Domaine Truchetet – a Premeaux-Prissey surprise

Premeaux is one of my favourite areas, although it is officially part of the larger Nuits-Saint-Georges landscape. I do understand the marketing sense of using the Nuits-Saint-Georges brand, but on the other hand, I find some unique qualities in the Premeaux area, so I always seek out Premeaux wines and estates.

A new estate (to me at least) is Domaine Truchetet, where the son Morgan Truchetet has just taken over, together with his wife Pauline and his sister Julie. They are now brushing the dust off the barrels and setting off in a new direction.

So … let’s see!

The estate’s vineyards

The estate is not a fancy, prominent domaine with loads of grands and 1ers crus. It is an estate with an interesting range of lesser appellations and a fine focus on Côte de Nuits Villages and Nuits-Saint-Georges village.

Reds:

• COTEAUX BOURGUIGNONS
• BOURGOGNE « LES CLUSERS »
• BOURGOGNE « VIEILLES VIGNES »
• BOURGOGNE HAUTES CÔTES DE NUITS
• CÔTE DE NUITS VILLAGE
• CÔTE DE NUITS VILLAGE « LES BONNEMAINES »
• NUITS SAINT GEORGES « VIEILLES VIGNES »

Whites:

• BOURGOGNE ALIGOTE
• BOURGOGNE PINOT BLANC
• BOURGOGNE HAUTES COTES DE NUITS BLANC

The style of the wines

To the notes …

Domaine Truchetet Bourgogne Aligote 2018

The Bourgogne Aligote is showing nicely: fresh and vivid with citrus-infused minerality. It’s lightfooted with a slight impression of lees. A wine for early consumption – and pleasure.

(Drink from 2020) – Above Average – (84 – 85p) – Tasted 11/09/2019

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Domaine Truchetet Bourgogne Hautes Côte de Nuits Blanc 2018

The HCDN Blanc is showing nice, saline minerality and is quite floral with a citrus impression. It is lively and fresh for the vintage, and shows nice mineral energy. This is a lovely blanc in the making, originating on La Montagne. Even in this generous year it has the structure and balance to be interesting.

(Drink from 2021) – Good – (86 – 87p) – Tasted 11/09/2019

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Domaine Truchetet Bourgogne Pinot Blanc 2018

This is a true NSG speciality and actually works quite well – although not a Winehog favourite. Fine, generous fruit which seems to benefit from the steely acidity of Pinot blanc. A bigger wine than the Hautes Côte de Nuits Blanc, but I prefer the mineral note in the HCDN.

(Drink from 2023) – Good – (86 – 87p) – Tasted 11/09/2019

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Domaine Truchetet Coteaux Bourguignons 2018

Almost new territory for the Winehog – 2/3 Gamay and 1/3 Pinot Noir – but I must admit I find these wines throughly enjoyable in a lovely, simple way that doesn’t demand your “100% religious attention.” They do however offer pleasure by the buckets. This is fresh and vivid; 100% destemmed with red and dark fruits and nice energetic acidity. Forward fruit and plenty of pleasure, even for poor people like the Winehog! It deserves a hog prize!

(Drink from 2020) – Good – (85 – 86p) – Tasted 11/09/2019

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Domaine Truchetet Bourgogne Les Clusers 2018

Fine, open, forward, enjoyable and showing the generous though slightly hot feel of the 2018 vintage. A good Bourgogne rouge in the making, and “That’s All I Have To Say About That!” (h/t Forrest Gump)

(Drink from 2020) – Good – (85p) – Tasted 11/09/2019

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Domaine Truchetet Bourgogne Vieilles Vignes 2018

This cuvée is presumably from older vines, hence offering more depth than the Les Clusers. Lovely, silky feel to the fruit: rich and quite generous. This is delightful drinking, and I prefer it to the Clusers. Rich yet still quite enjoyable, albeit with the somewhat hot note of 2018.

(Drink from 2020) – Good – (86p) – Tasted 11/09/2019

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Domaine Truchetet Hautes Côtes de Nuits 2018

Back on La Montagne, with a fine mineral note compared to the Bourgogne rouges. This is an interesting vineyard that can support the weight of the 2018 vintage. The mineral notes are quite forward and very supportive, giving a fresh and energetic framework to the fruit. This is a delightful wine.

(Drink from 2020) – Good – (86 – 87p) – Tasted 11/09/2019

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Domaine Truchetet Côte de Nuits Villages 2018

A fine Côte de Nuits Villages with relatively cool fruit. Rich and generous for its level, offering a nice mineral backbone. Quality-wise at the same level as the Hautes Côtes de Nuits, or perhaps a small notch up.

(Drink from 2023) – Good – (86 – 87p) – Tasted 11/09/2019

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Domaine Truchetet Côte de Nuits Villages Les Bonnemaines 2018

The Bonnemaines is definitely a notch up, coming from over-50-year-old vines (planted in 1963). The fruit is vivid and energetic with a millerandage, vieilles vignes feel. A fine expression of terroir, this is a very enjoyable wine with a true hedonistic element.

(Drink from 2024) – Good+ – (87 – 88p) – Tasted 11/09/2019

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Domaine Truchetet Nuits-Saint-Georges Vieilles Vignes 2018

This is from the Premeaux side of Nuits-Saint-Georges, below the RD974 and north of Clos de Grandes Vignes. Some reduction here makes it a bit difficult to uncover at the moment, with some tannic notes presumably exacerbated by the reduction. A good+ effort with an old-vine feel and some refinement.

(Drink from 2026) – Good+ – (87 – 88p) – Tasted 11/09/2019

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Winehog choices

These are mainly regional wines, and while I know many of the readers don’t consider these, I want to underline the hedonistic pleasures that can be found in lesser wines in a vintage like 2018.

There are some very nice drinking wines, although speaking of the 2018 vintage one could say, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get” (again, h/t). Try some affordable wines for a change; there is a lot of pleasure to be had.

My favourites on the day were Côte de Nuits Villages Les Bonnemaines, Hautes Côtes de Nuits 2018 and the Coteaux Bourguignons 2018. Also a vote for the Bourgogne Hautes Côte de Nuits Blanc.