"Domaine
Clos de la Chapelle did extremely well in 2018" -
Allen Meadows
Red Wines
2018
Beaune 1er cru "Les Teurons":
(from a .27 ha holding). A notably ripe nose
features notes of poached plum, red and dark cherry and a whiff of spice, all
of which is trimmed in just enough wood to merit pointing out. There is fine
vibrancy to the nicely detailed middle weight flavors that possess both good
power and mid-palate density, all wrapped in a lingering, complex and mildly
warm finale. 91 pts/2026+
2018 Beaune 1er cru "Champs
Pimont":
(from a .63 ha holding).
This too is notably ripe with similar aromas of poached plum, spice, violet and
a more subtle hint of wood influence. The sleek and delicious medium weight
flavors possess a slightly finer texture though the firmer mocha-inflected
finish reflects a more obvious touch of warmth.
90 pts/2028+
2018 Volnay 1er cru "En
Carelle":
A slightly cooler and more
restrained nose reluctantly offers up notes of spicy dark berry liqueur-like
aromas. The delicious and vibrant if slightly less concentrated flavors possess
evident minerality on the firm, dusty and more refreshing finale. This is
lovely and very Carelle in character, which is to say a wine of finesse. 92
pts/2028+ Sweet Spot Selection
2018 Volnay 1er cru "Les
Taillepieds":
A broad-ranging nose
displays very ripe aromas of baked plum, cassis, earth and menthol spice
nuances. There is better freshness in the mouth to the detailed, mineral-driven
and highly energetic medium-bodied flavors that culminate in a dusty, serious
and moderately austere finale. This will definitely need at least a few years of
bottle age before it will be ready for prime time. 91 pts/2030+
2018 Volnay 1er cru "Clos de
la Chapelle":
(a .55 ha monopole).
This is aromatically similar to the En Carelle as the dark berry and
spice-suffused nose is cool and restrained. The elegant, pure and appealingly
vibrant flavors exude a fine bead of minerality on the impressively long,
refined and balanced finale. This is virtually always a wine of finesse, and it
remains so even in a vintage like 2018. In a word, excellent. 93 pts/2030+
Sweet Spot Selection
2018 Pommard 1er cru "Les
Chanlins Vieilles Vignes":
(from a
.25 ha parcel). A very ripe nose that isn't especially fresh features notes of
roasted plum and black cherry liqueur that are cut with just enough earth to
notice. The super-rich and opulent flavors possess impressive volume and
concentration, all wrapped in a thick, palate coating and mildly warm finish
where a touch of minerality helps to add a sense of lift. The firm and dense
but fine tannins confirm that this will need extended cellaring for them to
resolve. It's possible that the slightly flat nose has been negatively affected
by the recent bottling as the palate impression is considerably fresher. 90
pts/2033+
2018 Pommard 1er cru "Les
Grands Epenots":
This too is quite ripe
but manages to retain a better sense of freshness on the liqueur-like aromas of
plum, spice and warm earth. There is fine mid-palate density to the rich and
attractively textured larger-scaled flavors that coat the mouth with dry
extract before terminating in a vibrant, dusty and built-to-age finale. Good
stuff with fine supporting acidity. 92 pts/2033+
2018
Corton-Bressandes Grand Cru:
Once again the nose is very ripe though the
fruit spectrum does include some red berry nuances amongst the mostly plum and
dark cherry scents. The medium weight flavors are not as concentrated as those
of the Epenots while displaying a dusty and linear finish that, while not
short, isn't as persistent as the best in the range. This is awkward at present
though my sense is that this will ultimately harmonize as the tannins, while
definitely firm, appear to be phenolically mature and thus my rating offers the
benefit of the doubt.
92
pts
/2033+
White Wines
2018 Beaune 1er cru "Reversées" blanc:
A relatively phenolic nose (think olive
or nut oil nuances) also flashes notes of white peach, pear and citrus. There
is both good vibrancy and detail to the delicious and lightly stony middle
weight flavors that terminate in an attractively dry, crisp and refreshing
finish. 89 pts/ 2023+
2018 Pernand-Verglesses 1er cru "Sous
Frétille":
Cool aromas are comprised
mostly by various citrus and floral scents though there is enough post-bottling
SO2 lurking in the background to warrant decanting this if you're going to try
a bottle upon release. Here too there a lovely sense of tension and delineation
to the medium-bodied flavors that also clean, dry and refreshing. This could
use a bit more depth, but more should develop if this is allowed a few years of
bottle age. 90 pts/ 2023+
2018 Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru:
A notably more restrained nose timidly offers up its array of
lemongrass, green apple, white flower and more subtle phenolic nuance. There is
outstanding intensity to the mineral and soil-inflected larger-scaled flavors
that possess excellent cut and focused power on the dry, compact and sneaky
long finish. This is clearly at another level compared to the first two wines
with what appears to be very fine development potential. 93 pts/ 2028+
