Tasted with Raphaël Chopin in Lantignié, 06 February 2019.
Raphaël Chopin
La Savoye
69430 Lantignié
Tel: +33 6 22 08 59 09
www.domaine-raphael-chopin.fr
Raphaël on 2018:
“2018 – I like to talk about it! Easier than 2017, lots of sun, rain when needed, the only real issue is that the wines are currently a little opulent, less gamay but they taste great. The wines were more fragile in the vinification stage though.”
Raphaël on 2017:
“2017 was an interesting year – a nice year for the sun but also for storms. We lost some of the harvest – 20-80% losses was the effect of being hit by hail 3 times in some places – but the quality is clearly that of a good vintage – I think of it as a mix of 2015 and 2016 so a mix of fruit and power. I think of it as a more austere vintage, but really wines with a superior longevity I think. Because of the hail I yielded only 5 hl/ha in La Ronze – it was nearer 50 in 2018 but a good 50! There was also only 10 hl/ha in Morgon Charmes – it’s hard for a small domaine, particularly after only 30 hl/ha in 2016 – fortunately there was some volume in both 2015 and 2018.”
The wines…
Raphaël was so apologetic as there were so few cuvées to taste – so he offered up some 2018s – I declined because they wouldn’t be bottled for at least 3-4 months – but no worries – what he has is simply great – be happy if you can find some.
Bottled. Hailed twice – 20 hl/ha, but practically the best yields of the domaine – la Ronze was hit 3 times
Super colour. A weight, a fresh nose but of perfume. Fresh, direct, some structure for sure, love the muscle and shape here, I find this really great bjv!
The following two were both tasted (with rough assemblies) direct from barrel:
Name of the cuvée. This from old vines in Laronze ‘but capricious wines!’ Elevage of 12 months in demi-muids of 500 litres – probably for bottling in March.
Hmm, deep, really profound, only modest width today. Hmm, sleek and concentrated, more tannin showing here but also more depth and a touch of cushioning to the fruit. Fresh in the middle and with simply delicious flavour. Bravo again, powerful but elegantly delivered.
2017 Morgon Archambaud
Same idea for a March bottling
Hmm, that’s a nice width, very inviting, the rest is tighter. Ooh, that’s got much more volume, a touch more tannin too – the wine is silky and concentrated. More to wait for here – but particularly from the mid to the finish it’s great!