(Tasted Blind) Priced at €40, this is a wine produced by the estate since 1979. It comes from 12 hectares of vineyards planted on clay and limestone soils, with the vines averaging 35 years old. The wine is made from 100% destemmed grapes and aged in 15% new oak barrels. A light ruby colour with fragrant attractive aromas of soft berries, particularly strawberries, along with hints of red flowers and earthy, almost feral notes. The palate has approachable, soft fruity tannins and fruit that fills the mid-palate and is balanced by a crisp acidity that runs through the veins of the wine. There is a sense of generosity, with warm, softened strawberry notes and more. Medium intense, the wine lacks depth and shows a mineral acidity. Closes medium length with a hint of rhubarb. Enjoyable, though but could benefit from a bit more depth in the mid-palate.
A winery with a rich history spanning seven generations. The estate covers 18 hectares, some cultivated using organic practices and a non-interventionist approach. The Fixin vineyard, comprising 2.5 hectares, is situated on clay-limestone soil with sandy marl. The vines were planted in 1927. The wine undergoes fermentation in concrete tanks and spends 12 months in barrels, with no new oak used. Price: €50. A Light to mid-ruby colour tapering to brown edges. Intriguing aromas of crayon, cherry stone, minerals, pencil shavings and, more unusually, iron fillings. The palate is well structured with firm and compact tannins. Fruit that fills the middle, with black fruits dominating, accompanied by hints of redcurrant, dried earth and a dash of pepper, yet neither shows much intensity. Crisp acidity contributes to a reasonably linear palate shape to a fairly light-bodied wine. It closes with a distinct cherry stone extract, reminiscent of grappa pomace, that shortens the finish, and there is also a touch of volatility, giving a more rustic impression.
(Tasted Blind) The property dates back to the 1950s. In 1993, the son took over the winery and began exporting. The winery has expanded its collection of appellations and currently owns 11 hectares of vineyards with 6 appellations. The vineyards have limestone and stony soils facing southeast. 100% destemmed grapes undergo a cold maceration for 3-4 days. The skin contact lasts for 21 days, with regular punch downs and pumping over. Aged in oak barrels, with 30% new oak, for 18-24 months. A medium garnet to brown colour. Very savoury leading bouquet with notes of crayon, cherry stone, leather, and tar. Start to open to strawberry slowly. Again, it is well-structured with firm yet fine-grained tannins. There is a distinct pull on the gums, and savoury notes fill the mid-palate with worn leather, baked-dry earth and marmite. Whilst it has some depth, the wine lacks fruit and could benefit from more succulence. The tannins rise and shorten the finish, giving a slightly extracted impression. The oak presence is noticeable but not overly spicy. Lively acidity adds some freshness to the wine. Altogether, it is quite extracted as per the vintage.
France, Burgundy, Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune
The estate originates from a 3rd generation winery established in 1950. It has expanded over the years, acquiring more vineyards and building a new winery in 1980. Price: €25. A medium ruby colour reveals earthy and tar aromas, accompanied by hints of crayon, stems, and red and black fruits, with plum taking the lead. Rather appealing, feeling soft and gently fruited. A creamy entry, yet there is a note reminiscent of plasticine or putty that is distracting. Lacking much floral lift for an HCDB it is gently fruited with light tannins and lively acidity. Closes with a bothersome old wood or damp cloth presence. Overall, it feels slightly overripe and fat, perhaps might benefit from a little more acidity, which is medium and juicy at best. Score: 88/100
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru
Price: €28. A light ruby colour with brown edges. Once again, the cherry stone and savoury bouquet were accompanied by baked dried and a hint of marmite. The ripe and, this time, intense fruit aromas reveal a warmer vintage, although there is a touch of grappa reflecting the warmth of the vintage. There is richness in the mid-palate, but the wine lacks acidity depth and appears somewhat stringy. The texture is a fruity but shapeless character, making the wine easy-going but ponderous and ‘fuzzy’. There are some red fruit notes present and the oak influence is minimal. On the back palate, a peculiar note appears, showing slightly botrytic fruit; the wine feels warm and generous, with a grippy extract rising from its fruity mid-palate to give a parched and hot feel, almost scorched earth.
Price: €48; A medium brown-ruby colour. Savoury, leather bouquet with a presence of tar. There is more weight and presence than previous wines, finally offering some fleshiness. Better extract, there is the warmth to it but a fine blade of tannins that is chalky and grippy. Savoury flavours of crayon, pencil shavings, leather and tar remind me of a Barolo. Complex, the wine is certainly more savoury, with various elements in play. Well structured and firm but with enough fruit inside. Long finish closing with a dry but finely-grained sensation.
Price €50. This producer was instrumental in developing Marsannay. Hails from a single organically farmed vineyard. Style is clear fruit expression, with the Clos du Roy vineyard benefiting from deeper soils. The vineyard slopes moderately to the southeast, with a soil composition of gravel over limestone and sandy marl. A light to medium ruby colour. Lifted notes of pressed red flowers and dried flowers, accompanied by attractive, intense morello cherry with a savoury undertone. Ripe fruit gives some richness to this medium-bodied wine on entry. Plenty going on with flavours of strawberry flesh, ripe cooked cherries, and spices, all leading to a fleshy mid-palate, yet the wine is fairly extracted, and the acidity struggles to emphasise the fruits, resulting in a burly wine that combines a grappa element with ripe, granular tannins. Perhaps needs further development to achieve a better integration.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru
Price: €100. Traditional farming practices, with no herbicides or chemicals used. Debudding is implemented to limit growth. Grapes are 100% destemmed and undergo a 5-day cold maceration, with the fermentation lasting between 15-21 days, with temperature control. The wine is then racked to barrels for malolactic fermentation and aged for 16 months on fine lees with 30% new oak. Unfiltered. A light to medium ruby colour. Penetrating aromas of red fruits, cherry stone, and some savoury elements are joined by pressed red flowers, intense sous-bois (forest floor), and a hint of marmite and oak spice. The entry is ripe red fruits, accompanied by lively acidity and framed by finely-edged, pliant tannins. The wine has a beautiful gait with a subtle power, and remarkable penetration of flavours, layered up to give impressive depth. Complex, with richness in the mid-palate, it reflects the breadth and panache of Gevrey. A persistent length and to an extent quite elegant.
2019 Alain Gras Saint-Romain 89 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Saint-Romain
(Tasted Blind) Priced at €40, this is a wine produced by the estate since 1979. It comes from 12 hectares of vineyards planted on clay and limestone soils, with the vines averaging 35 years old. The wine is made from 100% destemmed grapes and aged in 15% new oak barrels. A light ruby colour with fragrant attractive aromas of soft berries, particularly strawberries, along with hints of red flowers and earthy, almost feral notes.
The palate has approachable, soft fruity tannins and fruit that fills the mid-palate and is balanced by a crisp acidity that runs through the veins of the wine. There is a sense of generosity, with warm, softened strawberry notes and more. Medium intense, the wine lacks depth and shows a mineral acidity. Closes medium length with a hint of rhubarb. Enjoyable, though but could benefit from a bit more depth in the mid-palate.
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2018 Domaine Berthaut-Gerbet Fixin 89 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Fixin
A winery with a rich history spanning seven generations. The estate covers 18 hectares, some cultivated using organic practices and a non-interventionist approach. The Fixin vineyard, comprising 2.5 hectares, is situated on clay-limestone soil with sandy marl. The vines were planted in 1927. The wine undergoes fermentation in concrete tanks and spends 12 months in barrels, with no new oak used. Price: €50.
A Light to mid-ruby colour tapering to brown edges. Intriguing aromas of crayon, cherry stone, minerals, pencil shavings and, more unusually, iron fillings. The palate is well structured with firm and compact tannins. Fruit that fills the middle, with black fruits dominating, accompanied by hints of redcurrant, dried earth and a dash of pepper, yet neither shows much intensity. Crisp acidity contributes to a reasonably linear palate shape to a fairly light-bodied wine. It closes with a distinct cherry stone extract, reminiscent of grappa pomace, that shortens the finish, and there is also a touch of volatility, giving a more rustic impression.
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2018 Jérôme Chezeaux Vosne-Romanée 88 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée
(Tasted Blind) The property dates back to the 1950s. In 1993, the son took over the winery and began exporting. The winery has expanded its collection of appellations and currently owns 11 hectares of vineyards with 6 appellations. The vineyards have limestone and stony soils facing southeast. 100% destemmed grapes undergo a cold maceration for 3-4 days. The skin contact lasts for 21 days, with regular punch downs and pumping over. Aged in oak barrels, with 30% new oak, for 18-24 months.
A medium garnet to brown colour. Very savoury leading bouquet with notes of crayon, cherry stone, leather, and tar. Start to open to strawberry slowly. Again, it is well-structured with firm yet fine-grained tannins. There is a distinct pull on the gums, and savoury notes fill the mid-palate with worn leather, baked-dry earth and marmite. Whilst it has some depth, the wine lacks fruit and could benefit from more succulence. The tannins rise and shorten the finish, giving a slightly extracted impression. The oak presence is noticeable but not overly spicy. Lively acidity adds some freshness to the wine. Altogether, it is quite extracted as per the vintage.
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2018 Domaine Parigot Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Clos de la Perrière Rouge 88 Points
France, Burgundy, Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune
The estate originates from a 3rd generation winery established in 1950. It has expanded over the years, acquiring more vineyards and building a new winery in 1980. Price: €25. A medium ruby colour reveals earthy and tar aromas, accompanied by hints of crayon, stems, and red and black fruits, with plum taking the lead. Rather appealing, feeling soft and gently fruited. A creamy entry, yet there is a note reminiscent of plasticine or putty that is distracting. Lacking much floral lift for an HCDB it is gently fruited with light tannins and lively acidity. Closes with a bothersome old wood or damp cloth presence. Overall, it feels slightly overripe and fat, perhaps might benefit from a little more acidity, which is medium and juicy at best.
Score: 88/100
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2015 Domaine Parigot Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Les Vergelesses 89 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru
Price: €28. A light ruby colour with brown edges. Once again, the cherry stone and savoury bouquet were accompanied by baked dried and a hint of marmite. The ripe and, this time, intense fruit aromas reveal a warmer vintage, although there is a touch of grappa reflecting the warmth of the vintage. There is richness in the mid-palate, but the wine lacks acidity depth and appears somewhat stringy. The texture is a fruity but shapeless character, making the wine easy-going but ponderous and ‘fuzzy’. There are some red fruit notes present and the oak influence is minimal. On the back palate, a peculiar note appears, showing slightly botrytic fruit; the wine feels warm and generous, with a grippy extract rising from its fruity mid-palate to give a parched and hot feel, almost scorched earth.
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2015 Domaine Parigot Beaune 1er Cru Grèves 91 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Beaune 1er Cru
Price: €48; A medium brown-ruby colour. Savoury, leather bouquet with a presence of tar. There is more weight and presence than previous wines, finally offering some fleshiness. Better extract, there is the warmth to it but a fine blade of tannins that is chalky and grippy. Savoury flavours of crayon, pencil shavings, leather and tar remind me of a Barolo. Complex, the wine is certainly more savoury, with various elements in play. Well structured and firm but with enough fruit inside. Long finish closing with a dry but finely-grained sensation.
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2015 Domaine Charles Audoin Marsannay Clos du Roy 90 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Marsannay
Price €50. This producer was instrumental in developing Marsannay. Hails from a single organically farmed vineyard. Style is clear fruit expression, with the Clos du Roy vineyard benefiting from deeper soils. The vineyard slopes moderately to the southeast, with a soil composition of gravel over limestone and sandy marl.
A light to medium ruby colour. Lifted notes of pressed red flowers and dried flowers, accompanied by attractive, intense morello cherry with a savoury undertone.
Ripe fruit gives some richness to this medium-bodied wine on entry. Plenty going on with flavours of strawberry flesh, ripe cooked cherries, and spices, all leading to a fleshy mid-palate, yet the wine is fairly extracted, and the acidity struggles to emphasise the fruits, resulting in a burly wine that combines a grappa element with ripe, granular tannins. Perhaps needs further development to achieve a better integration.
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2015 Domaine Harmand-Geoffroy Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru La Perrière 93 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru
Price: €100. Traditional farming practices, with no herbicides or chemicals used. Debudding is implemented to limit growth. Grapes are 100% destemmed and undergo a 5-day cold maceration, with the fermentation lasting between 15-21 days, with temperature control. The wine is then racked to barrels for malolactic fermentation and aged for 16 months on fine lees with 30% new oak. Unfiltered. A light to medium ruby colour. Penetrating aromas of red fruits, cherry stone, and some savoury elements are joined by pressed red flowers, intense sous-bois (forest floor), and a hint of marmite and oak spice. The entry is ripe red fruits, accompanied by lively acidity and framed by finely-edged, pliant tannins. The wine has a beautiful gait with a subtle power, and remarkable penetration of flavours, layered up to give impressive depth. Complex, with richness in the mid-palate, it reflects the breadth and panache of Gevrey. A persistent length and to an extent quite elegant.
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