Tasting the 2018s at Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux

Charles Lachaux is taking some giant leaps for, if not mankind, then at least for the hedonistic pleasure of yours truly and other connoisseurs.

His 2018 wines are another clear step towards the very top echelon of Burgundy and Vosne-Romanee. They are airy, energetic, and vivid, with tremendous joie de vivre – true vins d’émotion.

And Charles is only beginning, and claims that his 2019s are even better. Somehow one is not surprised.

The 2018s at Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux

This was my fourth visit to Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, and what can I say: It was a stunning tasting that confirms the constant improvement at this estate.

At my last visit, Charles Lachaux gave a status report during the tasting and explained the changes that have been made over the past five years.

Furthermore, work with biodynamic viticulture is in progress, and could show the way to even further improvements in the vineyards. This is definitely an estate to follow, and one to cheer.

For all the wines, 100% whole-cluster vinification is now practiced – so this transformation is fully in place. This change was noticeable particularly in the lesser wines, as they were not previously fully whole cluster, as were some of the wines at the top end of the portfolio.

Airy and energetic 2018s

The 2018s may be from a bigger and more intense vintage, yet Charles Lachaux has succeeded where others have failed by producing intense yet light-footed wines.

His 2018s are energetic, with tremendous balance and mineral playfulness, and are clearly a further step upward and forward. They now have a fine organic feel … did someone say vins d’émotion?

Notes from the tasting on November 8th, 2019

Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux Bourgogne Pinot Fin 2018

Starting out with the Bourgogne Pinot Fin 2018 – a very enjoyable generic wine from excellent plots below the road (D974) in Chambolle-Musigny, Vosne-Romanee and Nuits-Saint-Georges. The bouquet is forward and floral (now 100% whole cluster) offering a airy expression of red fruits and a good impression of minerality for this level. On the palate vivid and quite generous with a lovely mouth feel – a delightful Bourgogne rouge

(Drink from 2020) – Very Good (87 – 88p) – Tasted 08/11/2019

—-

Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux Nuits-Saint-Georges 2018

The Nuits-Saint-Georges 2018 is a blend of several different vineyards – mainly from the northern side of Nuits-Saint-Georges. The bouquet offer rich and charming fruit – floral (using 100% whole cluster) – with a discrete NSG mineral character. On the palate lively and vivid – very charming – offering a airy, intense yet light footed fruit driven mid-palate with a fine organic feel. This is showing very well.

(Drink from 2027) – Very Good+ (89 – 91p) – Tasted 08/11/2019

—-

Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux Chambolle-Musigny 2018

This Chambolle comes from vines to the south of the village – i.e. a relatively cool area – and translates into a vivid village. The bouquet is perfumed with floral and airy red fruit, with notes of red currant and pomegranate. On the palate vibrant, offering vivid mid-palate fruit and fresh acidity for the vintage. I think I prefer the Nuits-Saint-Georges … but either would do nicely! 👍

(Drink from 2027) – Very Good+ (89 – 90p) – Tasted 08/11/2019

—-

Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux Vosne-Romanée 2018

Back to home turf, the Vosne-Romanée 2018 is a juicy and vibrant offering. This wine comes from Aux Communes, Aux Saules and Bussiere, and is a tremendous effort. The nose offers airy, perfumed red and dark berry fruit – raspberries and redcurrant – and is classically spiced with cinnamon and a hint of violets. On the palate, energetic with beautiful freshness – very light-footed for the vintage. Chapeau – vin d’émotion!

(Drink from 2027) – Fine+ (90 – 92p) – Tasted 08/11/2019

—-

Tasting Notes for this producer

• Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, Romanee-Saint-Vivant 2008 May 23, 2018
• Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, Romanée Saint-Vivant 2015 July 11, 2017
• Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, Vosne-Romanée Aux Reignots 2015 July 11, 2017
• Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, Vosne-Romanée Les Suchots 2015 July 11, 2017
• Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, Latriciere Chambertin 2015 July 11, 2017
• Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, Echezeaux 2015 July 11, 2017
• Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, Clos de Vougeot 2015 July 11, 2017
• Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Procès 2015 July 11, 2017
• Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, Vosne-Romanée Les Chaumes 2015 July 11, 2017
• Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, Nuits-Saint-Georges Clos de Corvees Pagets 2015 July 11, 2017
• Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Poisets 2015 July 11, 2017
• Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, Vosne-Romanée Maizieres Hautes 2015 July 11, 2017
• Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, Chambolle-Musigny 2015 July 11, 2017
• Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, Vosne-Romanée 2015 July 11, 2017
• Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, Nuits-Saint-Georges 2015 July 11, 2017
• Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, Bourgogne Pinot Fin 2015 July 11, 2017
• Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, Romanee-Saint-Vivant 2014 February 13, 2017
• Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, Romanee-Saint-Vivant 2006 January 10, 2017
• Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, Vosne-Romanee Aux Reignots 2008 December 18, 2014
• Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, Romanee-Saint-Vivant 2008 February 19, 2013

Related articles

• Arnoux-Lachaux Viticulture – Pruning
  Charles Lachaux of Vosne-Romanée’s Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux is continuing to develop his viticulture. I have followed Lachaux’s Nuits-Saint-Georges vineyard Les Procès throughout the year since 2021, watching its development and his viticultural techniques as we move towards each new vintage. Now we’re looking at the winter/spring pruning. March 2024 Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Procès NSG Les Procès is a 1er cru located ...
• Les Suchots: The Flamboyant Vosne 1er Cru
  One of the largest and most challenging 1ers crus is Vosne-Romanée Les Suchots. Wine from this vineyard is produced by more than 100 domaines and negociants. Les Suchots is quite a diverse vineyard, with some areas showing great complexity while others have fewer of the qualities of a great terroir. Add to this producers that range ...
• Vineyard Profile: Nuits-Saint-Georges Aux Argillas
  The complexity of the appellations and vineyards of Burgundy is almost endless. It’s as if someone said: Complexity is good, but impossible is even better. Then foreigners and journalists won’t comprehend it, and if they do, they can’t pronounce it! 16/10/2023 One of these complexities is Nuits-Saint-Georges Aux Argillas, one of the most exciting – but ...
• Vineyard Insight: Nuits-Saint-Georges Clos des Corvées Pagets
  One of my favourite vineyards in Nuits-Saint-Georges is the Clos des Corvées Pagets – located south of Clos de Covées. Both these vineyards were formerly a part of Aux Corvées, an historic lieu-dit. The clos are only part of this terrific, larger vineyard from which domaines such as Arnoux-Lachaux and Prieure-Roch produce great wines. So let’s ...
• Tasting the Arnoux-Lachaux 2020s From Bottle
  It’s the dawn of new times in Burgundy, with changing distribution channels and various initiatives aimed at hindering secondary-market speculation in certain top Burgundies. Add to this the wish among many producers to serve the finished bottle to its actual clients, including importers, restaurants, individuals, and yes, even journalists. All these factors are boiled down into ...