En Primeur | Domaine Rapet
Domaine Rapet, founded in 1765, boasts 20 hectares of some of the finest vineyards in the northern end of the Côte de Beaune. They have 21 different cuvées from 5 different villages around the town of Beaune, including an enviable two-hectare parcel of Grand Cru Corton Charlemagne. The current incumbent Vincent assumed responsibility for the domaine in 1985 at just 21, so with over 35 vintages under his belt, he is very much a senior statesman in the village of Pernand Vergelesses.
2022 Pernand Vergelesses 1er Cru En Caradeux Domaine Rapet Père et Fils
£230.00 In Bond £295.24 Inc VAT (£49.20 Per Bottle)-
Goedhuis, December 2023
This impressive Premier Cru faces the hillside of Corton Charlemagne. The cool east-facing white marl slope makes it an ideal site for growing exceptionally pure Chardonnay, a perfect position as temperatures rise throughout the Côte d’Or. A very charming wine, full of white peach and nectarine. This is a wine more subtle than it is powerful, with a very appealing expression of cracked walnuts and fresh croissant on the finish, gentle but also intense.
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Matthew Jukes, January 2024, Score: 17.5
I have long been a fan of Rapet’s relentless pursuit of perfection, and this Premier Cru is a star plot because it really does wink at Corton Charlemagne with its perfume and texture. Having said this, it is not a mini-CC, but a wine with its own identity, and I find myself drawn to it even more in 2022 because it shows beautiful flesh coupled with refinement, tension and balancing acidity.
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WK, January 2024, Score: 92
The 2022 Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru En Caradeux Blanc is lovely, offering up notes of pear, crisp stone fruit and youthful reduction, followed by a medium to full-bodied satiny and incisive palate that's racy and chiseled. It's another strong performance for this steep, stony, east-facing site. Drink 2025-2035.
2022 Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru Domaine Rapet Père et Fils
£695.00 In Bond £853.24 Inc VAT (£142.20 Per Bottle)-
Goedhuis, December 2023
Vincent categorises the vines for this fine cuvée into three groups: his younger vines under 30 years which give 30% of the cuvée, the next 30% from 30-year-old vines, and the final 40% from vines aged between 40- 60 years. All are from the Pernand Vergelesses sector of the hillside. Peony and rose petal fragrance combine with nutmeg and spice. A full and generous example of this famous Grand Cru, with an earthy structure and noticeable intensity.
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WK, January 2024, Score: 94+
Another strong performance from Rapet, the 2022 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru unwinds in the glass with aromas of pear and crisp orchard fruit mingled with toasted nuts, white flowers and waxy citrus rind. Medium to full-bodied, layered and textural, with a glossy, concentrated profile, excellent underlying cut and a long, mineral finish, it's a very good wine that still flies somewhat under the radar. Drink 2027-2042.
2022 Beaune 1er Cru Les Cents Vignes Domaine Rapet Père et Fils
£220.00 In Bond £283.24 Inc VAT (£47.20 Per Bottle)-
Goedhuis, December 2023
The light sand and limestone soil gives for a more refined style of red Beaune. The warmer 2022 conditions contribute to a wine with darker fruit characters than in some years, leading with blueberry and Morello cherry. The appealingly plump, rich fruit sits within soft rounded tannins. Charming.
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WK, January 2024, Score: 92
The 2022 Beaune 1er Cru Les Cents Vignes derives from vines that once belonged to the Château de Chorey. Offering up aromas of sweet plums, berries, spices and potpourri, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and supple, with good depth at the core and a floral finish. Drink 2025-2040.
2022 Corton Grand Cru Domaine Rapet Père et Fils
£480.00 In Bond £595.24 Inc VAT (£99.20 Per Bottle)-
Goedhuis, December 2023
The Rapet Corton comes from Pinot Noir in two different parcels on the Aloxe Corton side of the hill. The vines here are planted on red iron soil, providing substance and backbone to the naturally harmonious style of wine for which Vincent strives. A wine full of spice, fruit compote and structure, broad and scented, the tannins appear initially tender, but build in time to give class and longevity.
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WK, January 2024, Score: 93+
Rapet's 2022 Corton Grand Cru delivers aromas of red berries, cherries, vine smoke and orange zest. Full-bodied, layered and velvety, it's deep and concentrated, with a serious chassis of sweet, chalky tannins and a penetrating finish. It's now Rapet's sole Corton, as the Pougets parcel is being planted over to Chardonnay. Drink 2030-2050.