Domaine Launay-Horiot
1 rue des Charmots
21630 Pommard
Tel: +33 6 87 03 05 19
www.launay-horiot.com
Link to Latricières-Chambertin profile
Despite being owners of both Latricières-Chambertin AND Chambertin, this is actually a domaine in Pommard.
Xavier Horiot’s grandfather died in 2000, and during 2011-2013 the grapes were sold while renovating the cuverie. So 2016 is the third vintage.
‘It was a fight to stop the domaine from being sold‘ – Xavier was a fighter pilot and not supposed to make wine, but his grandfather wanted him to save the domaine – and he was successful, but it took ten years in court. Only 4 hectares of domaine’s original 11.5 remain – his aunt sold all that she could, but Xavier managed to save the 2 Grand Crus – Latricières and Chambertin – both acquired by Raymond Launay in the early 1950s – plus the Rugiens, Clos Blanc and Chaponnières premier crus in Pommard. There’s also Pommard les Perrières villages – 2.2 hectares that have been kept in the family for 150 years! Xavier Horiot explains “We are growers since 1700 (in Chassagne) who settled in Pommard around 1800’s. My grandfather was one of Groupama Insurance’s founders and he finished as their CEO – this is the reason why our Domain stayed in the shadow – let’s say it was just a hobby for him while others were out building their brands!”
The wines…
As for the wines, Xavier notes that he started with destemming. Then tried layering the whole-clusters and destemmed fruit. Now he fully destems again, but with ‘less damage’ to the berries.
2016 Latricières-Chambertin
A deep and concentrated nose. Wide, concentrated, lots of depth to the flavour. Quite good length – it goes long but very subtly.
2014 Latricières-Chambertin
High toned, pretty surely some whole-clusters showing here. Lots of nicely textured tannin, ample fruit flavour – this is lovely – I like this a lot.