume. Good grip and good tannins. Lots of energy. Needs time.Perhaps not the class of the very best.

Grands Echézeaux, Domaine Lamarche 17.0 From 2018

Medium to medium-full colour. Firm nose. Slightly austere. Good depth and class. Harmonious and promising. Fullish body. Rich and concentrated. Not quite the finesse of the very best, but very good indeed.

Grands Echézeaux, Maison Roche de Bellene17.5From 2018

Medium-full colour. Rich, full, concentrated, backward nose. Fullish, ripe and high quality. On the palate this is rather closed and unforthcoming, but the ingredients are there. Fullish body. Long. Fine.

Grands Echézeaux, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti18.5From 2019

Good colour. Firmer and spicier than the Echézeaux and slightly more weight. Both more closed and more concentrated. The tannins show a bit more. Lots of depth and a fine finish. This needs time.

Clos de Vougeot, Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux18.5From 2018

Medium-full colour. Round and ripe but rather hidden at first on the nose. Ample, succulent, full bodied, ripe, rich, and even exotic on the palate. Good tannins. Very good grip. This is most impressive.

Clos de Vougeot, Maison Olivier Bernstein17.5From 2017

Medium-full colour. Lightweight nose. Pretty fruit. But understated. Medium-full body. Balanced. Stylish. Ripe and with good cool intensity. Fine.

Clos de Vougeot, Bouchard Père et Fils 18.0 From 2017

Medium colour. Ripe, rich, ample and oaky on the nose. Attractive, fullish body, balanced. Good ripe tannins. Plenty of energy. Good style too. Fine plus.

Clod de Vougeot, Domaine Eugenie17.5From 2017

Medium-full colour. Quite closed at first but fine fragrant flowers (violets) and fruit on the nose. Good high tones. Good acidity. Medium-full body. Rich and very ripe. Lots of energy. Fine.

Clos de Vougeot, Domaine du Clos Frantin 17.0 From 2017

Ripe, generous, spicy and seductive. Medium to medium-full body. Balanced and fresh and not austere.

Clos de Vougeot, Domaine Grivot 18.5 From 2020 Good colour. Still a bit closed in on the nose. Good weight here and lots of energy. Rich, fullish body. Very good tannins. Balanced and vigorous and classy. Lovely finish.

Clos de Vougeot, 'Maupertuis', Domaine Anne Gros 19.0 From 2025

Fullish colour. Still closed on the nose. Very, very concentrated. Excellent depth. Very splendid fruit. Full body. Great style. Very profound. Lovely finish. Excellent.

Clos de Vougeot, Domaine Michel Gros 17.5 From 2017

Medium colour. Some development. Ripe, abundant, soft, oaky nose. Medium-full body. A luscious wine. Good acidity. The attack is plump. The finish shows the grip. Fine.

Clos de Vougeot, 'Le Musigni', Domaine Gros Frère et Soeur15.0From 2017

Medium full colour. Some development. Rich coffee-chocolate nose. Good balance and good grip. Medium-full body. A little burly and ungainly on the attack. Good acidity. But overall it doesn't really sing.

Clos de Vougeot, Domaine Alain Hudelot-Noëllat17.5From 2017

Medium to medium-full colour. Fresh, fragrant nose. Good balance. Currently a little rigid and closed on the palate. Medium-full body. But good depth and richness underneath.

Clos de Vougeot, Domaine Louis Jadot 16.0 From 2017

Medium-full colour. Firm nose. Backward. Fresh. Youthful. Intense. Slightly aggressive on the attack. Fullish body. Ripe but a bit lumpy. Good grip. But a little ungainly at present.

Clos de Vougeot, Domaine Lamarche 17.5 From 2018

Medium-full body. Plenty of depth and volume here without being aggressive. Nice and rich backward. Full bodied. Lots of grip. Some tannin. Still very young. Needs time. Promising finish. Fine.

Clos de Vougeot, Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair18.0 From 2018

Medum-full colour. Ripe, quire firm, youthful nose. No lack of depth here. But a little ungainly at present. On the palate the wine is full bodied. Rich, ripe, and has some tannin. Plenty of depth and class. Needs time but impressive pure fruit at the end.

Clos de Vougeot, Domaine Loichet?16.0 From 2017

Full colour. Some reduction on the nose. Fullish body on the palate. Seems rich and balanced. Full body. Spicy and abundant. But difficult to judge.

Clos de Vougeot, Domaine Méo-Camuzet 16.0 From 2016

Slight astringency here on the attack. The finish is better but the wine seems rather insubstantial.

Clos de Vougeot, Domaine Remoissenet19.0From 2018

Medium-full colour. Firm, full, very classy nose. Lovely fruit and very fine balance. This is continued on the palate. Fullish body. Splendid intensity. Cool and laid back. Marvelous finish.

Clos de Vougeot, Maison Roche de Bellene 17.0 From 2017

Fullish colour. Ample, full, rich nose. Quite fat. Still closed. Lots of depth. Full body. At first I found it a little tough and I wondered about the level of acidity. But as is evolved I was sure there was enough grip. Nice abundant fruit underneath.

Clos de Vougeot, Château de la Tour 17.5 From 2019

Good colour. This is quite a meaty example. Fullish body. Good depth. Good tannic structure. Plenty of wine here. Fine.

Clos de Vougeot, Vieilles Vignes, Château de la Tour18.5 From 2022

This is delicious. Full, rich and concentrated. Lots of vigour and depth. Very lovely long finish. Very fine.

Clos de Vougeot, Domaine de la Vougeraie 13.5 From 2015

Medium colour. Some development. A little weedy on the nose and there are notes of reduction here, especially as it evolved in the glass. Medium body. Fruity but lacks class.

Romanée-Saint-Vivant, Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux19.0 From 2019

Medium-full colour. Some development. Ample, slightly gingerbread-spicy nose. Fullish body. Good depth and vigour. A bit closed but not at all clumsy. Ripe, youthful and very classy.

Romanée-Saint-Vivant, Domaine Follin-Arvelet 18.5 From 2019

Medium colour. Some development. Rich, ripe, fresh, high quality nose. Fullish body. Very good depth. Lovely ripe fruit. Lots of energy. Pure, concentrated, vigorous and classy. Lovely finish.

Romanée-Saint-Vivant, Domaine Alain Hudelot-Noëllat 18.5 From 2019

Medium-full colour. Full, youthful, austere – in the best sense – on the nose. Fresh and complex. Medium-full body. Balanced and classy. Good intensity on the follow through. Very fine.

Romanée-Saint-Vivant, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti 18.5 From 2018

Lovely fragrant nose, but lighter than the Grands Echézeaux. Softer but very stylish. This has particularly lovely cool, composed fruit. Fresh, long, complex and classy. Very fine.

Richebourg, Domaine du Clos Frantin 19.0 From 2020

Fine colour. Full nose. Still closed. Rich and concentrated and with lots of breed. Full body. Splendid balance. A profound, multi-dimensional wine with lovely harmony and class. Excellent

Richebourg, Domaine Grivot 18.5 From 2020

Medium to medium-full colour. Classy and concentrated on the nose. Very lovely fruit. Harmonious and laid back. Not a blockbuster but fullish bodied, ripe, vigorous and concentrated on the palate. Lots of finesse here. Very fine.

Richebourg, Domaine Anne Gros 18.5 From 2020

Medium to medium-full colour. Some development. High-toned nose. Vigorous. Still closed. On the palate fullish body. Still very youthful. Abundantly fruity. Ripe, fragrant, subtle and seductive. Very classy at the end and improved considerably in the glass.

Richebourg, Domaine A.F. Gros 20.0 From 2020

Fullish colour. High-toned, oaky nose. Youthful. Good energy. Very harmonious. Splendid ripe fruit. Full body. Fine tannins. Really classy, concentrated fruit. And a very lovely long finish. Excellent.

Richebourg, Domaine Gros Frère et Soeur19.0 From 2020

Medium-full colour. Rich. Somewhat biscuit-spicy on the nose. Lots of depth and interest. This is very, very lovely. Full bodied, rich and concentrated. Lots of vigour. Lots of depth. Harmonious; backward and mouth-filling.

Richebourg, Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair17.0 From 2019

Medium to medium-full colour. Some development. A little reduced and sweaty on the nose. Ripe and ample underneath. Fullish body. Meaty. Balanced but not exactly classy at present. Give it time.

Richebourg, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti 18.5 From 2022

A big, tannic, quite aggressive example. The stems show more here than in the other DRC wines. Rich, fat, full bodied and generous, but rather ungainly at present.

La Grande Rue, Domaine Lamarche 18.0 From 2019

Medium-full colour. Just a little four-square on the nose. Good volume. Very good fruit. Fullish body. Rich. Even slightly solid at present. Plenty of depth and energy. Fine plus.

La Tache, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti19.5 From 2022

Full colour. Splendidly opulent nose. Rich and succulent. Very good tannins. Rather more integrated and sophisticated than the Richebourg. Very lovely fruit, and very finely balanced. A slight touch of mint at the end. Very long. Very fine indeed.

La Romanée, Domaine du Vicomte Liger-Belair18.5 From 2019

Medium to medium-full colour. Some development. Fullish, rich, yet essentially delicate. Medium-full body. Balanced and abundantly fruity. It is a bit difficult to see quite how classy this is as there is some reduction here. Very fine at least.

La Romanée-Conti, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti20.0 From 2020

Good colour. Very fragrant, intense, delicate but classy nose. Creamy-rich. Very fine tannins. Lots of concentration here. Heaps of finesse. Brilliant.

Musigny, Domaine Joesph Drouhin18.5 From 2020

Medium-full colour. Still a bit closed on the nose. Ripe and sweet. But really quite delicate. Lovely fragrance. Long, complex and very classy. But is it intense enough?

Musigny, Domaine J. Frédéric Mugnier 20.0 From 2020

Good colour. Very lovely nose. Rich and concentrated, laid-back and very, very classy and intense. Marvelous purity, dimension and vigour on the palate. A great wine.

Musigny, Domaine de la Vougeraie 19.5 From 2020

Medium to mediu-full colour. Ripe, full, fat vigorous nose. Lots of depth. Soft, sweet, gentle yet very intense on the palate. Marvelous classy fruit. Lots and lots of dimension. Quite delicious.

Musigny, Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé 20.0 From 2022

Medium-full colour. Lovely complex, fragrant nose. Very fine attack with a follow-through that is profound, energetic and multi-dimensional. Fullish body. Abundant fruit. Excellent harmony. This is quite special.

Bonnes Mares, Maison Olivier Bernstein 18.0 From 2019

Full colour. Rich, ample fruit on the nose. Succulent and lovely. Fullish body. Quite firm. Ripe, classy, profound and complex. Very fine.

Bonnes Mares, Domaine Bertheau 17.0 From 2019

Fullish colour. Ample, lush and succulent. But poised, elegant and classy. Fullish body; quite firm, good grip. Needs time but the elements are here. Very good indeed but not fine.

Bonnes Mares, Domaine Bruno Clair 19.0 From 2019

Very full colour. At first a bit inflexible, if not tough on the nose. But lots of richness and succulence in the background. Splendidly fat and lush and concentrated. Excellent class and grip. This is very special.

Bonnes Mares, Domaine Drouhin-Laroze 17.0 From 2018

Medium to medium-full colour. Clean, pure nose. Good style if no real substance. Medium body. Ripe and soft. Sweet and balanced. But a slight lack of volume and energy. Elegant at the end though.

Bonnes-Mares, Maison Benjamin Leroux 15.0 From 2017

Fullish colour. Not exactly clean on the nose. There seems to be a whiff of chlorine here. Better as it evolved. Good acidity and ripeness. But it lacks a bit of grip, and there is some astringency here.

Bonnes Mares, Domaine Georges Roumier 19.5 From 2022

Full colour. Rich and concentrated on the nose. This is a really profound wine. Full bodied. Backward. Very distinguished. Brilliant.

Bonnes Mares, Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé 16.5 From 2017

Medium to medium-full body. Some development. Rich, ripe, firm, oaky nose. Medium body. An attractive and well-balanced wine, even classy, if you don't mind so much oak. But there is a lack of energy and bite at the end.

Bonnes Mares, Domaine de la Vougeraie 18.5 From 2019

Fullish colour. At first a bit rude and ungainly on the nose. But that's just the stems. Ripe and balanced underneath. Fullish, closed in. Cool. Lots of depth and energy, but still quite young. Quite a lot of power here. This I like. Very fine.

Clos des Lambrays, Domaine des Lambrays 17.5 From 2020

Medium-full colour. Lots of depth here. A bit adolescent. Medium-full body. Not showing well. There is a touch of astringency. Behind there is a medium-full bodied wine with very promising intensity and very classy fruit. Fine (plus). (Seen twice: identical comment.)

Clos Saint-Denis, Domaine Dujac 18.0 From 2020

Fullish colour. Exotic, intense, and some stems on the nose. Lovely balancing acidity. Medium-full body. Very ripe tannins. Excellent fruit. Pure, intense, long, complex and delicious. Fine plus.

Clos de la Roche, Domaine Arlaud 15.5 From 2016

Medium to medium-full colour. Some development. A little reduced on the nose. Fullish body. Ripe. Ample. Slight touch on the stems. A bit ungainly at present but certainly good plus at the very least.

Clos de la Roche, Domaine du Clos Frantin18.5 From 2018

Medium-full colour. Good depth and vigour here. Ripe and balanced and classy. Fullish body. Ample and profound. Very good grip. Backward. Very fine.

Clos de la Roche, Domaine Dujac16.5From 2016

Medium to medium-full colour. Fresh, ripe and fruity on the nose. Medium to medium-full body. A wine of charm, but somewhat deficient in vigour and backbone.

Clos de la Roche, Domaine Louis Jadot 18.0 From 2020

Full colour. Lovely plumy nose. Cool and concentrated. Medium-full body. Intense, vigorous, medium-full bodied and splendidly classy. Fine plus.

Clos de la Roche, Domaine Lignier-Michelot 16.0 From 2018

Fullish colour. Full, ample, ripe and rich on the nose. Quite evelved. Medium-full body. The fruit is almost sweet and the finish a bit tarty and astringent. But very good.

Clos de la Roche, Vieille Vignes, Domaine Ponsot 19.0 From 2020

Full colour. Very complex, classy, multi-dimensional nose. Great concentration and intensity. Splendid depth and class. Brilliant fruit. Very lovely.

Clos de la Roche, Domaine Louis Rémy 17.5 From 2018

Full colour. Rich, concentrated, profound nose. Lots of dimension. Lots of energy. Medium-full body. Ripe, ample, balanced and stylish. Perhaps just a little too straightforward for very fine.

Clos de Tart, Domaine Mommessin 18.0 From 2020

Full colour. Full, very concentrated, very complex, fat and vigorous on the nose. Good energy on the palate. Full body, ripe, almost sweet. Balanced. Could it have done with a bit more class?

Chapelle-Chambertin, Domaine Louis Jadot 18.0 From 2018

Medium-full colour. Ripe, abundant, high-toned, classy nose. Medium-full body. Ample, oaky attack. Good grip. Fresh at the end. Long. Fine plus.

Chapelle-Chambertin, Domaine Perrot-Minot18.5 From 2019

Fullish colour. Rich, full, abundant nose. Still a bit closed. Fullish body. A lot of energy here. Profound. Still a bit hidden. But very fine.

Chapelle-Chambertin, Domaine Rossignol-Trapet 17.5 From 2018

Fullish colour. Abundant, rich, vigorous nose. Fullish body. Rich. Succulent and very ripe. The finish is fine. Closed in and concentrated.

Chapelle-Chambertin, Domaine Jean et Jean-Louis Trapet 17.5 From 2018

Good colour. Clean, mineral nose. Very stylish. Medium-full body. Lots of depth. Harmonious and full of fruit. Fine.

Chapelle-Chambertin, Domaine Cécile Tremblay 15.5 From 2016

Fullish colour. Full, oaky, somewhat earthy, gamey nose. Plenty of depth. Medium to medium-full body. Lacks a little grip. An attractive example but slightly bland.

Charmes-Chambertin, Mazoyères, Domaine de la Vougeraie17.5From 2017

Medium colour. Soft and fruity on the nose. Not aggressive. Medium-full body. Good grip. Fresh and stylish. Quite complex. Fragrant. Long. Fine.

Charmes-Chambertin, Domaine Arlaud14.0 From 2016

Medium colour. Slight touch on reduction on the nose. On the palate fullish body. The attack is quite fruity and stylish, but there is also some astringency, and the follow through is less distinguished. (Note: others liked this more than I did. Indeed by some way it was voted the best of the Charmes.

Charmes-Chambertin, Domaine Denis Bachelet17.5 From 2019

Medium-full colour. Some substance here on the nose. But a backward wine which is rather closed in at present. Fullish weight. Fresh. Ample. Balanced and abundant. Very well-balanced, vigorous fruit. Tannic yet not a bit too dense. Fine at the very least.

Charmes-Chambertin, Maison Henri Boillot16.0 From 2016

Medium to medium-full colour. Ripe and oaky on the nose. Not a blockbuster. Medium weight. Attractive, fresh, juicy wine. Balanced, stylish and long.

Charmes-Chambertin, Domaine Claude Dugat 16.0 From 2016

Medium to medium-full colour. Gentle oaky nose. Soft and forward. Medium weight. Fresh and fruity. Not a blockbuster but neat and balanced and positive.

Charmes-Chambertin, Maison Camille Giroud 15.0 From 2016

Medium-full colour. Good high-toned fruit on the nose. Medium body. Only of medium interest on the palate. Fresh and fruity.ripe and decently balanced. But a little one-dilmensional.

Charmes-Chambertin, Domaine Humbert Frères 17.5 From 2017

Fullish colour. Rich, full, concentrated nose. Fullish body. Very good grip. Very classy and very intense. Fine.

Charmes-Chambertin, Domaine Olivier Jouan 18.5 From 2018

Fullish colour. Very, very rich and concentrated. Yet not a bit too closed on the nose. Backward. This is very fine. Fullish body. Profound and abundant. Lots of dimension.

Charmes-Chambertin, Domaine Maume 17.0 From 2017

Fullish colour. Ripe, rich, full bodied and concentrated. Classy too. Very good fruit. Energetic and stylish. Fragrant, vigorous and long on the palate.

Charmes-Chambertin, Domaine Perrot-Minot 17.5 From 2017

Medium-full colour. Ripe, abundant, fresh and accesible on the nose. Classy too. Medium-full body. Very good grip. Very ripe. Good energy. Fine long finish.

Charmes-Chambertin, Maison Roland Remoissenet15.0From 2015

Medium-full colour. Soft and fruity but essentailly gentle and of lightish weight, both on the nose and on the palate. A little too loose-knit to take seriously.

Charmes-Chambertin, Maison Roche de Bellene17.5 From 2017

Medium-full colour. Rich, quite concentrated, splendidly fruity nose. Lots of depth and style. Medium-full body. Ripe, rich and oaky. Good grip. Open and abundant and quite accessible. Lovely finish.

Charmes-Chambertin, Domaine Armand Rousseau15.5From 2016

Medium to medium-full body. A touch astringent on the palate. Good at the end though.

Charmes-Chambertin, Domaine Taupenot-Merme13.0From 2015

Medium to medium-full colour. Some development. Somewhat thin and weedy on both the nose and the palate. And astringent at the end.

Griotte-Chambertin, Domaine Joseph Drouhin 18.0 From 2018

Fullish colour. Round, ripe, succulent and full of fruit on the nose. Perhaps it lacks a little intensity and vigour. Better as it evolved. Very Chambolle-ish. Sweet, long and lovely. Fine plus.

Latricières-Chambertin, Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux 17.5 From 2018

Fullish colour. Fine cassis-flavoured nose. Rich and full bodied. Oaky. Some tannin. Quite a powerful wine, especially on the follow through. Lots of energy. Fine.

Latricières-Chambertin, Domaine Drouhin-Laroze 17.5 From 2020

Medium-full colour. Soft, aromatic nose. Medium to medium-full body. Clean and balanced. Not rich or complex or classy enough for great but long and very satisfactory nonetheless. Fine

Latricières-Chambertin, Domaine Faiveley 18.0 From 2018

Medium-full colour. Gamey nose. Spicy and animal. Balanced, rich, oaky and vigorous. Medium-full body. Vigorous, profound and elegant. Very long and luxurious.

Latricières-Chambertin, Domaine Louis Rémy 17.0 From 2018

Medium to medium-full colour. Some development. Slightly sweaty, gamey nose, but good balance and depth. Medium-full body. Fresh and fruity. Ripe and attractive. But very good indeed rather than fine.

Latricières-Chambertin, Domaine Rossignol-Trapet 18.0 From 2019

Medium-full colour. Some development. Closed in nose. Fullish body. Rich and concentrated. Lush, ample, abundant and with very good acidity. Lots of vigour. Lots of class.

Latricières-Chambertin, Domaine Jean et Jean-Louis Trapet 17.0 From 2018

Good colour. A rich wine with no lack of backbone. Fullish body. I find it less elegant and less mineral than their Chapelle, but this is ample and satisfying. Very good indeed.

Mazis-Chambertin, Domaine Faiveley 18.5 From 2020

Closed on the nose. Fullish body. Vigorous. Very good grip. Lots of style and complexity. Lots of class and depth. Very fine.

Mazis-Chambertin, Domaine Maume 18.0 From 2018

Medium-full body. High-toned, oaky-caramel nose. Fullish body underneath. Very rich, ample wine. Heaps of voluptuous fruit. Lots of energy and very seductive.

Mazoyères-Chambertin, Domaine Perrot-Minot 17.5 From 2018

Medium-full colour. Good clean, pure, concentrated fruit on the nose. Fullish body.. Ripe and energetic. Very good grip. Lots of dimension. Fine.

Mazoyères-Chambertin, Domaine Taupenot-Merme 13.0 From 2015

Medium-full colour. Very pinched and vegetal on the nose. Thin and attenuated. Highish acidity.

Ruchotte-Chambertin, Domaine Dr Georges Mugneret-Gibourg 19.0 From 2019

Medium-full colour. Splendid concentration and class on the nose. Full body. Some oak. Very harmonious. Very lovely balanced fruit. Profound and multi-dimensional. This is really very fine plus.

Ruchottes-Chambertin, Domaine Christophe Roumier 18.0 From 2018

Medium to medium-full colour. Fresh, quite minty nose. Good depth and generosity. Some stems. Fullish body. Rich and energetic on the palate. Lots of depth. This is less developed than most. Fine plus.

Chambertin, Clos de Bèze, Domaine Bruno Clair 19.0 From 2020

Full colour. Very good tannins. Excellent fruit. Really elegant. Vigorous and complex. A profound wine; Very long and very lovely.

Chambertin, Clos de Bèze, Domaine Drouhin-Laroze 17.0 From 2018

Medium colour. There is something a little herbal which puts me off in the nose. Fullish body. A little astringency. Good fruit and very good grip though. And a long vigorous finish, but it doesn't add up to any more than very good indeed.

Chambertin, Clos de Bèze, Domaine Faiveley 19.0 From 2020

Medium-full colour. Firm, rich, full, well-balanced and very classy and profound on the nose. Very complex. Most imprssive. On the palate still rather youthful and closed in. Full body. There is a lot of flair here but it's all in potential. Very lovely fruit as it developed.

Chambertin, Clos de Bèze, Domaine Louis Jadot 18.0 From 2018

Medium-full colour. Soft, fruity, generous, harmonious nose. Quite closed. Fullish body. Ample, fruity attack. Plenty of depth. Very good energy. Fine plus.

Chambertin, Clos de Bèze, Maison Perrot-Minot 19.0 From 2020

Medium-full colour. Lots of abundant ripe fruit on the nose. Just a faint trace of reduction. On the palate this is very lovely. Full bodied. Rich. Ripe and harmonious. Lots of depth and energy. Very classy. Still very young. Excellent.

Chambertin, Clos de Bèze, Domaine Armand Rousseau 19.0 From 2020

This is profound and intense and very lovely. Ripe, rich, concentrated and classy. Multi-dimensional. Lovely finish. Excellent.

Chambertin, Domaine Bertagna 16.5 From 2018

Medium-full colour. Soft and quite oaky on the nose. Rather too much new wood for this size of wine. For it is only medium-full bodied, if that. Pretty fruit and reasonable grip. But it lacks energy and intensity. Very good plus at best.

Chambertin, Maison Henri Boillot19.0 From 2020

Medium to medium-full colour. Rich, fullish, oaky and profound on the nose. Fullish body. Ripe, vigorous, balanced and classy. Cool. Very long. Excellent.

Chambertin, Domaine du Clos Frantin 17.5 From 2018

Medium-full colour. Just a little four-square on the nose. Rather hidden at present. There is very good fruit underneath. Medium to medium-full body. But quite enough energy, grip and depth for a Chambertin. Plus the fruit is ripe and seductive.

Chambertin, Maison Camille Giroud 17.5 From 2018

Medium to medium-full colour. Rich, ample, slightly stemmy nose. Spicy and gamey. Fullish body. Rich, fat and abundant. Good follow through. Good depth. But not great. It lacks a bit of gtip and intensity.

Chambertin, Domaine Rémy 19.0 From 2020

Medium colour. High-toned nose. Lovely ample, complex fruit. But essentially quite delicate. Fullish body. Very, very rich and succulent. Splendid vigorous fruit. Lovely finish. Very fine indeed.

Chambertin, Maison Roche de Bellene 19.0 From 2020

Medium-full colour. Fine nose. Still a bit hidden. Rich, profound and austere. Full body. Very vigorous. Excellent ripe concentrated fruit. Very fine classy wine here.

Chambertin, Domaine Rossignol-Trapet 17.5 From 2019

Medium colour. Ripe, stylish, generous, medium weight nose. A slight echo of the lean and vegetal on the palate, but otherwise fullish bodied, rich, abundant and vigorous. Still young.

Chambertin, Domaine Armand Rousseau 20.0 From 2020

Medium-full colour. Splendid nose. Full and profound, very concentrated, quite oaky, yet understated and still very youthful. Fullish body. Harmonious, multi-dimensional fruit. Excellent grip. Really impressive. Very lovely follow through. Splendid.

Chambertin, Domaine Jean et Jean-Louis Trapet 18.5 From 2020

Good colour. A fullish, rich wine, but a little closed in at present. There is plenty of depth, but not quite the purity and profundity I was hoping for. Yet the finish is concentrated and persistent. (Note/ I marked the sample at our three year on tasting.)