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Tasting the 2019s at Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux

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Expectations – divine expectations!

Charles Lachaux is making some giant quality leaps, possibly even surpassing many of the current top-end domaines in Burgundy. His progress is that notable, made through hard work and dedication, and by making some very rapid, important changes in viticulture that can only be described as dramatic and fundamental.

The 2019s are the first examples of finished Arnoux-Lachaux wines that include the changes and improvements made so far. And what can I say? The 2019s here are otherworldly, evoking descriptors like joie de vivre. Calling them true vins d’émotion can only begin to encompass and describe the huge changes made at this ground-breaking estate.

Check out the viticulture in depth article I wrote last summer, where I described the viticultural changes at Arnoux-Lachaux.

The 2019s at Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux

This was the fifth vintage I have tasted at Arnoux-Lachaux, and it was again a stunning tasting that confirms the continual improvement at this estate.

Charles Lachaux has made revolutionary changes to the viticulture, but the rate of progress and new initiatives is not slowing down. Rather, they are continuing at a frenetic pace, pushing the boundaries of Burgundian winemaking today.

For all the wines, 100% whole-cluster vinification is now practiced, as well as the pruning method of modified Gobelet-Poussard that contains some different attributes, one being that it supports higher trellising. Furthermore, it supports the more labour-intensive Paisseaux canopy (the Burgundian term for echalas trellising: each vine with its own individual stake).

The lively, effortless 2019s

The 2019s are from another intense vintage, and Charles Lachaux has again succeeded where others have failed by producing intense yet light-footed wines with modest alcohol levels and otherworldly, organic complexity of bouquet and palate.

Did someone say emotional wines?

The Arnoux-Lachaux ’19s are in fact moving the bar higher for The Winehog’s definition of vin d’émotion. This is particularly true for the wines with the longest track record in the viticulture transformation – Vosne Aux Reignots and Nuits-Saint-Georges Pagets are showing such progress one can only expect further improvements across the range.

The details and refinement of the top wines are both encouraging and tremendous.

The tasting notes from February 11

Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux Bourgogne Pinot Fin 2019

Starting out with the Bourgogne Pinot Fin, a delightful regional from excellent plots below the road (D974) in Chambolle-Musigny, Vosne-Romanee, and Nuits-Saint-Georges. The bouquet is enticingly forward and floral (100% whole cluster, as in all the wines), offering an airy, energetic expression of red fruits with fine minerality for this level. On the palate, delicate and vivid, with a gorgeous, graceful expression of Scandinavian cloudberries. 

(Drink from 2021) – Very Good (88-89p) – Tasted 11/02/2021 – Truly Emotional

Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux Nuits-Saint-Georges 2019

The Nuits-Saint-Georges 2019 is a blend from several different vineyards, mainly from the northern side of Nuits-Saint-Georges. The bouquet offers rich, energetic fruit, floral, and with an elegant NSG mineral character. On the palate, this is lively and energetic – very charming – offering a complex expression of airy fruits. This is showing Nuits-Saint-Georges’ best side.

(Drink from 2027) – Very Good+ (89-91p) – Tasted 11/02/2021 – Truly Emotional


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Vins d’émotion – wines that offer joy and hedonistic thrills

The principle with vins d’emotion is that they bring you extraordinary joy and hedonistic thrills.  A wine can be great, and at the same time not quite be a vin d’emotion.

All wines that evoke these emotional responses deserve a recommendation, and I have therefore created four levels of emotion recommendation: from the true and rare vin d’émotion to wines with some emotional potential.

A true vin d’émotion – a Burgundy of passion

A truly hedonistic wine – lively and enjoyable

A vivacious wine for pure indulgance

Check the full rating system
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Read the original Vin d’émotion article here ..

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