September 17, 2022 - It’s…fine. My first of their beaune 1ers and frankly, I don’t see myself buying more. It’s not the vintage. I’m quite enamored with cote de beaune reds in 2011. It just doesn’t hold a candle to lafarge’s volnays which I deeply love. I think michel lafarge was (is) my favorite producer and they can elevate beaune 1ers better than anyone but I felt a bit disappointed overall. The wine was shut down and just completely muted upon opening. Took a minimum of 30 minutes before it unfurled and opened up but never really impressed. Muted cherries…little depth…I prefer Mitans to this (and that's my least favorite of their Volnay vineyards). It’s still lafarge but I expected more considering the extreme age of the vines and my love for the domaine.
May 7, 2022 - Au Club C&P
Austère et un peu poussiéreux à l’ouverture, il s’ouvre et s’affine, devient franchement aimable. Nez de cerises de terre, conifères. La bouche est aérienne et séveuse, rien de gourmand, mais il est racé et d’une belle profondeur, dans un style sérieux. 90-91 pts
March 19, 2022 - Decanted for 45 minutes. Darker translucent ruby hue. Nose of red raspberry, brier, airy violets, a bit of piquant sauvage. Layers of earthy red raspberry, fine iron particles, and pulpy brambles on the sinewy palate with stony character and late leather notes. Firm but somewhat smoothed tannin which tightened towards the end of the evening. Bright acidity. Long finish of wiry red berry, underbrush, and iron. Surprisingly accessible but of course years (decades) to go. Essence of Beaune.
June 9, 2021 - Decanted 4 hours. Medium red pale slightly rusty edge. Strawberry, raspberry, pine, primary; very nice. Berry palate of considerable length, there is ample tannin and acid and the lovely padding makes it so enjoyable today.
September 5, 2020 - Un petit coup de carafe à l'ouverture, pour décanter les lies et lui donner un peu d'air. Discret au nez donc aurait pu respirer davantage, le dernier verre est plus expressif au niveau olfactif. La bouche est sérieuse, non pas si tannique ou tendue, mais sur des arômes de cerises noires, avec des notes de champignons et de mousse. Loin de son apogée, je trouve qu'il est à un beau moment dans son évolution, loin de la tension des jeunes Grèves. Un très beau vin porteur de la finesse du domaine.
March 4, 2019 - Terroir-istes International - France, Burgundy, Auxy, Beaune, Savigny, Corton (Bishopscourt): (Tasted Blind): A light ruby colour. The nose presents classic earthy and feral aromas, with red cherry towards kirsch, grappa and oak underneath. A little vegetal as the wine opened and that alcohol grappa and pomace kicked in, almost volatile and slightly unclean. Perhaps needed an extra racking? The palate reveals a touch of vegetal undergrowth and some shrubbery elements, suggesting the need for racking - there is a hummus-like quality!
The mid-palate improves with dry scrub, mineral, earth and ginger spices and the wine certainly has concentration. However, the tannins are grippy and the wine is quite edgy. A dusty, earthiness led to a dry finish that some enjoyed, but I was less convinced.
November 16, 2018 - Very perfumed nose violets and cherries. Medium body. Bright acidity. Mid-level tannins. Silky. Very elegant. Flavors of dark cherry, mushroom, and a touch of vanilla, but in no way overly oaked. Still very young and primary. 5 years away from any real drinking window. A classic Burgundy.
May 25, 2013 - 90 year vines. Med dark red. Dark fruit nose. Extremely deep fruit. Long dark flavours, satiny feel. Remarkable. From barrel.
April 24, 2013 - France 2013 - Côte d'Or; 4/24/2013-4/26/2013 (Beaune): Tasted at the Domaine. From barrel. 90 year old vines. Darker fruit nose with nice minerality and precision on the palate. Solid acid and length. This will need 7+ years. (90-92).