(Please see my overview of the 2018 vintage in the Côte d’Or here.)
David Duband said that harvesting began on 3 September. The first grapes to come in were at 12.5-13º potential alcohol, and after nine days, the grapes being harvested were still in the mid-13’s. Yields were good, comparable to 2017: 35 hl/ha for the grands crus, 45-48 hl/ha for the premiers crus, and 50 hl/ha for the village wines. Whole clusters were 60% for the Hautes Côtes and village wines, 75% for the premier cru wines, and 90% for the grands crus. Vinification was standard; no modifications of punching down (pigeage) or other aspects. Malolactic fermentations went very fast.
(Wines bottled under the Feuillet label are identical to those bottled under the Duband label.)
(Wines bottled under the Feuillet label are identical to those bottled under the Duband label.)
2018 Bourgogne-Hautes Côtes de Nuits cuvée Louis-Auguste
Smooth, pure red fruits; easy, delicious, balanced. Excellent quality. (87-89)
2018 Chambolle-Musigny
Very elegant. Medium-weight. Red fruits. (88-90)
2018 Gevrey-Chambertin
Iron nose. Medium-weight, smooth, red fruits, elegant. (88-90)
2018 Nuits-Saint-Georges
From the Charmottes, Aux St-Juliens, and Les Plateaux climats. Floral nose. Red fruits, smooth, elegant, medium-light weight, pure. (89-92)
2018 Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Clos Sorbè
Red fruits, light, elegant, pure, long. (91-93)
2018 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Aux Thorey
Sweetness from dark and red fruit, slight smokiness, more weight than the preceding wines. Nice depth, smooth texture. (91-93)
2018 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Pruliers
Deep, pure, dense, smoky, intense, medium-weight. Good length. (92-94)
2018 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Sentiers
Spiced dark fruit aromas and flavors. Mouth is smooth, dense, elegant; silky texture. (92-94)
2018 Echézeaux
Sensual, smooth, red fruits, a little bit of iron, some spice. From the Rouges du Bas climat. (92-95)
2018 Clos de la Roche
Didn’t receive much hail in 2017, no not much of the extra vigor (high yields) that comes the year after hail. Intense, nervy, dark fruit nose. In mouth, dark fruits, power, freshness. (93-96)
2018 Latricières-Chambertin
Dense, deep, dark, energetic, nervy, airy. Very good Latricières. (93-96)
2018 Chambertin
Dark fruits, not quite as fresh as Latricières. Good power and balance. (92-95)