Visit Philippe Pacalet – tasting the 2015s – the village wines

The first impressions I get from the new vintage is often an extensive tasting at Maison Philippe Pacalet.

The wines from Pacalet are perfect for this purpose as the finish malolactic fermentation very early and even more importantly they have a very pure and clear expression of the vintage and the terroir.

I really love the style of the wines, the drinkability, the lightness, the purity, the quite delicate expression of pinot fruit.

Tasting the 2015s from Philippe Pacalet

It’s allways a pleasure to taste wines in the cellar of Philippe Pacalet – and this year was no exception.

It was quite a big tasting with more than 20 wines, and in this article I will only cover the red village wines. The 1er crus, the Grand Crus will follow shortly in a separate article.

I had already tasted some 2015s from other producers in November 2015 in connection with the Hospice de Beaune auction and had a slightly mixed picture of the quality of the reds. It’s a rich and generous vintage but also in some chases on the hot side, with some slightly overripe notes. But that was my initial impressions in November – now to the impression of the Pacalet 2015s.

Impressions from the tasting March 21st 2016

Let me start by saying that Philippe Pacalet has made some very fine 2015s – they are rich and generous with more weight than one usually find in the wines from Maison Philippe Pacalet.

The 2015s is quite a contrast to the 2014s … as they offer a much more dense and intense fruit – or simply put they are bigger wines. The transparency is however still fine, although not at the same level as 2014 and 2010. They are balanced wines, and while its clear that the vintage is on the hotter side, this does not translate into overripe fruit, high alcohol or a poor expression of terroir.

Philippe has made the best of the 2015 vintage, and made some pure and delightfully drinkable wines, that offer a fine expression of terroir and a juicy midpalate fruit with pure pinot flavors.

So .. expect more weight and power from the Pacalet wines in this vintage, and they will no doubt offer tremendous drinking over the years. And while I may prefer the 2010s, I think the 2015 could attract a new audience to the Pacalet wines, as the extra concentration may appeal to some costumers.

Tasting Notes – Pacalet red village 2015

Gevrey Chambertin 2015

The Gevrey Chambertin is by far the largest of the Phillipe Pacalet village cuvees, hence also the most affordable and easier to find in the market – I think 14 casks are made. The 2015 version of this wines offer quite a lot more concentration than the lightfooted and delicate 2014 . The nose offer a rich mixture of red and dark berry fruit-  brought forward by a slightly dusty earthy minerality … quite some reduction in this sample. On the palate rich and darker than normal – juicy fruit, fine intensity and length, with quite a grip from the tannins. A bigger and darker wine than in the previous vintages … but nevertheless very enjoyable.

(Drink from 2024) – Good++ (87 – 88p) – Tasted 21/03/2016 from CASK

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Pommard 2015

The Pommard village 2015 is showing very well, and is one of the often overlooked wines in the Pacalet line-up. The nose is quite expressive with a higher proportion of red fruit than the more serious Gevrey village. The bouquet offer fresh raspberry fruit, with notes of dark cherries and red currant. On the palate very juicy and energetic for the vintage – its long and quite refined … a very enjoyable Pommard in the making.

(Drink from 2025) – Very Good (88 – 90p) – Tasted 21/03/2016 from CASK

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Chambolle Musigny 2015

The Chambolle village is sadly somewhat reduced .. but nevertheless showing a nice balance and fine freshness. In the nose .. slight reduction .. notes of red forest berries and some darker fruit notes – combined and interlinked with a fine Chambolle minerality. On the palate rich and juicy fruit with a nice energy. It’s a bit darker than usual, but will no doubt provide excellent drinking .. 

(Drink from 2025) – Very Good (88 – 89p) – Tasted 21/03/2016 from CASK

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Nuits-Saint-Georges 2015

The Nuits-Saint-Georges 2015 village is quite a beauty – although its showing quite some reduction tasted from cask. It’s a step up in concentration from the Chambolle and the Gevrey. In the nose lovely ripe pinot fruit, with notes of red and dark cherries and raspberries – spiced with cinnamon and white pepper. On the palate rich, vibrant and well structured, showing true Nuits-Saint-Georges character. Love the layers of juicy fruit – and the matching framework of minerality … a delightful NSG in the making.

(Drink from 2026) – Very Good (89 – 90p) – Tasted 21/03/2016 from CASK

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Vosne Romanee 2015

The Vosne-Romanee village is really showing in this vintage. The bouquet is very expressive – gorgeous juicy red fruit, violets, cinnamon and a nice minerality. On the palate generous juicy fruit, well structured and long with a finely defined terroir expression. Its an elegant wine – a delightful glass – perhaps the best village from Philippe Pacalet so far.

(Drink from 2026) – Fine (90 – 91p) – Tasted 21/03/2016 from CASK

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Tasting Notes for this producer

• Philippe Pacalet, Chambolle Musigny 1er cru 2009 July 26, 2018
• Philippe Pacalet, Corton Charlemagne 2011 May 15, 2018
• Philippe Pacalet, Chambolle Musigny 2015 September 7, 2017
• Philippe Pacalet, Vosne-Romanee Les Chaumes 2014 August 25, 2016
• Philippe Pacalet, Chambolle Musigny 1er cru 2014 July 24, 2016
• Philippe Pacalet, Gevrey Chambertin 2002 May 17, 2016
• Philippe Pacalet, Chambolle Musigny 1er cru 2004 May 17, 2016
• Philippe Pacalet, Chablis Beauroy 2005 May 9, 2016
• Philippe Pacalet, Chablis Beauroy 2004 May 9, 2016
• Philippe Pacalet, Echezeaux 2010 April 28, 2016
• Philippe Pacalet, Chambolle Musigny 2010 January 17, 2016
• Philippe Pacalet, Vosne Les Chaumes 2013 November 12, 2015
• Philippe Pacalet, Chambolle Musigny 2013 September 18, 2015
• Philippe Pacalet, Chambolle-Musigny 1er cru 2010 August 21, 2015
• Philippe Pacalet, Corton Charlemagne 2010 February 5, 2015
• Philippe Pacalet, Vosne Romanee 2012 February 4, 2015
• Philippe Pacalet, Puligny Montrachet 2013 January 16, 2015
• Philippe Pacalet, Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2013 November 13, 2014
• Philippe Pacalet, Chambolle-Musigny 1er cru 2009 September 17, 2014
• Philippe Pacalet, Gevrey Chambertin, Laveaux St. Jacques 2013 September 13, 2014
• Philippe Pacalet, Gevrey Chambertin, Bel Air 2013 September 11, 2014
• Philippe Pacalet, Vosne Romanee, Les Chaumes 2013 September 9, 2014
• Philippe Pacalet, Chambolle Musigny 1er cru 2013 September 5, 2014
• Philippe Pacalet, Nuits-Saint-George 1er cru 2013 September 4, 2014
• Philippe Pacalet, Pommard 2013 August 19, 2014
• Philippe Pacalet, Nuits-Saint-Georges 2013 August 16, 2014
• Philippe Pacalet, Chambolle-Musigny 2013 August 15, 2014
• Philippe Pacalet, Vosne-Romanee 2013 August 13, 2014
• Philippe Pacalet, Gevrey-Chambertin 2013 August 12, 2014
• Philippe Pacalet, Chambolle-Musigny 2012 August 10, 2014

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