Visit to Domaine Michel Mallard – tasting the red 2018s

I’m back below the Corton hill in Ladoix-Serrigny, visiting Michel Mallard at his family estate that is conveniently called … Domaine Michel Mallard, after his grandfather.

For a bit more info on the Michel Mallard estate check the article about the white 2018s.

Ladoix a part of Aloxe and Corton

Ladoix-Serrigny contains a part of the Corton hill and therefore part of the vineyards that can use the Corton, and even in some areas the Corton-Charlemagne, appellation.

What few know is that some of the 1ers crus located in Ladoix-Serrigny can also use the Aloxe-Corton name on the label.

The climats located within the commune of Ladoix-Serrigny which are classified as Aloxe-Corton Premiers Crus (red wines only) are those listed below. They are located above the southern end of the village of Ladoix-Serrigny.

• Clos des Maréchaudes
• La Maréchaude
• Les Petites Lolières
• Les Moutottes
• La Coutière
• La Toppe au Vert

Please note this only applies to reds; the whites from these lieux-dits will be labeled Ladoix-Serriny. I’m sure that the good people of Ladoix understand this, but it is not that easy for the rest of the world!

So: Actually there is a lot of Aloxe and Corton in Ladoix!

The Mallard reds

We tasted the 2018 reds from tank.For the 2018 whites, see the full article here

Domaine Michel Mallard Ladoix Les Buis 2018

The Ladoix Les Buis is from the northern edge of the village. It is a forward and straightforward wine for simple pleasure, but the complexity is limited. It’s well made and drinking quite well – also important.

(Drink from 2020) – Good (85 – 87p) – Tasted 13/11/2019 – tank

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Domaine Michel Mallard Côte de Nuits Villages 2018

The Côtes de Nuits Villages comes from Corgoloin, near the D974. The vines are in the lieu-dit Le Fourneau, with the cemetary at the top of the vineyard. It is quite expressive, using 40% whole-cluster grapes, but was presumably touched by the hailstorms in 2018. That said, there is no serious effect other than perhaps a slight loss of energy in the finish. It is a charming wine that could well grace the Winehog lunch table.

(Drink from 2023) – Good++ (87 – 88p) – Tasted 13/11/2019 – tank

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Domaine Michel Mallard Chorey-les-Beaune 2018

More geography lessons: Chorey-lès-Beaune Les Beaumonts is located west of the D974 on the Savigny-lès-Beaune side of the road. This has a vivacious bouquet full of dark cherries and mulberries, and fine energy. It’s somewhat on the robust and edgy side, but I expect further elevage will give it a more refined feel.

(Drink from 2023) – Good (85 – 87p) – Tasted 13/11/2019 – tank

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Domaine Michel Mallard Ladoix Les Joyeuses 2018

The Ladoix Les Joyeuses 1er Cru does have an enjoyable name, and I followed the start of the harvest in this vineyard in 2019, quite high on the slope above Ladoix. This cuvée is made with 50% whole-cluster grapes, which add a perfumed note and a feeling of liveliness. The bouquet offers cool berries with raspberries, cherries and rose petals brought forward by relatively stony minerality. A vivid wine with a joyful and hedonistic note.

(Drink from 2025) – Very Good (89 – 90p) – Tasted 13/11/2019 – tank – ?

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Domaine Michel Mallard Ladoix La Corvée 2018

The Ladoix La Corvée is a rich, generous wine; more intense than the Joyeuses, with plenty of confit fruit. On the palate, a lovely saline note gives the wine a delightful gourmand feel. Plenty of fruit, with a quite strong mineral backbone and a mid-palate to match. A serious glass.

(Drink from 2027) – Very Good (89 – 91p) – Tasted 13/11/2019 – tank

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Domaine Michel Mallard Aloxe-Corton Les Valozières 2018

The Aloxe-Corton Les Valozières 1er Cru is mid-slope below Corton Bressandes (please note that the bottom part of Valoziéres is village). It has a rich, vivid bouquet of blueberries and raspberries, and is finely structured with quite some oomph and a nice citrus note. This shows good energy and promise. Aloxe-Corton wines do have a lovely vivid character. Enjoyable.

(Drink from 2027) – Very Good (89 – 91p) – Tasted 13/11/2019 – tank – ?

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