Visit to Domaine Julien – tasting the 2020s from cask

A big week of tastings requires a timely editorial turnaround, so there’s very little poetry (lucky you) in this article on Etienne Julien’s 2020 wines.

For more information on the Julien estate, check this previous tasting article on the domaine’s wines.

• Visit to Domaine Julien – Tasting the 2021s from Cask
• Visit to Domaine Julien – tasting the 2020s from cask
• Visit to Domaine Julien – tasting the 2019s from cask
• Brandis Tasting – the delightful 2017 vintage
• Côte de Nuits Villages with lovely potential

The 2020s from Domaine Etienne Julien

The wines from Etienne Julien are honest; they are wines of pleasure, and the 2020s show a quite refined side.

For me, the 2020s here are slightly better than the rather sturdy 2018s. The ’20s are vivid and energetic, and are a joy to taste at the moment, with a lovely combination of red and dark fruit.

Tasting notes from October 27

I enjoyed a fine tasting with Etienne, so let’s go to the notes!

Domaine Etienne Julien Aligoté 2020

The 2020 Aligoté is a notch up from the 2019; cooler and more classic, with quite some weight and more linear, persistent acidity. It’s made from vineyards in the lower parts of Comblanchien and is intense, weighty for the year, and vivid. A fine, generous glass with nice potential.

(Drink From 2021) – Good – (86-87p) – tasted 27/10/2021

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Domaine Etienne Julien Bourgogne Rouge 2020

Fresh, although a bit tight – again the intense fruit of the vintage. This has lively mid-palate fruit, and is enjoyable while not being overly complex – a vin de soif in my book, although perhaps without full glou-glou potential. Bottled in September.

(Drink From 2021) – Very Good – (87-88) – tasted 27/10/2021

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Domaine Etienne Julien Aloxe-Corton Les Valoziéres 1er Cru 2020

The Aloxe-Corton is a beauty, with a lovely shot of whole clusters and a remarkable, background oakiness. In fact, there is 60% new oak – which surprised me. However, these Cavin barrels are very discreet, it seems. The wine is generous, with rounded fruit, a hint of sweetness from the oak, and good energy. Delicious, and definitely high on my drinkability scale.

(Drink From 2026) – Very Good – (87-88p) – tasted 27/10/2021 –

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Domaine Etienne Julien Côte de Nuits Villages 2020

This is a blend from (I think) nine different plots in the Comblanchien area. It’s on the oaky side, but according to the stats, only 45% new. Yet it does seem more flavoured by the wood. The fruit is deep, and it has nice acidity, but what can I say? I prefer the Aloxe at the moment.

(Drink From 2026) – Good+ – (87p) – tasted 27/10/2021

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Domaine Etienne Julien Côte de Nuits Villages Armand 2020

A new cuvee from the Comblanchien area named after Etienne’s grandfather, this is a blend of four lieux-dits – Les Plantes du Bois, La Essards, La Julbigne, and La Dominode. This is more concentrated and lively, with lovely acidity. With 25% whole-cluster inclusion and 80% new oak, it’s a rather potent wine, although again, the Cavin barrels are quite muted.

(Drink From 2028) – Very Good – (87-88p) – tasted 27/10/2021

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