(Originally published 20 April 2018.)
Bruno Clavelier said that in 2016, he produced only one barrel per hectare (2.3 hl/ha) for regional appellations. For the Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru appellations, he was able to produce three barrels per hectare (about 7 hl/ha). Village yields in Vosne were about 15 hl/ha. The Vosne premiers crus made about 27-30 hl/ha. For the Gevrey-Corbeaux and Nuits-Cras, production was more or less normal, and for the Corton, there was only a little frost damage.
Bruno Clavelier said that in 2016, he produced only one barrel per hectare (2.3 hl/ha) for regional appellations. For the Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru appellations, he was able to produce three barrels per hectare (about 7 hl/ha). Village yields in Vosne were about 15 hl/ha. The Vosne premiers crus made about 27-30 hl/ha. For the Gevrey-Corbeaux and Nuits-Cras, production was more or less normal, and for the Corton, there was only a little frost damage.
Harvesting began on 21 September and finished on the 25th. Use of stems was a bit more than usual because of the small volumes; overall it was in the 40-60% range. Malolactic fermentations were a bit earlier than usual, beginning in the spring.
As usual, the quality at this longtime organic and biodynamic estate is excellent.
2016 Bourgogne-Aligoté
This wine is from 90 year-old Aligoté Doré vines, produced without SO2, except for a little bit at the bottling. The nose shows white peach aromas. The mouth has minerality and excellent penetration, yet also with good richness. (86-89)
2016 Vosne-Romanée Les Hauts des Beaux Monts
The Vosne, Hauts des Beaux Monts has good minerality and violet aromas and flavors. It is pure and fresh with a medium-weight body. The wine is quite close to Beaux Monts in style. (89-92)
2016 Vosne-Romanée La Combe Brulée
This wine has floral aromas. The mouth shows red fruits, especially strawberries, and good acidity. The wine is light on the palate with nervosity and energy. (89-92)
2016 Vosne-Romanée Les Hautes Maizières
Moving to a lower site and heavier soils, this wine shows blue fruits in the nose and mouth. It is round with good energy and freshness. (90-93)
2016 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Corbeaux
Here we have wild strawberry aromas and flavors in a medium-light body. The wine shows the energy of Corbeaux with finesse and firmness. (92-95)
2016 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Brulées
The Vonse-Brulées has slight must aromas. The mouth is medium-light, nervy, and smooth with wild strawberry fruit, penetration, depth, and energy. (92-95)
2016 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts
Clavelier’s Vosne-Beaux Monts is medium-weight with dark fruits, minerality, and good energy. It is a very typical expression of the terroir. (92-95)
2016 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Noirots
But a single barrel (300 bottles) of this wine in 2016. The fruit here is dark and the wine is medium-weight with a smooth texture, generosity, length, and some power. (92-95)
2016 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru La Combe d’Orveaux
From a vineyard just south of Musigny, the Chambolle-Combe d’Orveaux has dark fruits, purity, minerality, and sensuality with some spices, too. One can easily see the proximity to Musigny in this wine. (93-96)
2016 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Aux Cras
From very old vines, the Nuits-Cras has red fruits typical of Cras, breadth, spice, freshness, intensity, and purity. (93-96)
2016 Corton Le Rognet
The Corton-Rognet has cocoa and spicy red fruit aromas. The mouth shows darker fruits and is fresh, powerful, firm, and complex. (93-96)