Winehog - Burgundy with a passion

Burgundy Insights from the Winehog

Visit Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, tasting of the 2016s

By

I was very impressed when I tasted the 2015s from Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux in January 2017. I was therefor eager to get back to taste the 2016s to see if Charles Lachaux has progressed further.

At my last visit Charles Lachaux eagerly began to explain about the changes they have made at the estate in recent vintages. Explained about less use of new oak, less extraction and furthermore the introduction of a quite high percentage of whole cluster grapes in the wines.

For the village wines only 15% new oak is used, around 20% is used for the 1er crus and for the Grand Crus only 30% … so quite moderate use of oak compared to the wines made earlier. For the top wines 100% whole cluster are used – this apply to Nuits-Saint-Georges Clos des Corvées Pagets, Vosne-Romanée Les Suchots, Aux Reignots, Echezeaux, Latriciere-Chambertin and Romanée Saint-Vivant.

So in fact this is a completely new style of wines – and I was very pleased to see this continued in the 2016 vintage.

To go back – changes began in the 2013 vintage when Charles took over, but was so to speak fully implemented in 2015 when most of the major details were in place. To be honest this was a big change and it was not possible to get all organised within one year.

The style was pretty much in place with the 2014 vintage – have tasted quite a few of those – and the details seemed more in place with the 2015s – but what about the 2016s?

The cooler 2016s .. vs. the 2015s

It was a very hot day in Beaune – around 38 celsius – way more than I need – and I was therefore happy to taste the 2016s from cask in the cool cellar.

Charles Lachaux seems very clear and focused in what he is doing – and this certainly corresponded well with the 2016s he has produced. Style wise it’s a cooler year offering a more classic Burgundian balance than the generously rich and slightly decadent 2015s. The 2016s offer a more delicate balance and energy it seems – at this stage – but do not quite match the quite abundant fruit found in the 2015s.

I think Charles has refined the style and detail in the wines even further since the 2015 vintage – i.e. improved the vinification and presumably also the viticulture in the 2016s vintage – and the question was therefore if they could challenge the 2015s – or if the mighty 2015s would prevail.

In the end it’s not a contest or a clash between vintages – but hopefully a friendly banter where the two vintages are showing of their different virtues.

As with other estates the April 2016 frost did quite severe damage at Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, some places more so than others. In some cases the low yield seems to offer more intensity and concentration in the wines – not meaning the sort of concentration obtained by extraction or technical solutions – this a natural concentration of the grapes in the vineyards.

You need to login to read the recommendations. If you are not a subscriber, use the subscribe function and sign-up.

Login

You need a Winehog subscription to see the rest of this article.
Login

Subscribe

You need a Winehog subscription to see the rest of this article.
Subscribe

Tasting Notes for this producer

Related articles

  • Visit Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, tasting of the 2016s I was very impressed when I tasted the 2015s from Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux in January 2017. I was therefor eager to get back to taste the 2016s to see if Charles Lachaux has progressed further. At my last visit Charles Lachaux eagerly began to explain about the changes they have made at the estate in recent ...
  • The red 2016s – Impressions and first insights After running through my tasting notes from my June 2017 trip I have updated my impressions on the 2016 red Burgundies. Thibaud Clerget of Domaine Y. Clerget. I will update these impressions as I taste more 2016s over the next year, and add more insights ass I find them. Red Burgundies 2016 – style and impressions The 2016 red ...
  • Taking Burgundy to the next level – Domaine Leroy Viticulture The wines of Domaine Leroy are extraordinary in every sense of the word, and Mme Bize-Leroy has for decades been one of the leading and most progressive producers in the region. A lot of producers find inspiration to take their wines to another level by looking at the things Mme Bize-Leroy have done to improve quality. ...
  • Terroir Insight: Arnoux-Lachaux, Romanée Saint-Vivant One of the rapidly rising stars of Burgundy is Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux in Vosne-Romanee as the son Charles Lachaux has since 2013 taken quality to new levels – and with the 2015s he has entered in the group of top end producers in Vosne-Romanée with a outstanding lineup of wines – topped by the magnificent Romanée ...
  • Vineyard Insight: Latricières-Chambertin The Gevrey-Chambertin appellation is large with quite a lot of rather large Grand Crus generously allocated when the current classification was established. Not all plots of the Gevrey Grand Crus are of high standard, and yet still they are famous in the Burgundy world where names like Charmes Chambertin and Mazis Chambertin have a great ...
  • Terroir Insight: Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux Latricieres-Chambertin In my view Latriciere-Chambertin is one of the overlooked and slightly misunderstood terroirs … and the 2015 vintage has really shown what this terroir can offer in both refinement and greatness. I have tasted excellent Latriciere-Chambertins from both Domaine Trapet and Domaine Faiveley and not to forget a delightful sample from Domaine Duroché. A great surprise however ...
  • Visit Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, tasting of the 2015s During the last year or so I have heard from many that Charles Lachaux has made tremendous progress at Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux – the style has changed to a lighter and more floral style – with less oak and less extraction. I must say that I was slightly skeptical when I turned off the D974 and through ...
  • Vosne-Romanee Aux Reignots – a fragmented delight The Aux Reignots is in my view one of the most interesting 1er crus of Cote de Nuits – its perhaps not quite in the same popularity league as Vosne-Romanee Cros Parantoux, Aux Malconsorts or Chambolle-Musigny Les Amoureuses, but the focus on this terroir has increased dramatically during the last 10 to 15 years. Louis-Michel ...

New tasting notes and articles

Reader Interactions