Visit Domaine Pierre Labet, tasting of the red 2016s

The wines of Domaine Pierre Labet are in my view a bit overlooked – and overshadowed by the wines made at Chateau de la Tour, the top brand of the François Labet “group”.

While Chateau de la Tour is renown for making some of the very best wines on the Clos de Vougeot vineyard – François Labet, the owner and manager of Chateau de la Tour, is making some tremendous wines from the other family estate – Domaine Pierre Labet – from quite large vineyard holdings scattered around the Burgundy appellations.

The wines are biodynamic now and represent fine quality and are refined for their level in my view. The tasting notes for the white 2016s can be found here.

Tasting notes for the red 2016s from Domaine Pierre Labet

Here are the notes for the red 2016s from Domaine Pierre Labet – all tasted at Domaine Chateau de la Tour in November 2017.

Domaine Pierre Labet, Bourgogne Rouge Vieilles Vignes 2016

The red generic Burgundy from Domaine Pierre Labet is a stylish wine – quite floral and delicate. The nose offer a lovely perfumed nose with fine red fruit, peony rose and a hint of forest berries. On the palate fine intensity and balance – nice acidity and mouth-feel – quite refined for the level. Would give it at bit of time to unfold.

(Drink From 2019) – Good (86 – 87p) – tasted 15/11/2017

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Domaine Pierre Labet, Beaune Clos du Dessus de Marconnets 2016

The Beaune Clos du Dessus de Marconnets is a village Beaune located high on the slope in the very northern part of the Beaune appellation. A lovely and balanced Beaune in the making – quite floral bouquet with a lovely juicy red fruit – quite mineral and filigree. On the palate lovely juicy fruit – light footed for a Beaune – but with a lovely intensity.

(Drink From 2024) Very Good (88 – 89p) – tasted 15/11/2017

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Domaine Pierre Labet, Beaune Aux Coucherias 2016

This is a step up in concentration (1er cru) and mineral intensity – from a quite steep vineyard at the top of the slope – above another favourite appellation in Beaue – Aux Cras. The nose is forward fruity – juicy raspberries – floral with a lovely mineral touch. On the palate both vibrant and juicy fruit – very good intensity and length here. Beautifully balanced with a fine and detailed fruit – a lovely cool and refined Beaune in the making. Enjoyable and classy Beaune.

(Drink From 2027) Fine (91 – 92p) – tasted 15/11/2017

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Domaine Pierre Labet, Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vigens 2016

The Gevrey village Vieilles Vignes is the odd one out in this lineup – although it’s a lovely wine. It does struggle a bit after the Beaune 1er cru – and is a special wine, as the elegant and quite refined style is a bit unusual seen in a Gevrey context. The nose offer plenty of rich and juicy fruit for the level – quite detailed and a bit fragant. On the palate quiet generous fruit – very harmonious with a long and quite refined finish – lovely silky feel. A lovely Gevrey village in the making – on the elegant side I must say.

(Drink From 2026) Very Good+ (89 – 90p) – tasted 15/11/2017

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Recommended by the Winehog

As mentioned about the whites also – I do recommend all the wines above – as I really enjoy these stylish wines.

My favourites here are the Beaune wines … as they represent an elegant side of Beaune quite rarely found. Both the Beaune Clos du Dessus de Marconnets and the Beaune Aux Coucherias have a nice floral touch, and the locations high on the slope does offer a light-footed expression of the Beaune appellation that I really value.

And why not consider the two other reds … the Bourgogne Rouge do provide lovely and classy drinking.