Louis Jadot - Côte de Nuits-Villages Le Vaucrain 2016

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

A beautiful, elegant nose; a full-bodied wine for its vintage; a profile very close to that of an ideal Nuits-Saint-Georges; remarkable value for money.

About the estate:

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 vintages. The whites are pneumatically pressed and fermented directly in barrels, where they undergo aging 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.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

Tasted from the bottle, the 2016 Côte de Nuits-Villages Le Vaucrain (Domaine Louis Jadot) is performing very well, opening up in the glass with a classic bouquet of earthy blackcurrant, wild plum, and licorice. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied to full-bodied, with a deep core of ripe yet vibrant fruit, succulent acidity, and excellent concentration, framed by fine but chalky tannins typical of Comblanchien. This vineyard adjoins Mugnier’s Clos de la Maréchale, which is classified as a Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru, and its superior location surely explains why it performs so well above its category.

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 deeply involved in Burgundy. The company boasts an exceptionally extensive range and a superb collection of terroirs, encompassing 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 beautiful 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 temporary, as the company’s reputation is at stake.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

Made from grapes grown in the village of Comblanchien, also known for its stone quarries, this wine has a juicy, succulent character that expresses both richness and freshness. Notes of red cherries and a light texture are the hallmarks of a wine that will develop quickly. Best enjoyed starting in 2022.

James Suckling