Visit to Domaine Julien – Tasting the 2021s from Cask

For more information on the Julien estate, check this previous tasting article:

• 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 2021s from Domaine Etienne Julien

The wines from Etienne Julien are honest; they are wines of pleasure, and the 2021s show quite a refined side. The ’21s here are cooler and lighter than the previous years, and they have lovely energy.

Tasting notes from November 14

I enjoyed a fine tasting with Etienne; here are the notes.

Domaine Etienne Julien Aligoté 2021

The 2021 Aligoté is vivid and energetic with fine fruit on the semi-rich mid-palate. It has lovely concentration and is more-ish, offering itself to you in a delightful, energetic way. Not a mastodon of an aligoté, but delicious it is.

(Drink From 2023) – Good – (87-88p) – tasted 14/11/2022 –

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Domaine Etienne Julien Aloxe-Corton Les Valoziéres 1er Cru 2021

With clean, pure fruit matured in 60% new oak, this does not show a huge wood impact aside from a slight caramel note that could also be related to reduction. The oak regime worked better in 2020, when the concentration was higher, but this is also quite a delightful wine.

(Drink From 2026) – Very Good – (87p) – tasted 14/11/2022 –

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Domaine Etienne Julien Côte de Nuits Villages Les Ersard 2021

With 25% whole clusters and  45% new oak, this strike a fine balance, although at the moment it is quite reduced. There is good fruit with a lively, vivid note, and I like the vivacity. But the true test to will be when the reduction lifts.

(Drink From 2026) – Good+ – (87p) – tasted 14/11/2022

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Domaine Etienne Julien Côte de Nuits Villages Armand 2021

A relatively 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 fairly concentrated and lively, with lovely fresh acidity. With 25% whole-cluster inclusion and 80% new oak, it does work, as the Cavin barrels are quite restrained. That said, this is certainly a robust wine for 2021.

(Drink From 2028) – Very Good – (88p) – tasted 14/11/2022 –

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