En Primeur | Grands Crus

Tasting Notes

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  Goedhuis, December 2020

  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 aged vines between 40- 60 years. A very impressive wine with aromas of quince and melon. Full, powerful and concentrated, but not to excess. A touch of toffee and fudge on the finish, wonderfully appealing and very long.

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  Wine Advocate, January 2021,
  Score: 94+

  The 2019 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru is performing very well, mingling notes of crisp orchard fruit and orange oil with hints of nutmeg, toasted almonds, white flowers and clear honey. Full-bodied, layered and concentrated, it's muscular and multidimensional, with tangy acids and a taut, chiseled profile that's built for the cellar.

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  Jasper Morris MW, December 2020,
  Score: 96

  If you want the technobabble, the vines here are now ‘tressed’ rather than hedged and vinification takes place in a couple of cement eggs as well as barrel. The vines are mostly in En Charlemagne with a small part in Le Charlemagne. Attractive lemon and lime colour, lovely stylish and very classic bouquet. Terrific tension behind, no feeling of heat, a crystalline minerality and exceptional persistence. Very fine indeed. 4 stars

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Tasting Notes

• 

  Goedhuis, November 2020

  It is rare to see this Grand Cru. With 7 of the 9 hectares owned by the local co-op, Droin is one of only a small handful of domaines to produce Les Grenouilles. It is the lowest Grand Cru on the slope and one of the cooler vineyards, giving wines that are typically light-footed and graceful with a beautiful mineral backbone. With age the Droin bottling generally takes on a gorgeous richness and complexity.

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  Burghound, November 2020,
  Score: 94

  This too is moderately reduced with some post-bottling sulfur in evidence so again, I would advise decanting it first if you're going to crack a bottle upon release. More interesting are the round, caressing and solidly intense flavors that possess the best concentration in the entire range while delivering positively huge length on the markedly spicy finish. I was seriously impressed with this and moreover, it's rare that the Grenouilles outperforms both the Les Clos and Vaudésir chez Droin. Drink 2027+

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  Jasper Morris MW, December 2020,
  Score: 92-96

  Pale colour, but offering a powerful nose, with its characteristic spices. This is very harmonious on the palate, fills the mouth, waves of clean fresh fruit come through at the back. Grenouilles can live with the style of the vintage. 50% wood does not show. Lovely balanced complex aftertaste. This wine slightly exceeds 14% alcohol, but if any one Chablis vineyard can cope with that, it is Grenouilles. 4 stars.

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Tasting Notes

• 

  Goedhuis, November 2020,
  Score: 92-94

  Les Preuses is a sunny south facing vineyard high on the slope. The wines from this Grand Cru can be more approachable in their youth and the stony soils mean they often have a beautiful, steely personality. Supple and poised, with the acidity and minerality to evolve for decades.

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  Burghound, December 2020,
  Score: 92-94

  Firm reduction masks the underlying fruit at present. The delicious medium weight flavors also possess almost painful intensity along with outstanding minerality that is enhanced by the clean, crisp and strikingly persistent finish. This too is going to need extended forbearance.

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  Decanter, October 2020,
  Score: 95

  Taking its name from 'pierre' (stone), Preuses is located high on the Grand Cru slope, facing south/southwest, with plenty of exposure. Although the warmth of the vintage comes through this is a fine Preuses. The palate shows purity of stone-fruit, combined with a citrus-zest, mineral character on both the nose and palate. Already approachable but there is so much more potential to come. Finishes with a long, savoury, lingering aftertaste. Drink 2022-2030

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  Jasper Morris MW, December 2020,
  Score: 93-96

  From 70 year old vines, which consistently deliver a powerful wine every year. The 2019 has an all-enveloping nose, since this vineyard can carry the sunshine, very complete and the fruit just keeps coming. A touch of sucrosity, but good acidity behind, lemon scented, with a touch of tannin at the back. Long, powerful and balanced. 4 stars.

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Tasting Notes

• 

  Goedhuis, November 2020

  Initially the most reserved of the Billaud-Simon line up of wines, but that is to be expected for this is a wine with broader shoulders and real muscle. It isn’t designed to show all its colours young, but there is so much to it. Very controlled scent of jasmine and gardenia. It has a structured mineral drive, and is layered, full and hugely intense. Top class with enormous ageing potential.

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  Burghound, November 2020,
  Score: 90-93

  Subtle but not invisible wood surrounds the softly exotic aromas of both white and yellow orchard that flash solid Chablis character in the form of iodine and oyster shell. The sleek, sophisticated and attractively vibrant middle weight flavors possess good volume and while the finish isn't quite as precise, I like the balance of the tightly coiled finish. Drink 2027+

• 

  Decanter, October 2020,
  Score: 92

  Vaudésir is a 15ha site, notable for a high percentage of clay, and a double exposure with some vines facing north, others south. There are plenty of honeyed, zesty citrus fruits in this example with good concentration and bright acidity. Not my absolute favourite Grand Cru but there is still plenty of precision here. Will undoubtedly improve with further maturation in bottle. Drink 2022-2030

• 

  Matthew Jukes, November 2020,
  Score: 18.5

  Chablis, Grand Cru Vaudésir, Billaud-Simon Looking suitably Grand, this is a more statuesque creation with obvious flair and a little more opulence than Valmur and this makes it a cut above if only because the fruit and impact are more obvious. The mid-palate is sleek and bright and this is the key to this wine’s success. If this were fatter or heavier it would not have the momentum and bounce required on the palate. But because this is such a toned creature its cadence is enlivening. Not a massively long-lived wine but a very rewarding one, this is the top cuvée for B-S in 2019. Drink 2024-2032

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  Jasper Morris MW, December 2020,
  Score: 92-95

  From three plots, vinified in tank and then racked into wood. Olivier found it a bit austere, so wanted to fatten it out and add complexity. Iodine notes starting to be teased out on the nose. This is an excellent expression of the vineyard bolstered by the ripeness of the vintage, but still entirely within limits. Very long pure white fruit aftertaste. 4 stars.

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Tasting Notes

• 

  Goedhuis, November 2020,
  Score: 93

  Vaudésir is always one of the most approachable Grands Crus in the cellar. The vineyard stretches across a bend in the slope and the wines are typically quite generous and floral, displaying mineral depths and a firm acidity. This cuvée sees some oak which results in a beautiful, rich style of this famous Grand Cru.

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  Burghound, December 2020,
  Score: 93

  Subtle but not invisible wood sets off aromas of white flowers, citrus, a whiff of exotic fruit and wet chalk. The rich yet elegantly textured medium weight flavors possess a lovely sense of underlying tension before terminating in a focused and exceptionally long finish. This is noticeably firmer than any of the prior wines and a wine that should age effortlessly over most of the next decade.

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  Jasper Morris MW, December 2020,
  Score: 92-96

  Pale lime notes, a weight of fruit, not exotic, but still clearly ripe. Even quite discreet, but it is all there. Really interesting, detailed range of flavours, some orange zest then a little prickle of minerality, next up is, some yellow fruit, then a long classical finish. The Corton Charlemagne of Chablis, Benoît suggests. 4 stars.

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• 

  Goedhuis, December 2020

  If pushed Clos de la Bèze would be my Grand Cru of choice in the village of Gevrey Chambertin. It has such a stately air. Impressively multifaceted: autumnal hedgerow fruits, liquorice, Moroccan spice, and an earthy terroir undertone. It is almost monolithic in its richness and yet everything is in balance. The perfect combination of fruits, alcohol, tannic core, freshness, and flavour complexity. A cracker.

Tasting Notes

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  Goedhuis, December 2020

  One of the highlights of the tasting. An intense nose of sweet summer pudding berries. This is a naturally attention seeking wine, keen to show and fully aware of its qualities. Despite all the abundance of everything, no one character dominates another, everything is beautifully integrated. Magnificent.

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  Neal Martin, December 2020,
  Score: 91-93

  The 2019 Chambertin Grand Cru has a slightly lactic bouquet and needs more time to fully subsume the oak. Quite high-toned at the moment; I prefer the Clos de la Roche when the two are compared. The palate is medium-bodied with juicy ripe tannins and layers of black fruit laced with pain grillé and black pepper. Delivering fine grip on the finish, this Chambertin does exit with style. It is just the aromatics that need to pull their socks up during the remainder of élevage. Drink 2024 - 2040

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Tasting Notes

• 

  Goedhuis, December 2020

  One of the highlights of the tasting. An intense nose of sweet summer pudding berries. This is a naturally attention seeking wine, keen to show and fully aware of its qualities. Despite all the abundance of everything, no one character dominates another, everything is beautifully integrated. Magnificent.

• 

  Neal Martin, December 2020,
  Score: 91-93

  The 2019 Chambertin Grand Cru has a slightly lactic bouquet and needs more time to fully subsume the oak. Quite high-toned at the moment; I prefer the Clos de la Roche when the two are compared. The palate is medium-bodied with juicy ripe tannins and layers of black fruit laced with pain grillé and black pepper. Delivering fine grip on the finish, this Chambertin does exit with style. It is just the aromatics that need to pull their socks up during the remainder of élevage. Drink 2024 - 2040

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Tasting Notes

• 

  Goedhuis, December 2020

  At 17 hectares, Clos de la Roche is a large Grand Cru with a degree of diversity. At its best it has a deep, wild, savoury personality and competes with the cream of the Côte de Nuits. Nicolas Potel has crafted an exceptional example in 2019. A wealth of rich loganberry and tayberry fruits. Initially flamboyant and fruit-focused, then the texture and weight evolve to give great breadth and richness. There’s an appealing zip of freshness on the long, sweet, ripe finish.

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  Neal Martin, December 2020,
  Score: 92-94

  The 2019 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, matured with 50% whole bunch, has a well-defined bouquet of dark berry fruit, white pepper and light orange peel scents, becoming more mineral-driven with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with a tart entry, fine grip and a saline, lightly spiced finish that conveys a sense of joy. Plenty of energy is locked inside this Grand Cru, and it has impressive length. This is definitely worth checking out. Two barrels produced. Drink 2024 - 2040

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Tasting Notes

• 

  Goedhuis, December 2020

  At 17 hectares, Clos de la Roche is a large Grand Cru with a degree of diversity. At its best it has a deep, wild, savoury personality and competes with the cream of the Côte de Nuits. Nicolas Potel has crafted an exceptional example in 2019. A wealth of rich loganberry and tayberry fruits. Initially flamboyant and fruit-focused, then the texture and weight evolve to give great breadth and richness. There’s an appealing zip of freshness on the long, sweet, ripe finish.

• 

  Neal Martin, December 2020,
  Score: 92-94

  The 2019 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, matured with 50% whole bunch, has a well-defined bouquet of dark berry fruit, white pepper and light orange peel scents, becoming more mineral-driven with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with a tart entry, fine grip and a saline, lightly spiced finish that conveys a sense of joy. Plenty of energy is locked inside this Grand Cru, and it has impressive length. This is definitely worth checking out. Two barrels produced. Drink 2024 - 2040

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Tasting Notes

• 

  Goedhuis, December 2020

  The smallest Grand Cru Clos in Morey St Denis, so always a bit of a rarity. A subtle blend of dark Valrhona dark chocolate and sweet wild strawberry flavours. This is beautifully delicate and so layered, balancing red and black fruits. There is a fine line of freshness and tremendous persistence on the finish. No mistaking this is Grand Cru!

Tasting Notes

• 

  Goedhuis, December 2020

  The smallest Grand Cru Clos in Morey St Denis, so always a bit of a rarity. A subtle blend of dark Valrhona dark chocolate and sweet wild strawberry flavours. This is beautifully delicate and so layered, balancing red and black fruits. There is a fine line of freshness and tremendous persistence on the finish. No mistaking this is Grand Cru!

Tasting Notes

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  Goedhuis, December 2020

  Poised and restrained, this wine showcases the best of this 40 hectare Grand Cru in Flagey Echezeaux. Sweet alpine fruits, the tannins have a fine sandy quality. It flows through the palate and reveals impressive length. A true Grand Cru with huge pedigree.

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  Neal Martin, December 2020,
  Score: 91-93

  The 2019 Echézeaux Grand Cru is almost completely destemmed and raised in 20% new oak. It has a lovely, lilting bouquet of high-toned blueberry and incense aromas that are nicely focused and not excessive. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, and very pure and silky in texture. A subtle peppery note emerges toward the finish. Good matière here; this is an Echézeaux that should mature with grace. Drink 2024 - 2042

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Tasting Notes

• 

  Goedhuis, December 2020

  Poised and restrained, this wine showcases the best of this 40 hectare Grand Cru in Flagey Echezeaux. Sweet alpine fruits, the tannins have a fine sandy quality. It flows through the palate and reveals impressive length. A true Grand Cru with huge pedigree.

• 

  Neal Martin, December 2020,
  Score: 91-93

  The 2019 Echézeaux Grand Cru is almost completely destemmed and raised in 20% new oak. It has a lovely, lilting bouquet of high-toned blueberry and incense aromas that are nicely focused and not excessive. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, and very pure and silky in texture. A subtle peppery note emerges toward the finish. Good matière here; this is an Echézeaux that should mature with grace. Drink 2024 - 2042

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Tasting Notes

• 

  Goedhuis, December 2020

  A really lovely Richebourg, wonderfully scented red cherry fruit. It starts off shy and then slowly builds up in the palate with a feeling of succulent fruit and silky volume. The fruit shows a degree of ripeness. This is classy, rich and intense, very layered and always with a flowing freshness.

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  Neal Martin, December 2020,
  Score: 92-94

  The 2019 Richebourg Grand Cru is more expressive on the nose compared directly with the Romanée-Saint-Vivant, offering dark plum, violet, shaved black truffle and a touch of black tea, and more sous-bois scents emerging with aeration – very complex. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip on the entry. This is well balanced even if it does not quite convey the arching structure that I seek in a top Richebourg. Maybe it has something up its sleeve. Drink 2025 - 2045

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Tasting Notes

• 

  Goedhuis, December 2020

  A really lovely Richebourg, wonderfully scented red cherry fruit. It starts off shy and then slowly builds up in the palate with a feeling of succulent fruit and silky volume. The fruit shows a degree of ripeness. This is classy, rich and intense, very layered and always with a flowing freshness.

• 

  Neal Martin, December 2020,
  Score: 92-94

  The 2019 Richebourg Grand Cru is more expressive on the nose compared directly with the Romanée-Saint-Vivant, offering dark plum, violet, shaved black truffle and a touch of black tea, and more sous-bois scents emerging with aeration – very complex. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip on the entry. This is well balanced even if it does not quite convey the arching structure that I seek in a top Richebourg. Maybe it has something up its sleeve. Drink 2025 - 2045

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