Profile: Domaine des Comtes Lafon (Meursault)
The relatively understated roads that leave the centre of Meursault are dotted with a mix of small and rather grander buildings. The Domaine des Comtes Lafon is far from one of the largest, but is still reeks of different time; it’s outbuilding previously being kennels for hunting dogs and stables… Read More
2022 Burgundy – A Summary
29 March 2022: Pruning for poles – En Echalas – the new vogue… Just one summary? For central Burgundy – ie before I visit Chablis and Beaujolais – yes, just one. In the years that you’ve paid me to write these annual reports, this is the first time that I’ve… Read More
JA Ferret – 2022
Tasted with Clément Robinet, in Fuissé, 30 October 2023. Domaine Ferret 61, rue du Plan 719 60 Fuissé Tel: +33 3 85 35 61 56 www.domaine-ferret.com More reports with Domaine Ferret My first visit after the departure of Audrey Braccini. Clément Robinet is the replacement for Audrey, he was previously… Read More
Latour-Giraud – 2022
Tasted in Meursault with ‘Mr Genevrières’ Jean-Pierre Latour, 02 November 2023 Domaine Latour-Giraud 6 Route D974 21190 Meursault Tel: +33 3 80 21 21 43 www.domaine-latour-giraud.com More reports with Domaine Latour-Giraud Jean-Pierre on 2023: “Yes, I was very pleased with the harvest I think we harvested some lovely grapes. ”… Read More
2023 Harvesting…
DRC Montrachet Romanée St.Vivant Green harvesting Richebourg Well, nearly! Some are already at it but my first harvest day will be Saturday. I did a bit of a tour… Read More
weekend wines – week 12 2023…
Actually, I haven’t written anything about last weekend’s wines – I’ll get back to you on those! 2014 Verret, Chablis 1er Beauroy l’Ame du domaine Plenty of colour. The nose has a light caramel note but also a vibrating width of riper citrus – almost tending to… Read More
Olivier Merlin – 2021
Tasted with Corinne Merlin, 06 February 2023. Domaine Merlin 106 Chemin du Lavoir 71960 La Roche-Vineuse Tel: +33 3 85 36 62 09 merlin-vins.com More reports on Domaine Merlin I’ve tasted the wines of this domaine many times, but this was the first time that I actually visited their domaine… Read More
Frantz Chagnoleau – 2021
Tasted with Frantz & Caroline Chagnoleau-Gon in Hurigny, 04 November 2022. Domaine Frantz Chagnoleau Le Carruge 18 Chemin Des Prés 71960 Pierreclos Tel: +33 6 80 65 13 19 www.domainefrantzchagnoleau.fr More reports with Domaine Frantz Chagnoleau Frantz on 2022: “We worried about frost at the start of the year. A… Read More
2022 Beaujolais Nouveau – as good as it gets!
The 2022 vintage:The 2021-2022 winter was long and, compared to most of the recent years, relatively cold. Frosts were commonplace until the beginning of April so probably because of that, budburst - in the second half of April - was relatively late. At this time, the domaines were already noting a lack of rain in the vineyards.
May was a warm and dry one: 50% less rainfall than normal plus more sunshine than usual - it was the warmest May on record since 1959.
The vines grew quickly and flowering took place in ideal, if early, conditions. Despite the dryness of May, there was sufficient rain in June to avoid issues with the vines even if the quantity of rainfall remained much below the average. It was in July that (not just!) the Beaujolais saw successive waves of hot weather - again lacking rain - it was the driest July for 33 years with 8mm of rain instead of an average of 68mm! This meant that the sanitary conditions of the vines couldn't have been better.
The harvest was very early - from the middle of August! The hot weather had reduced the amount of malic acid in the grapes but concentrated the amount of tartaric acid. Despite a little more rain in the area of Beaujolais Villages, the wines were concentrated and volumes were modest, so unlike in 2020, it was rarely possible for domaines to 'take advantage' of the volumes on offer - so there is a consistency in the concentration and ripeness in these 2022s.
Many thanks to the team at Château du Moulin à Vent for some of their vintage insight.
The best wines:
I just hope that you have some chance to find such domaine wines. Last year my local (Swiss) coop had only one, which was bottled just for them - no producer info - and that was probably just as well because it was rubbish!
Whilst there were few 'great wines' in the equivalent tasting of 2021s, last year, those that were, clearly stood out from the crowd. In 2022 it was more difficult because the average quality was very consistent and as high as I have seen it - in this respect it reminds me very much of the 2019 vintage. From 100 wines there was one that was corked - the second bottle was fine - and only one wine where I directly said 'NO!' - I wouldn't put this one in my mouth a second time!
Any complaints?
Actually, yes! Why so many heavy, statement, bottles? - 'Prestigious cuvées?' This is Beaujolais Nouveau for God's sake. WTF!?
4 Great wines:
Dominique Piron: Beaujolais AND Beaujolais Villages
Domaine de Colette, Natur’Elle de Colette, Villages
Domaine des Nugues Villages
12 Excellent Wines - Beaujolais:
Jean Yves Sonnery
Anthony Charvet, Beaujo Beau
JM Aujoux, La vie est belle
Frédéric Berne
Domaine Perthuizet, Gégé
Trenel
Château de L’Eclair
Domaine des Prévellières
Julien Bertrand
Brossette Paul André et Fils
Agamy, Domaine du Solémy
8 Excellent Wines - Beaujolais Villages:
Château de Vaux De Vermont Yannick
Vignobles Jambon, Pure
Domaine Péchard Tano
David Berougon
Jean-Paul Dubost, Beaujolais Lantignié
Domaine du Clos du Fief
Château de Pougelon
Jean Yves Sonnery, Cuvée Elégance
Click on 'Read More...' below to see the full notes for 100 wines in the order that they were (blind) tasted:
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