Allen Meadows 2018
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"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+