"Les Grèves" 1er Cru de Beaune 2015

 The vintage

2015 began with a mild and rainy winter, essential to increase the water table level. The very sunny and warm weather quickly dominated and characterized this vintage. Early budding out was encouraged by the mild temperatures of April. And with the same trend, the temperatures of late May and June allowed a serene flowering in both our Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune vineyards. The months of July and August showed warmer temperatures than average, even at night, though without the heat waves like in 2003. As the heat and drought began to delay the veraison and the vines started suffering, the rains in mid-August saved them and helped revive maturation. The vines grew almost ideally and produced impeccable quality fruit; with small berries and thick skins full of anthocyanins.

We started harvesting our whites on August 29st with a lot of freshness and very nice acidities. As for the reds, the analyses and the ripeness were so encouraging, that we started the harvest on September 1st.

The Phenolic maturities perfectly completed, there were only leaves and insects to be removed from the sorting table. Such a great quality of ripe grapes could only produce perfectly balanced wines and allowed us to use high percentage of whole cluster for the winemaking.

The reds with purple and deep robes, exalt their fruity and floral bouquets. On the palate the tannins are dense and of great maturity. It will however be necessary to be patient before being able to appreciate, the full potential of this exceptional vintage in red. It is similar to 2005 and ageing theses wine at least ten years, is strongly recommended for all our 1er Crus, except perhaps, Beaune 1er cru "Les Sizies".

The only cloud on the horizon for this vintage, is the low yields due to the lack of juice in the grapes. But for sure, this will soon be forgotten when tasting these wines!

Tasting notes

Here the wood regimen is more discreet if not invisible as it easily allows the markedly earth and floral-scented dark berry fruit aromas to be appreciated. There is fine richness to the sleek and concentrated medium weight plus flavors that exude a more subtle bead of minerality on the muscular and youthfully austere finish where a touch of bitter cherry arises. This is very good and should amply reward mid-term cellaring.

Score: 91-93                        Tasted: Apr 15, 2017          Drink: 2023+                     Issue: 66               Outstanding

Allen Meadows - Burghound