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Visit Domaine Dujac tasting of the 2016s from cask

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Dujac 2016 and 2015s on the menu on this fine November day – a unique possibility to taste these two quite magnificent vintages side by side.

So I was really looking forward to this event, as Jeremy Seysses generously was ready to pop the corks on most of the 2015 program for a few gentlemen of the Wine press – and then me!.

As I see the 2016 vintage rivalling the 2015s at some estates – this was really a showdown at O.K. Corral or if you like at C.d.l. Bussiere – with plenty of wines to compare.

I tasted the 2015 Dujac’s in January 2016, so still had these in my tasting memory, and found them very fine indeed, but also that some wines were cooler than others – and I had some clear favourites among the cooler wines.

To be honest the 2015s in general have performed better than expected from bottle – fresher and more energetic – and while it’s perhaps not the ideal time to taste the bottled 2015s – most of them did show very well at this re-tasting from half bottles in November 2017.

In general it’s a rather close race between the vintages – but in some cases when the 2015s are at their best, I do feel that these are a notch better than the 2016s.

The 2016s are in general cooler, more defined and well structured, offering a lovely display of terroir. They are indeed more classic in a way – although the very low yiels in some cases actually make them quite far from classic.

The 2015s are bigger and more generous – and when they are truly balanced and on the cooler side, then they are indeed difficult to match.

But let the battle commence.

Tasting Notes – Domaine Dujac 2016s

First out some Negociant wines – more than tasted in the 2015 vintage – and a very exiting new bottling this year – a Nuits-Saint-Georges Aux Cras … I do love this terroir.

Dujac Fils et Pere, Gevrey Chambertin 2016

The Gevrey village is forward in the lighter style Dujac have employed for their negociant wines. The nose is forward – red and dark berries – variations of cherries and raspberries. On the palate medium weight – lovely balance and length. As always a delightful wine – build for pleasure and restaurants.

(Drink from 2024) – Very Good (87 – 88p) – Tasted 13/11/2017 – from Cask

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Dujac Fils et Pere, Chambolle-Musigny 2016

The 2016 Chambolle village was touched by the frost – hence lower yields, impressive concentration but slightly tense. The nose offer red and dark berries – fine expression of Chambolle minerality. On the palate quite concentrated displaying plenty of fruit and intensity. Somehow a bit nervous and tense .. as some wines are when they were badly damaged by the frost. Need some time to unfold.

(Drink from 2025) – Very Good (87 – 89p) – Tasted 13/11/2017 – from Cask

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Dujac Fils et Pere, Morey-Saint-Denis 2016

Often a treat – and as always more forward than the Domaine wine. The nose offer generous red and dark fruits – lovely sweet raspberry and strawberry notes. On the palate good intensity, very balanced with a good energy and tension.

(Drink from 2024) – Very Good (88 – 89p) – Tasted 13/11/2017 – from Cask

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Dujac Fils et Pere, Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Damodes 2016

This was first produced in the 2010 vintage. The bouquet is forward and quite floral offering a lovely juicy fruits – hint of “Vosne” spices – violets, cinnamon and all spice. On the palate elegant quite light-footed yet long, offering a very fine impression of this quite delicate terroir. A lovely and balanced 1er cru.

(Drink from 2026) – Fine (91 – 92p) – Tasted 13/11/2017 – from Cask

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Dujac Fils et Pere, Nuits-Saint-Georges Aux Cras 2016

The Aux Cras is a step up in intensity and depth. First vintage this is produced, a very welcomed addition to the lineup. According to Jeremy from the top end of the vineyard – so presumably near the plots of Bruno Clavelier. The nose is brimming with layers of cool fruit – vivacious and minerally infused. On the palate lovely fruit – elegant and airy – offering plenty of mineral notes and a lovely fresh and focusing acidity.

(Drink from 2028) – Fine+ (92 – 93p) – Tasted 13/11/2017

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To the Domaine wines – always a step towards the darker and more serious wines … I do love both, and for restaurants the negociant wines do offer a fine value, with their more extensive drinking window.

Domaine Dujac, Morey-Saint-Denis 2016

The Domaine Dujac Morey-Saint-Denis village is showing well .. with plenty of deep fruit in the bouquet. On the palate fine fruit – long and deep for this level – textbook Dujac village. Give it some time in the cellar to unfold.

(Drink from 2027) – Very Good (90 – 91p) – Tasted 13/11/2017 – from Cask

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Domaine Dujac, Chambolle-Musigny 2016

The Chambolle village was hit by the April Frost – so lower yields – and a good intensity. The nose is offering fine red and darker fruits – nice expression of Chambolle minerality. On the palate lovely intensity – one especially feel the low yields on the mid-palate weight and power. In my view a step above the Morey village – but I’m also a Chambolle kind of guy!

(Drink from 2027) – Very Good (90 – 91p) – Tasted 13/11/2017 – from Cask

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Domaine Dujac, Morey-Saint-Denis 1er cru 2016

The Morey 1er cru is a somewhat overlooked wine in the Dujac portfolio … but it can be truly gorgeous – still recall some 1983s tasted some 15 years back – that offered so much vibrant pleasure. The 2016 is rather classic – letting the slightly dark Morey side rule a bit. On the palate deep and juicy fruit – fine energy and nice focus, offering a lovely and classic expression of Morey.

(Drink from 2029) – Fine+ (92 – 93p) – Tasted 13/11/2017 – from Cask

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Domaine Dujac, Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Combottes 2016

The Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Combottes was one of my favourites in the 2015 lineup – it was a great vintage for this terroir. The Aux Combottes 2016 is a return to the normal quality level – a strong and steady performer I have followed for more than two decades. The nose is offering red and dark berry fruit – a nice mineral note is lurking in the background. On the palate fine intensity and length – classic expression of Gevrey minerality. A lovely 1er cru in the making.

(Drink from 2029) – Fine+ (92 – 93p) – Tasted 13/11/2017 – from Cask

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Domaine Dujac, Charmes-Chambertin 2016

The Charmes Chambertin 2016 is more focused and balanced than the exuberant 2015. The nose offer layers of juicy red fruit with fine mineral note quite defined. On the palate quite intense and focused – with a finely tuned generosity. This is more detailed and elegant than the rich and slightly opulent 2015. A good year for Charmes, and also for the Charmes-Chambertin from Dujac.

(Drink from 2032) – Very fine (93 – 94p) – Tasted 13/11/2017 – from Cask

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Domaine Dujac, Vosne-Romanée Les Beaux Monts 2016

The Vosne Beaux-Monts 2016 is a bit restrained and backwards. The nose offer plenty of predominantly dark fruits – lovely spiciness and a nice mineral impressions. On the palate layers of fruit – quite dark and juicy .. not showing much at the moment – but fine length and depth.

(Drink from 2029) – Very Fine (92 – 94p) – Tasted 13/11/2017 – from Cask

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Domaine Dujac, Vosne-Romanée Aux Malconsorts 2016

The Malconsorts is as always quite a big step up from the Les Beaux Monts. The nose offer classic Vosne styled fruit – quite darkly toned with plenty of Vosne spices – peony rose, cinnamon, violets. On the palate intense and classic with a lovely depth and freshness. This seem to have more energy than the more hedonistic 2015 … and in a sense af more vibrant and complex wine. The 2015 did however show better from bottle in November 2017 – so equally matched actually.

(Drink from 2032) – Very Fine+ (94 – 95p) – Tasted 13/11/2017 – from Cask

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Domaine Dujac, Echezeaux 2016

The 2016 Echezeaux is quite intense – 30% lost due to the frost. This is an elegant Echezeaux with a lovely mineral driven bouquet – fruit very expressive – even slightly perfumed. On the palate quite tightly knit mid-palate fruit – focused by the strong mineral backbone and the fresh and vibrant acidity of the vintage – close to Outstanding.

(Drink from 2033) – Very Fine++ (94 – 95p) – Tasted 13/11/2017 – from Cask

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Domaine Dujac, Clos Saint Denis 2016

I do love the Clos St. Denis terroir – and Dujac have made a beautiful wine in the 2016 vintage – although not quite matching the magnificent 2015. More forward and expressively fruity than the Clos de la Roche – with a delicate floral expression. The nose is outgoing with a forward and juicy fruit – red and dark berries – brought forward by a filigree minerality. On the palate very zappy and vibrant – perhaps lacking a bit of grunt compared to the Clos de la Roche, but make amends by being so delicate and refined.

(Drink from 2034) – Outstanding (94 – 96p) – Tasted 13/11/2017 – from Cask

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Domaine Dujac, Clos de la Roche 2016

The Clos de la Roche 2016 is cooler and more vibrant than the 2015 edition of this wine. The Clos de la Roche 2015 seemed slightly on the ripe side when tasted in January 2016 – but tasted again in November 2017, it was more balanced and the ripe prune and figue notes now toned down. I still think I prefer the cooler 2016 Clos de la Roche, as it’s offering a lighter and more energetic expression of the terroir. The nose is showing deep and intense fruit covering the weighty earthy mineral notes. On the palate quite intense – no frost here though – with juicy red and dark fruits on the mid-palate – persistent finish with deep mineral notes. A classic Clos de la Roche in the making – will require quite some cellaring.

(Drink from 2036) – Outstanding (94 – 95p) – Tasted 13/11/2017 – from Cask

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Domaine Dujac, Bonnes Mares 2016

The Bonnes Mares is showing fine form even in the 2016 vintage, but not quite matching the magnificent 2015 in my view. The nose is crammed with fruit – intense with red and dark berries – cool and energetic – nice expression of terroir. On the palate intense, long and vibrant offering plenty of stuffing. It’s a rather classic Bonnes Mares in the making.

(Drink from 2037) – Outstanding (95 – 96p) – Tasted 13/11/2017 – from Cask

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Domaine Dujac, Romanée Saint-Vivant 2016

My first tasting of the very rare Romanée Saint-Vivant. It’s a magnificent wine – from the plot next to the equally sized Cathiard holdings – just above the garden of Gros Frere et Soeur. This is perhaps the best young wine I have tasted so far from Domaine Dujac. Not touched by the frost – yet intense with tremendous mid-palate concentration. The nose is brimming with layers of fruit – spiced with cinnamon, violets and peony rose – very intense and floral. On the palate vivacious and vibrant offering plenty of juicy fruit – very long with a tremendous depth – very zappy and energetic. Matching the neighbour? … and even more difficult to find and acquire.

(Drink from 2037) – Extraordinary (96 – 98p) – Tasted 13/11/2017 – from Cask

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Domaine Dujac, Chambertin 2016

The Chambertin – normally coming from plots in both Chambertin and Chambertin Clos de Bèze (these are the rules). This year frost damaged the plot in Les Chambertin – so a in reality close to a Clos de Bèze. The nose is brimming with fruit – a bit backward compared with the spicy and floral RSV. It’s a quite refined Chambertin – linear and intense fruit in the bouquet, paired with a powerful and filigree minerality. On the palate layers of intense almost sliky fruit – it’s well structured … and the term iron fist in a velvet glove could well be appropriate here. A big wine underneath the succulent fruit. In my book not quite matching the RSV ..

(Drink from 2037) – Outstanding+ (96 – 97p) – Tasted 13/11/2017 – from Cask

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