2016 Beaune 1er cru "Teurons":(from a .27 ha holding that produced only 288 bottles versus ~1200 normally; 50% whole clusters). A fresh and ripe nose combines notes of various dark berries, plum, violet and a wisp of earth. The succulent, round and opulent medium weight flavors possess plenty of dry extract that helps to buffer the firm, serious and linear finish. This youthfully austere effort will need at least a few years of cellaring because while it is not strict, it's not open for business at present either. 91/2024+
2016 Beaune 1er cru "Champs Pimont":(from a .63 ha holding; 50% whole clusters). There is a trace of reduction that is sufficiently subtle that a quick aeration should be sufficient to reveal the full breadth of the mostly dark pinot fruit and earth-scented nose. The mouth feel of the medium-bodied flavors is sleeker and slightly more mineral-driven but slightly less concentrated, all wrapped in a dusty, youthfully austere and slightly dry finish. I suspect that the dryness is due to the recent bottling rather than underripe tannins and my rating offers the benefit of the doubt. 90/2024+
2016 Volnay 1er cru "En Carelle":Here the reduction isn't subtle and while it may well dissipate in time, if you're going to crack a bottle soon it will help to give it a thorough aeration first. Otherwise, there is a lacy, indeed almost delicate mouthfeel to the energetic and stony flavors that deliver fine length on the balanced finish. Once again my rating implicitly assumes that the nose will recover with time in the bottle. 91/2023+
2016 Volnay 1er cru "Clos de la Chapelle" monopole : (a .55 ha monopole). A perfumed mélange of plum, dark currant, spice and floral elements slides gracefully into detailed, pure and punchy middle weight flavors that ooze a fine minerality on the naturally sweet, sappy, firm and vibrant if slightly dry finish. Once again, I suspect that the recent bottling explains the dryness as the underlying tannins appear to be ripe. 90/2026+
2016 Pommard 1er cru "Les Chanlins Vieilles Vignes": (from a .25 ha parcel; 50% whole clusters). A gentle touch of wood sets off highly attractive aromas of lavender, violet, cassis, and plum. The rich, intense and relatively large-scaled flavors are distinctly earthy though there is plenty of the hallmark minerality on the extract-rich and powerful finish. This succulent yet quite serious effort is impressively scaled and clearly built to age. Patience strongly advised. 92/2028+
2016 Volnay 1er cru "Taillepieds": (50% whole clusters). A cool, pure, ripe and airy nose combines notes of black cherry, raspberry, plum and a pretty array of floral elements. The exceptionally rich and generous middle weight plus flavors possess good power and punch before concluding in an intensely mineral-driven, youthfully austere and sneaky long finale. I would describe this as an unusually opulent Taillepieds but even so, it's sufficiently backward as to make clear that at least moderate patience will be required. 92/2028+
2016 Pommard 1er cru "Les Grands Epenots": Here too there is enough wood to notice along with hints of menthol framing the overtly earthy and agreeably fresh aromas of black raspberry and cassis. The generously proportioned and fleshy big-bodied flavors possess excellent volume thanks to the abundant level of dry extract, all wrapped in a markedly structured, austere and backward finale. This is terrific but note well that it will not make for especially inviting early drinking. 93/2031+
2016 Corton-Bressandes: In contrast to the wood regimen of all of the prior wines, this is the only one where I would not describe it as subtle, indeed it fights somewhat with the otherwise well-layered, ripe and fresh aromas of red cherry, earth and underbrush. There is excellent size, weight, and richness to the broad-shouldered flavors that, like the Taillepieds, are lush and opulent yet the supporting tannic spine shaping the beautifully long finish again makes it clear that this will need a long snooze in a cool cellar. Note that there is such good underlying material that I am not concerned about the oak ultimately successfully integrating. 93/2031+
2016 Beaune 1er cru "Les Reversées": (to my knowledge the domaine is the only producer of Reversées blanc). A cool array is composed of notes of lemongrass, citrus rind, and a suggestion of the exotic. The sleek, intense and nicely detailed middle weight flavors are at once generous yet focused on the clean, dry and bitter lemon-inflected finale. 90/2021+
2016 Pernand-Vergelesses 1er cru "Sous Frétille": (only ½ barrel produced in 2016). This is also quite cool with its nose that reflects notes of green apples, lemon-lime and white flower scents that are trimmed in subtle oak nuances. There is impressive density to the rich, indeed even opulent, flavors that offer a seductive mouth feel though not quite the same persistence on the equally clean, dry and citrusy finish. 89/2021+
2016 Corton-Charlemagne: (from En Charlemagne in Pernand that produced 2 barrels). Moderately generous wood influence that includes vanilla wisps sets off the lightly exotic aromas of viognier, petrol and citrus. There is excellent volume and concentration to the broad-shouldered and overtly muscular flavors that brim with both dry extract and minerality, all wrapped in a moderately complex but impressively persistent finish. Unusually for Corton-Charlemagne, this could already be enjoyed though I would be inclined to cellar with the goal of allowing the presently only adequate complexity to improve. 92/2023+