Géraldine Godot, the technical director of this biodynamic estate, said that losses in 2016 represented 70% of a normal crop. For the estate as a whole, the yield was 11 hl/ha.
Harvesting in 2016 began on 27 September and lasted six days. Malolactic fermentations were quite quick, finishing by the end of December. The percentages of whole clusters were quite high — not just because that is common practice here, but also because the stems were necessary to fill up the fermenting tanks. As a consequence, except for Clos de l’Arlot and Clos des Forêts Saint-Georges, the reds are entirely whole cluster. All the reds have 50% or less new oak.
There was some acidification for the Hautes Côtes de Nuits in red and white and also for the Côte de Nuits-Villages, Nuits-Clos de l'Arlot, and Vosne-Suchots.
The white wines were already in tank, the reds still in barrel. The whites and the red Bourgogne-Hautes Côtes de Nuits will be bottled in December, the other wines in April of next year.
Here, we start with the white wines:
2016 Bourgogne-Hautes Côtes de Nuits blanc
This wine is a new one for the estate, with 2016 being the first year it has been commercially available. The peach fruit is complemented by spices and a smooth texture. The wine is long and pleasant, with moderate acidity. (85-88)
2016 Nuits-Saint-Georges La Gerbotte blanc
This wine, essentially the second wine of the Clos de l’Arlot, has a smooth, oily texture. The wine is light and easy-to-drink with mineral aromas and flavors. It should probably be best for early drinking. 20% new oak on this wine. (86-89)
2016 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Clos de l’Arlot blanc
The Clos de l’Arlot blanc shows butter hints in the nose. The mouth is rich, pure, and focused with lime fruit and moderate acidity. 20% new oak here, too. (88-92)
In red:
2016 Bourgogne-Hautes Côtes de Nuits rouge
This wine is from vines planted in 2006 or 2007. It shows good, crisp red fruits with some minerality. It is simple but enjoyable. (86-89)
2016 Côtes de Nuits-Villages Clos du Chapeau
The excellent Clos du Chapeau shows more power, depth, and substance than the Hautes Côtes de Nuits. It features cherry fruit. It should provide good drinking young and also has aging potential. (89-92)
2016 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Clos de l’Arlot
The monopole Clos de l’Arlot shows excellent depth and purity to go with smoky dark fruits and a round body. (90-94)
2016 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Suchots
The wine shows typical truffly Suchots aromas and flavors to go with dark fruits and minerality. It’s a less big, more elegant, wine than the Clos de l’Arlot. This wine is a good expression of Suchots terroir. (91-95)
2016 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Clos des Forêts Saint-Georges
Yield for this monopole was just 9 hl/ha., although the size of the vineyard means that there is nevertheless a fairly substantial amount of this wine. It shows smoky dark black cherry fruit with minerality, and there’s good length here and ripe tannins. The vines are roughly 30 to 60 years-old, with an average age of about 45. (91-95)
2016 Romanée-Saint-Vivant
The RSV is mineral and pure with young red and blue fruits, spiciness, and some sensuality. It needs more time to develop. (92-96)