2019, Pernand-Vergelesses Sous Frétille 1er Cru
Organic production, east facing, yielding just one 350l barrel of older wood, half the usual crop. Pure lemon and lime colour, this has a compact intensity, a class ahead. Very good tension, persistent and charming. 91 pts
2019, Beaune Les Reversées 1er Cru
There are big blocks of limestone not far below the surface, making this a white wine terroir. Indeed they have ripped out the pinot plants next door to make more chardonnay, starting with the 3rd leaf in 2020. Pale colour and a more neutral nose than the Pernand Sous Frétille, but agreeable. Attractive and easy-going, with a pretty white pear fruit. 90 pts
2019, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru
Racked in late July, and recently sulphured when I tasted, which has blocked the nose a bit. To be bottled in mid-November. Ripe apple and a little Conference pear, tightly wound, some juiciness, a little sucrosity, backward. 92 - 94 pts
2019, Beaune Champs Pimont 1er Cru, Domaine Clos de la Chapelle
Following a late malolactic fermentation, this wine had not yet been racked. It is a very vigorous site, yielding 35 hl/ha in both 2019 and 2020 after green harvesting. Brisk mid purple, a slightly subdued nose, good oak behind, chunky dark fruit, not so much acidity here. 87 - 90 pts
2019, Beaune Les Teurons 1er Cru, Domaine Clos de la Chapelle
From the lower part of the vineyard. Pale red to crimson. Quite sturdy in style here with a little bit of the orange zest touch which I often used to find in this vineyard. Agreeably full at the finish, has done well in the conditions. 90 - 92 pts
2019, Volnay 1er cru
New this year, comprising mostly the younger vines of Taillepieds, which suffered a little in the drought. As they are replanting elsewhere this cuvée will continue. Fresh mid purple with lively fruit and a whisker of oak on the nose. You can see the ripeness of the grapes though, almost a touch of raisins. 88 - 90 pts
2019, Volnay En Carelle 1er cru
From older vines which are beginning to need replanting. All destemmed. Medium depth of colour. Middleweight, partly quite lively, partly a bit feeling the heat, this comes in at 14% and does show it a little. 89 - 91 pts
2019, Volnay Taillepieds 1er cru vieilles vignes
From very old vines which yielded 24 hl/ha. Not racked yet. Clear bright purple with a very high-class nose. A surge of really intense deep fresh raspberry fruit, a little richer at the back, flirts with chocolate notes, but decides against, just enough acidity. 91 - 94 pts
2019, Volnay Clos de la Chapelle 1er cru monopole
Monopole. Fresh mid purple, offering a very lively sensual nose, I thought whole bunch, but no, it is the vineyard, but this is gorgeous with soft ripe strawberry fruit lifted by some top raspberry notes. Certainly a ripe style of pinot, but its lovely. The bad news is that the yield was a ridiculously low 10 hl/ha. 92 - 95 pts
2019, Pommard Les Chanlins 1er cru vieilles vignes,
From exceptionally old vines, 90 year old, with an acceptable yield of 24 hl/ha. Not especially deep in colour, but quite sensual on the nose. Lovely aromatics, the whole bunch component (15%) gives a tingle factor, really well balanced and very long. There may be a trace of acetate which can be cleaned up when the wine is racked. 91 - 93 pts
2019, Pommard Les Grands Epenots 1er cru
The vines were pruned short and green harvested to the extent that they delivered only 20 hl/ha. Not racked yet. Dense purple colour here. Rich cooked cherry, almost too much and the acidity comes out behind. A big boy, but it remains to be seen whether the heat effect will dissipate sufficiently. 89 - 92 pts
2019, Corton Bressandes Grand Cru
Yielding 28 hl/ha which equates to just two barrels, of which one is new. 15% whole bunches were retained. Not racked yet. Both the wood and the whole bunches can be detected on the nose, but they work well together. This is quite a substantial wine for Bressandes, but has perfectly kept its balance. Very long finish and impressive purity. 92 - 95 pts
All wines tasted October 2020