Louis Jadot - Beaune 1er Cru Célébration 2018

The Gagey family’s involvement with this true gem of Burgundy’s historical heritage began upon the death of Louis-Auguste Jadot. With no heir, the estate was entrusted in 1962 to André Gagey, who remained its manager until 1991, when he handed the reins to his son Pierre-Henry, who now oversees the 225 hectares of vineyards. Since 2011, winemaking has been overseen by Frédéric Barnier, who has seamlessly succeeded Jacques Lardière, further improving the consistency and uniformity of all the vintages. The white wines are pneumatically pressed and fermented directly in barrels, where they are aged on the lees with periodic stirring for 12 to 20 months. The red wines are vinified with the stems removed but without crushing, without cold pre-fermentation, and undergo a vatting period of 25 to 27 days before beginning their aging for 12 to 22 months in barrels, one-third of which are new.

The 2018 Beaune 1er Cru Célébration (Maison Louis Jadot) opens with aromas of sweet berries, cherries, and plums, framed by a skillful use of toasted new oak. It is medium-bodied to full-bodied, deep and layered, with a luscious core of fruit structured around rich tannins and succulent acidity. This is a powerful and generous wine that should age beautifully in the cellar. As usual, it is a blend of more than a dozen Beaune Premier Crus.

This prestigious wine merchant is run with great efficiency by Pierre-Henry Gagey, who is deeply involved in Burgundy. The company boasts an exceptionally extensive range and a superb collection of terroirs, including the major Burgundian appellations. Frédéric Barnier, who has been in charge of winemaking since 2012, is gradually making his mark by refining the wines. Consistency is one of this house’s strengths. While the whites display lovely balance, the reds are austere and severe, with oak notes that dominate the fruit—and even hints of acetate that, this year, make it difficult to assess certain vintages. Let’s hope this is only temporary, as the company’s reputation is at stake.

The 2018 Beaune 1er Cru Célébration offers crisp red fruit on the nose, with crushed strawberries mingling with raspberry jam and cranberry. In the background, there are subtle notes of vanilla. The whole experience is disarmingly seductive (even more so the next day). On the palate, it is medium-bodied, with a very soft and silky texture. The palate reveals aromas of tart red cherries and crushed strawberries; the wine has modest depth and a cashmere-like texture. [...]