(Originally published 8 May 2018.)
When one thinks of Beaune, one thinks first of the négociants who own large portions of the vineyards. Then there are “outsiders" from other villages, such as Lafarge and de Montille in Volnay, who make Beaune wines that one frequently finds on good Burgundy lists. But there are good vignerons in Beaune producing wine, and none better that I know than Albert Morot.
When one thinks of Beaune, one thinks first of the négociants who own large portions of the vineyards. Then there are “outsiders" from other villages, such as Lafarge and de Montille in Volnay, who make Beaune wines that one frequently finds on good Burgundy lists. But there are good vignerons in Beaune producing wine, and none better that I know than Albert Morot.
As with all producers in Beaune and Savigny, Morot was badly affected by the frost in late April. No wine was produced from Grèves, Marconnets, Dessus des Marconnets, or the white Savigny vineyard. Overall, the estate produced 23 hl/ha.
Harvesting began on 21 September. All grapes were destemmed in 2016. About 30% new oak is used, a combination of Chassin Père & Fils and François Frères, and the toast is medium.
Morot bottled these wines in November 2017, and they appear to be very good for early and medium-term drinking.
2016 Beaune 1er Cru Cent Vignes
The nose of the Cent Vignes has lovely, pure dark fruits and a roundness. The mouth is smooth and pure with dense dark berry fruit, length, medium weight, and excellent balance. 92/A
2016 Beaune 1er Cru Toussaints
From a vineyard sandwiched between Cent Vignes and Grèves, the Beaune-Toussaints is a bit broader than the Cent Vignes, but shows similar dark berry fruits. 91/A-
2016 Beaune 1er Cru Aigrots
The Aigrots is quite mineral with blackberry fruit, smoothness of texture, and round tannins. This wine drinks well now and also has good aging potential. 92+/A
2016 Beaune 1er Cru Bressandes
The Bressandes is smooth and round with some breadth and dark fruits. It’s a very good expression of the terroir of the Bressandes vineyard. 92/A
2016 Beaune 1er Cru Teurons
Last in this group, the Teurons is dense and pure with dark fruit and excellent penetration. There’s more tannin showing here than in the others, not surprising, as this wine is from the southern part of Beaune, not far from Pommard. 93/A