(Please see here for my overview on 2018 in the Côte d’Or.)
Bruno Clavelier said that he began harvesting on 30 August with the Corton and finished on 5 September. He used a good portion of stems – 50-60% (he uses them to layer in a way that he calls sandwiching). Malo-lactic fermentations began in winter and were done by February. This is another estate where quantities in 2018 were less than in 2017; the premiers and grands crus came in at about 37-38 hl/ha. Alcohols are in the range of 13-13.5º, with the regional wines being 12-12.5º.
Bruno Clavelier said that he began harvesting on 30 August with the Corton and finished on 5 September. He used a good portion of stems – 50-60% (he uses them to layer in a way that he calls sandwiching). Malo-lactic fermentations began in winter and were done by February. This is another estate where quantities in 2018 were less than in 2017; the premiers and grands crus came in at about 37-38 hl/ha. Alcohols are in the range of 13-13.5º, with the regional wines being 12-12.5º.
2018 Vin de France Chardonnay
Pretty floral nose. Light on palate with peach and vanilla flavors. Charming. 70 year-old vines, 37-38 hl/ha, 10% oak (but none new). 86/B+
2018 Bourgogne-Aligoté
Light on palate, good minerality. A hot year expression of the grape. 100 year-old vines, mostly Aligoté Doré, but there are other types. In order to preserve freshness, no oak. 25 hl/ha. 86+/B+
2018 Bourgogne Passetoutgrains
Some reduction in the nose. Dark fruits and black pepper on palate, good acidity and intensity. One part from 70+ year-old vines planted in both Pinot Noir and Gamay. Also some 100 year-old Pinot Noir. 35-40 hl/ha. 86+/B+
2018 Bourgogne Pinot Noir
Elegant, silky, fresh, light on the palate with good intensity to dark fruits. From a lieu-dit called Les Champs d’ Argent between Nuits and Vosne; clay soils. (86-88)
2018 Vosne-Romanée Les Hauts de Beaux Monts
Finesse, length, dark fruits, fresh, elegant. Shallow soils. Problems here with animals eating grapes because the heat made them thirsty, so yield was only 15 hl/ha. (87-89)
2018 Vosne-Romanée Combe Brulée
Dark fruits that are crunchier than those of the Hauts de Beaux Monts, also more body here. Freshness, smooth texture, light in mouth. 85 year-old vines. (88-91)
2018 Vosne-Romanée Hautes Maizières
Dark fruits, more density and more tannic than the Combe Brulée, but light on the tongue. Silky texture. Heavier soils here, better for water retention which is important in hot years such as 2018. (89-92)
2018 Vosne-Romanée La Montagne
Stony, dusty nose. Dark fruits, fresh, pure, intense, energetic. Colller climate here than for the other Vosnes above. (90-92)