Harvesting began on 7 September, said technical director Géraldine Godot. Yields for this estate overall were 28.5 hl/ha, which she characterized as the lower part of normal.
Following my preference, we begin with the reds.
2017 Bourgogne-Hautes Côtes de Nuits Le Mont
This wine shows somewhat high-toned red fruits in both the nose and mouth. It is medium-weight and smooth and can still use a little more time in bottle. From vines planted in 2007. 60% whole clusters, 20% new oak. 86/B
2017 Côte de Nuits-Villages Le Chapeau
The Côte de Nuits-Villages still shows a little reduction in the nose. The mouth shows more finesse than the previous wine with red fruits, lightness on palate, and a smooth texture. 15% whole clusters (lower than the previous wine because of lower acidity here), 30% new oak. 87/B
2017 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Monts des Oiseaux
This wine is from the upper part of the Clos de l’Arlot, which are the youngest vines in the Clos and mostly planted in clones. The wine is ample with good depth and significantly greater concentration than in the foregoing wines. The red fruits show good length. All destemmed, 35% new oak. (88-90)
2017 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Clos de l’Arlot
The red fruits here have a pleasing sappiness, and the wine has good depth, firmness, and concentration. The body is medium-weight and there is some power here, some spice, and a silky texture. 45% whole clusters, 40% new oak, about 45-50 years for average age of the vines. (90-93)
2017 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Clos des Forêts Saint-Georges
The Nuits-Clos des Forêts Saint-Georges has a smooth texture and is saline. This wine is not as concentrated and shows more finesse than the Clos de l’Arlot to go with the red fruits and silky texture. All destemmed, 40% new oak. (91-93)
2017 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Clos des Forêts Saint-Georges
“Hors Ligne”
This wine is made from grapes coming from the northern and southern parts of the Clos des Forêts St-Georges, vinified together. The vines were planted in 1978, which makes them about average age for the Clos. In the time of Jules Belin, previous owner, this wine was also made separately. This wine is richer and deeper with darker fruit than the regular Clos des Forêts, with more concentration but also with elegance. 75% whole clusters, 50% new wood, 3000 bottles produced. (92-94)
2017 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Suchots
Arlot’s Vosne-Suchots has floral and Suchots truffly aromas. The mouth is smooth, dense, and pure with red fruit and beet root flavors. Concentration and length are very good, too. The wine needs time to gain complexity, but there’s plenty of promise. 15% whole clusters, 40% new oak. (92-94)
2017 Romanée-Saint-Vivant
The Romanée-Saint-Vivant shows concentration, depth, finesse, and typical sensuality to its dark fruits. (93-96)
Turning to the whites:
2017 Bourgogne-Hautes Côtes de Nuits Le Mont
The vines here are located just above the Clos des Forêts-St-Georges. The nose is pure with minerality. The mouth shows mineral stoniness with apples, structure, a medium-weight body, and good intensity. The vines are 7 years-old, and may contain a bit of Chardonnay muscaté, although it doesn’t really show. 88/A
2017 Côtes de Nuits-Villages Au Leurey
This vineyard was replanted in Chardonnay in 2006. The wine is pure and clear but there is a touch of sucrosity here with some minerality to go with the apple fruit. More time in the bottle should be beneficial. 86+/B-
2017 Nuits-Saint-Georges Le Gerbotte
The Nuits, La Gerbotte From vines in the Clos de l’Arlot planted in 1992, 1993, and 2006. Shows good depth and structure but I do detect a slight bit of sweetness (3 g/l residual sugar in the wine), and hence my question mark. The wine does display nice finesse and lightness on the palate with Chardonnay fruit and some vanillins. (88-90?)
2017 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Clos de l’Arlot
The white Nuits-Clos de l’Arlot has pineapple aromas and flavors. The wine is rich with a touch of residual sugar showing (again, 3 g/l). There’s power here and a creamy texture. In blind tastings, this wine will probably prove controversial, but with a fish or white meat in a cream sauce, it should work well. (90-92?)