Vintage 2019 - Cask tasting notes
20th of May 2020, the first revelations of the 2019 vintage during cask tastings!
Contained in different casks with a proportion of new casks limited to 20 / 25%, each appellation of the domain was tested by the sharp taste buds of our tasters: Philippe, Nicolas, and Caroline Drouhin. It is important to issue a reminder that this tasting is an image of time T of the wines, and thus it must be considered a mere indicator because the ageing is still in progress today. It will be necessary to revisit the wines during the second part of the ageing, after the racking in mid-July, in order to analyze the new evolutions of the organoleptic characteristics of the wines.
The harvests occurred from the 13th to the 22nd of September under dry and warm weather conditions. Despite the low yields, the sanitary condition was exceptional with historically high natural degree potentials.
Laroze de Drouhin's wines
Bourgogne Côte d'Or - Pinot Noir 2019
20% new oak barrels / 30% whole harvest / Malolactic finished at the end of February 2020
The tasting begins with a nice nose, marked by the presence of red berries such as raspberry and blackcurrant. On the palate, the attack is silky and reveals a beautiful maturity amongst fleshy tannins. Both saline and salivating, the final note announced a very promising wine.
Fixin 2019
20% new oak barrels / 25% whole harvest / Malolactic finished at the end of February 2020
The nose of this wine remains very discreet, nevertheless there are light escaping floral aromas followed by fruits that delicately bring the bouquet to a close. The attack on the palate is elegant, revealing fresh fruit aromas as well as a nice acidity, ending with a floral finish of wild rose. Finally, we notice the presence of the cask that brings a light complexity and elegant aromatic notes of liquorice.
Bourogne Côte d'Or - Chardonnay 2019
20% new oak barrels / 60% whole harvest / Malolactic finished at the end of February 2020
A Chardonnay offering an enjoyable tasting experience, both rich and gourmet. Nevertheless, it will be necessary to monitor the conservation of the freshness during its bottling towards the end of July.
Moulin-a-Vent 2019
Harvested and vinified by ourselves / 50% whole harvest/ Ageing in stainless steel vats
Bottling in March 2020
The ageing of this 2019 Moulin-à-vent was done uniquely in vats to keep the freshness of the juice: it was next bottled in March of 2020.
The tasting begins with a very expressive nose, concentrated around notes of bigarreau cherries, accompanied by subtle floral notes evoking violet, and even a touch of toasted bread. The attack gradually fills the palate. Smooth and elegant, it lightly reveals a roundness like a purée of fresh and ripe red fruits.
A cru of Beaujolais extremely pleasant, and it tells us with an unequaled precision the story of a sip that repeats itself endlessly. To summarize, a real pleasure for the taste buds that will perfectly marry with the simple harmony of summer dishes: to be enjoyed as of May 2020!
Domaine Drouhin-Laroze's wines
Morey-Saint-Denis Très Girard 2019
40% new oak barrels/ 100% whole harvest / Malolactic finished at the end of February 2020
Worked entirely with whole harvesting, the 2019 vintage of this Morey-Saint-Denis Très Girard offers us a distinguished nose, that is dominated at time T by a little reduction. On the palate, richness characterizes the attack but is contrasted by a slight lack of dynamism and freshness. The progress of this cuvée will be carefully monitored after the racking.
Gevrey-Chambertin 'Sans soufre' 2019
40% new oak barrels / 50% whole harvest / Malolactic finished at the end of February 2020
Parcel : Croix des Champs
We begin with a captivating nose of caramel, leading us to its beautifully present maturity. Next comes the roundness and the richness of a perfectly enveloped palate, also a sign of great smoothness. This sulfur free cuvée is also enticing with its fruity characteristics.
Gevrey-Chambertin 'Dix Climats'
2019
40%
new oak
barrels / 30% whole
harvest
/ Malolactic finished at the end of
February 2020
Licorice and spices are two notes that characterize this fresh and precise wine, whose ageing is still in progress. It surprises us by its sparkle and crispness. The nose is slightly smoky with enhanced aromas of liquored fruits. The textures on the palate are pleasant, both in terms of body, smooth and fresh, and aromas, sharp and precise. The choice of cask is also of great importance here because it brings an almost pastry note to this cuvée.
Gevrey-Chambertin 'En Champs' 2019
40% new oak barrels / 30% whole harvest/ Malolactic finished at the end of February 2020
The aromas delivered by the nose, carried essentially by black berries, can also easily be found on the palate, with its rich and fruity attack. Aromas that combine with a beautiful palate, balanced and generous, are accompanied by dense and smooth tannins. We also notice a grain of saltiness in this wine.
Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru - Craipillot 2019
60% new oak barrels / 30% whole harvest / Malolactic finished at the end of February 2020
On the nose, the aromas are discreet but present: in this cuvée we find black cherries, cardamom, star anise, roasted coffee as well as bitter chocolate. Next, it is the finesse that characterizes the palate where the tannins delicately resonate. Finally, the tasting ends with pleasant floral notes.
Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru - Au Closeau 2019
60% new oak barrels / 50% whole harvest / Malolactic finished at the end of February 2020
A discreet nose, followed by a magnificent palate, as rich as it is dense. The aromas create a gourmet ensemble with notes of mocha. At the end of the palate, we find the bitterness of cocoa mixed with the freshness of white flesh fruits.
Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru - Clos Prieur 2019
60% new oak barrels / 30% whole harvest / Malolactic finished at the end of February 2020
The nose is still dominated by the influence of the barrel, but nevertheless contains aromatic notes reminding us of old whiskey, vanilla, and coffee. This wine with its great freshness will without a doubt surprise us once more at the end of its ageing in casks.
Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru - Lavaut-Saint-Jacques 2019
60% new oak barrels / 0% whole harvest / Malolactic finished at the end of February 2020
The 2019 vintage of this 1ère Cru Lavaut Saint-Jacques is integrally worked with whole harvests. The attack is frank, followed by a middle palate both lively and dense. This cask tasting announces a wine still on its reserve but just about ready to reveal its entire aromatic palate.
Chambolle-Musigny 2019
40% new oak barrels / 25% whole harvest / Malolactic finished at the end of February 2020
Worked with 25% whole harvest, this Chambolle-Musigny initially presents a closed nose. Next comes the approach on the palate: beautiful, fruity, and elegant. Its exotic aromas evoke lychee and evolve with a sweetness and well-balanced tension. The final note is rich and fresh, revealing the elegance of a very present wine!
Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru 2019
80% new oak barrels / 30% whole harvest / Malolactic finished at the end of February 2020
On the nose, this cuvée exudes aromas of black fruits, orange peels, and pine sap, all subject to a slight reduction. The major characteristic enjoyed on the palate is its freshness; its attack is lively, but then develops more tension. The elegance of its tannins brings a nice salinity for the finish.
Latricières-Chambertin Grand Cru 2019
80% new oak barrels / 30% whole harvest / Malolactic finished at the end of February 2020
The Latricières-Chambertin of the domain possesses a discreet nose, revealing light aromas of black fruits. On the palate, the attack is smooth and unctuous: it is a rich wine that delivers an aromatic palate of jammed red fruits, essentially blackcurrant. Refined, elegant, and rich, a long finish brings this wine touches of roasted coffee or ripe fruits. The ageing will nevertheless need to be refined to achieve a perfect balance.
Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2019
80% new oak barrels / 50% whole harvest / Malolactic finished at the end of February 2020
Halfway designed by the principles of whole harvesting, these 2019 Bonnes-Mares possess a frank nose, where one distinctly notices black fruits and black pepper. The attack is almost skillful, both dense and supple, it offers a delicacy of blackcurrant flavors. On the palate, the taste is refined; it reveals a rich mid-palate, accompanied by a beautiful maturity that will enjoy a long elegant finish.
Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru 2019
80% new oak barrels / 0% whole harvest / Malolactic finished at the end of February 2020
This 2019 Clos de Vougeot prominently exudes black fruits. But one can also detect notes of lemon, yuzu, redcurrants, some aromas of vine peaches, and blood orange. Frank and lively, its attack possesses a nice smoothness and offers a richness and density on the palate. The whole produces a finish both salty and frank.
Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru 2019
80% new oak barrels / 30% whole harvest / Malolactic finished at the end of February 2020
The nose is fruity, it releases aromas of light and ripe black fruits. On the palate, the attack is frank and dynamic; within this beautiful rich structure one can taste black fruits. Intense and present, this wine will reveal a tannic finish, reflecting its magnificence. The ageing will progress according to the evolution of the wine, demonstrating a beautiful balance!