The nose offers a width of herbs and an overall impression that recalls Charlemagne – super. Round, silky and soft, the concentration is very good. With slowly fading flavours this is excellent for its level.
Ravaut Gaston et Pierre
2008 Ravaut Gaston et Pierre Ladoix Blanc
2008 Ravaut Gaston et Pierre Côte de Nuits Villages
2008 Ravaut Gaston et Pierre Ladoix Le Clos Royer
2008 Ravaut Gaston et Pierre Aloxe-Corton
2006 Ravaut Gaston et Pierre Ladoix Carrières
Medium, medium-plus colour. The nose soars with beautiful raspberry and blackberry notes – it’s a peach – or maybe that’s confusing! There is some sweetness of fruit, nice texture and a significant length, but to be honest after a number of successful vintages in my cellar, this one is rather ‘acid rich’ – and that’s before it loses its puppy fat! The tannin has the faintest astringency, but nothing amiss there. I easily managed to find something to enjoy here, but other bottles might be a challenge in middle years…
2006 Ravaut Gaston et Pierre Aloxe-Corton Vieilles Vignes
Medium cherry-red colour. The nose is quite forward and red fruited, but it’s a mix of higher-toned red fruit over a core of more baked red fruit and a faint mineral background. Nice fruit, good acidity and a not too grainy but slightly astringent tannic edge to your mouthful. I suspect this may be a little nicer in 12 months or-so, but it was enjoyed without remorse today – decent value at about 25 Swiss francs a bottle.
2005 Ravaut Gaston et Pierre Ladoix Carrières
Deep cherry red colour. A deep and dark nose; it’s a mix of red and and black fruits and a very subtle undertone of oak. Mouth-filling, soft-textured – density without inappropriateness and ripe primary fruit. The acidity brings a ‘just right’ balance. Tannins are not too unruly though you will have to search hard for them and there’s an additional faint black olive element that seems wood derived. Tasted blind you might guess a 2004 grand cru from the concentration but alas never the finish – merely a solid medium length. Tremendous value at €12 and highly recommended.
2002 Ravaut Gaston et Pierre Ladoix Carrières
Medium-plus cherry-red. The nose is deep and initially quite tight, powdery, high-toned red fruit soon starts to take-over. The very well balanced has lovely acidity – perfectly counterbalancing the ripe, sweet fruit – at least below 20°C, above that the acidity seems a little tart. Not the density of their 01 1er Cru (Bois Roussot) but somehow a little purer. A super value bottle.