(2021) A lot paler and softer in colour than the 15 or 16, a touch of coffee and a little more red fruited compared to the others. This feels more mature in many ways, a little more open and loosely knit but a lovely wine for drinking now, the sweetness of the fruit combined with softer tannins and pert cherry skin tangy acidity gives lots of pleasure and still plenty of bite and structure.
(2021) Again the colour darker and more dense, graphite and Morello cherry, there is polished wood and some truffle, but once again the supple fleshy gloss of this is a different world from the other 1er Crus entirely. Mouthfilling, smoky and rich, there is huge sweetness on the mid-palate, touching into chocolate, before that characteristic freshness and juicy propulsion of the structure drives to a long, elegant and spicy finish. Harvested at an almost unbelievable 9hl/ha, only two tanks were made in 2016 rather than the more normal four or five.
(2021) The depth and solidity of colour is immediately so striking, as is the powerful minerality and meat-stock depth to this. We’ve moved to a darker fruit spectrum, but still vivid and vibrant, immediately suggesting energy. A sweet, concentrated fruit power and energy, positively silky, slicked with vanilla and combining intense, fleshy black fruits with the elegance and precision of the tannins and acids to wonderful effect.
(2021) Half of the crop in this vintage was lost to frost. Pale crimson, a little more reductive at this stage, the fruit is a little more towards firm black cherry, but still there is elegance and raciness here. I really like the shape of this wine on the palate, firmness at the core, lots of juiciness - the most of these five vintages - and a great, lip-smacking thrust of citrus acidity to give superb sharpness. A weighty but decisive wine. No Uk stockists listed at time of review.
(2021) No whole bunches were included for this pale ruby wine, touched with glowing pale pink on the rim. Spicy, briary and relatively meaty, that floral character is still present, but more on the woodland, spice and savoury, gently meaty red fruit side. Real mouth-filling fruit here, a big, surprisingly sweet and rounded mid-palate with generosity, again the tannins are tight and give a little sandpaper grip along with the juicy acids. An impressive 2017 for sure.
(2021) Made with 100% whole bunches, a little paler than the '15, with more truffle and sappy character, spices too. The palate has that similar character of freshness to the '15, and sappy juiciness, a firm, steely quality in here. The tannins and striking acid have more to say than the '15, and though perhaps lacking a touch of the former vintage’s charm, it's a nervy, fascinating wine.
(2021) Ruby with pale rim, this reminds me of the '15 Clos de l’Arlot, with those briar notes, touching herbs and flowers, and then a creaminess of red fruits come through; cherry and red berries. Really nice palate here, the fruit cool, poised and balanced on its acidity, the fine, firm tannins add freshness, but then the whole wine is fresh, its charming bittersweet twist of liquorice giving so much savouriness. Made with 100% whole bunches. No UK retail listing at time of review.
(2021) Made with 66% whole bunches. Deeper in colour again and a little more violet/purple tinge to the ruby. A little mineral, lightly ashy quality, woodland notes in the background, but really much more focused on the polished, dark fruits. An endive twist of bitter sweetness against cherry skin tang and that mineral character running to a lightly saline finish. Terrific and promising.
(2021) No whole bunches in this vintage, the wine a little darker, but still in ruby shades. This is another more closed wine at this young stage, but perfume comes through, a touch of floral character and polished wood and briar. Quite different in character from the '15 and '16 again. The fruit in the mouth is so sweet and juicy, a firmness one again, a juiciness and grip but steps up from the 2017 in terms of fruit concentration and lovely balance for the future.
