Louis Jadot - Famille Gagey Beaune 1er Cru Aux Cras 2017

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

The Gagey family became involved in this veritable piece of Burgundian historical heritage 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 over the reins to his son Pierre-Henry, who now oversees the 225 hectares of vineyards. Since 2011, Frédéric Barnier has been in charge of winemaking, perfectly succeeding Jacques Lardière and further improving the consistency and homogeneity of all the wines. The whites are pneumatically pressed and fermented directly in barrels, where they are aged on lees with periodic stirring for 12 to 20 months. The red wines are vinified destemmed, uncrushed, without cold pre-fermentation, and undergo a vatting period of 25 to 27 days before beginning their 12 to 22 months of aging in barrels, a third of which are new.

Decanter

About wine:

Aux Cras is widely recognized as one of Beaune's finest premier crus. Located in the middle of the hillside, it produces wines that are relatively long on the palate. This wine is rich and deep, with plenty of body, density, and structure, well-controlled oak, and a fresh, chalky finish. 2024-2030

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About wine:

The Beaune 1er Cru Aux Cras 2017 (Domaine Gagey) presents itself beautifully, revealing an inviting bouquet of sweet red fruits, raw cocoa, and dried orange peel in the glass, already superbly integrated, although still a little shy after its recent bottling. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied to full-bodied, velvety and supple, with a fleshy core of succulent fruit framed by exquisitely refined tannins. Although already charming enough to be enjoyed young, it will reach its full potential after ten or more years of bottle aging. 2023-2045

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

This prestigious wine merchant is run with great efficiency by Pierre-Henry Gagey, who is very involved in Burgundy. The company has an extensive range and a beautiful collection of terroirs, including the main Burgundy 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 show beautiful balance, the reds are strict and severe, with woodiness dominating the fruit and even acetate notes, which this year detract from the enjoyment of certain vintages. Let's hope this is temporary, as the star is under threat.

Wine Enthusiast

About wine:

This full-bodied, generously textured wine comes from one of Beaune's lesser-known premier crus. Its structure and juicy red fruit flavors are ripe and concentrated, with a hint of smoke on the finish. Drink from 2024 onwards.

Jancis Robinson

About wine:

Bright cherry red. Light but captivating and well-balanced nose, with beautiful finesse and very delicate fruity aromas on the palate. Very lively and dynamic. Relatively early maturing. 2022-2030

Vinous

About wine:

The Beaune Cras 1er Cru 2017 has a charming, almost enveloping bouquet with aromas of macerated red cherries, raspberries, and hoisin sauce, which are perhaps the most expressive of the seven Beaune wines from Jadot that I tasted from the barrel. The palate is medium-bodied, with a fleshy and fairly generous attack, and numerous notes of red plum, strawberry, and light marmalade. The Beaune Cras has a slight tension that exerts a persistent grip towards the lingering finish. This is another very fine Beaune from Jadot. 2020-2032

James Suckling