2019 - A Superb Burgundy Vintage

Organic

90-92 points Vinous
The 2019 Santenay Cuvee S comes from the lieux-dit of Les Cornieres and Les Charmes that suffered some frost when the buds fortunately were not really open, and contains 15-20% whole bunches. It has a very floral bouquet with dark berry fruit, blackcurrant, a little loamy in style. The palate is well structured with more grip than the Santenay Les Hates Village. Quite saline on the finish, I like the freshness here, but it will deserve say three years in the cellar to round out its edges.

.52 of a hectare planted in 1965. 20% whole cluster, gravity transfer to concrete tank. Indigenous yeast alcoholic fermentation with one daily punch-down until mid-fermentation and one gentle daily pump-over until the end of maceration. 12 months' aging in oak barrel (20% new), followed by 5 months in tank. SO2 not added until after malo and at bottling. Bottled on a fruit day, waning moon.

Organic

From organically farmed vines growing in granitic soils, the 2019 Aligoté Arénites exhibits aromas of sweet orchard fruit, citrus zest and white flowers. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, it’s generous and round, with lively acids and a sapid finish.

This is their oldest vineyard.

92 points Wine Advocate
The 2019 Chablis 1er Cru Les Fourchaumes Vieilles Vignes wafts from the glass with aromas of crisp orchard fruit, orange oil, pastry cream, vanilla pod and light reduction. Medium to full-bodied, ample and layered, it's girdled by bright acids and framed by chalky structuring extract. The dynamic Gr??gory Viennois, who presides over Laroche's fully 90 hectares as technical director, continues to take this large house onwards and upwards; and with every vintage, the wines seem to take on more depth and dimension. As I wrote last year, Viennois is a Chapoutier and Derenoncourt alumnus, and he is working toward more sustainable farming and moderated yields in the vineyards, eliminating the use of pesticides, herbicides and anti-botrytis treatments, as well as pressing the grapes long and hard in the winery in pursuit of structuring dry extract. Recently used oak is more subtly employed, and Laroche's early-2000s transition to screw-cap closures has been abandoned. Several cuv??es now see a longer ??levage, and a couple of new small bottlings from within Laroche's large holdings have joined the range. 2018, revisited here in bottle, has turned out well, constituting a fine success in this abundant vintage, and 2019 is more promising still.

92 points Vinous
The 2019 Chablis Les Fourchaume Vieilles Vignes 1er Cru, a selection that is raised in two demi-muids, has a glorious, vigorous bouquet of black currant leaf, white peach, Japanese yuzu and crushed rock. The taut, fresh palate is very well balanced with a fine bead of acidity and a saline finish. It needs a bit more persistence, but otherwise this has a lot of potential. Give it 2?????3 years in the cellar.

95 points Wine Spectator
A dense, muscular red, delivering dark cherry and blackberry fruit shaded by mint, tar, toasty oak, earth, iron and tobacco. This has tannins that are present, if covered by the bright fruit and fleshy texture, which exert themselves on the long, spice- and iron-inflected aftertaste. Best from 2025 through 2047.

92-94 points Vinous
The 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin Lavaux Saint-Jacques 1er Cru has a wonderful bouquet of blackberry, raspberry, rose petals and touches of melted tar; the 100% new oak is subsumed extremely well. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fleshy and ripe, displaying a touch of piquancy on the silky-smooth finish and Asian spice on the aftertaste. (Drink between 2023-2038)

94 points Vinous
The 2019 Chablis Les Blanchots Grand Cru is very well defined on the nose, where sea spray and oyster shell notes combine with citrus aromas. Hints of green olive emerge with time. The well-defined palate is taut on the entry, with hints of chai tea and chamomile infusing the white peach and citrus notes, and builds nicely toward a very composed finish. Superb.

93 points Wine Advocate
The 2019 Chablis Grand Cru Les Blanchots wafts from the glass with notions of crisp orchard fruit, white peach, apple blossom, toasted almonds and vanilla pod. Full-bodied, concentrated and reserved, with good cut and back-end grip, it concludes with a long, delicately honeyed finish. The dynamic Gr??gory Viennois, who presides over Laroche's fully 90 hectares as technical director, continues to take this large house onwards and upwards; and with every vintage, the wines seem to take on more depth and dimension. As I wrote last year, Viennois is a Chapoutier and Derenoncourt alumnus, and he is working toward more sustainable farming and moderated yields in the vineyards, eliminating the use of pesticides, herbicides and anti-botrytis treatments, as well as pressing the grapes long and hard in the winery in pursuit of structuring dry extract. Recently used oak is more subtly employed, and Laroche's early-2000s transition to screw-cap closures has been abandoned. Several cuv??es now see a longer ??levage, and a couple of new small bottlings from within Laroche's large holdings have joined the range. 2018, revisited here in bottle, has turned out well, constituting a fine success in this abundant vintage, and 2019 is more promising still.

Organic / Biodynamic

This is a blend of 3 vineyard sites, the generous character of Petits Charrons, the minerality of Casses-Tetes, and the elegance and precision of Narvaux du Dessous.

Organic / Biodynamic