Visit to Domaine Coquard-Loison-Fleurot – tasting the 2018s

It was great to be back at Domaine Coquard-Loison-Fleurot to taste the wines and get reacquainted with the fine people at this Flagey-Echezeaux estate.

Coquard-Loison-Fleurot has been on quite a journey. A few years back one could find wines from the domaine in Beaune’s local supermarkets. Additionally, quite a bit of the wine from this estate used to be sold to negociants. Things have changed, however, and dramatically: The Coquard-Loison-Fleurot wines are now much sought after in more and more parts of the world.

Domaine Coquard-Loison-Fleurot is a true Burgundian family estate. As the name suggests, the family tree has several branches, and therefore also many different vineyards.

A family estate with fine terroirs

The families are working together, with different generations participating in the vineyard and cellar work. These are very cheerful and friendly vignerons.

The core people at the estate are Claire Fleurot, the manager and head of sales, and the talented winemaker Thomas Colladot. They are both a part of the family grouping, and are responsible for setting the pace at the new Domaine Coquard-Loison-Fleurot.

The 2018s can be difficult to judge

I have tasted a great many 2018s in the last 12 months, and while I think many of the wines are magnificent, understanding the 2018s and evaluating this vintage is rather complex.

It is a warm vintage. And regardless of what other reviewers say, all the wines I have tasted have a warm feel – some worse than others. Several  had a warm and rather dense feel in the beginning, but during elevage refinement and elegance have returned to the wines – to some degree at least.

When I tasted the  2017 Coquard-Loison-Fleurot wines, I found them very balanced indeed, and without significant warm notes.

When I tasted the Coquard 2018 wines in November, I did find that somewhat warm note – but that was in November.

I have seen some other 2018s “cool down” this warm expression during elevage, and I would therefore be reluctant to be very harsh regarding the warm note in the Coquard wines.

But what can I say? I currently prefer the domaine’s very fine 2017s for their vivid freshness and delightful drinkability.

The 2018s from Coquard-Loison-Fleurot

The 2018s from Coquard-Loison-Fleurot were certainly on the generous side when I tasted them in November, still in elevage in the cellar.

The vintage is somewhat dense and opulent, and while several of the wines are generous and charming, others will benefit from further  elevage.

That said, I have great faith in winemaker Thomas Colladot, and these wines are therefore considered with a great deal of optimism – but we shall see. 

Tasting notes on the Coquard-Loison-Fleurot 2018s

Domaine Coquard-Loison-Fleurot offers a fine progression its portfolio –  just like estates such as Domaine Georges Noëllat – with a consistent style and use of oak.

Domaine Coquard-Loison-Fleurot Bourgogne Rouge 2018

The Bourgogne Rouge is pure and quite intense for its level. The fruit is generous and somewhat warm – like the rest of the lineup, and most other 2018s for that matter. In the end, the generosity is a minus for some and a plus for others (make your choice), just as some 2015s  are on the more lavishly appointed side, to put it politely.

(Drink from 2020) – Good – (85 – 86p) – Tasted 15/11/2019
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Domaine Coquard-Loison-Fleurot Chambolle-Musigny 2018

The Chambolle-Musigny is, not surprisingly, more mineral driven, generous and what one would call hearty – with the Chambolle mineral note providing the balance. It has a Vosne feeling, as does wine from other producers of Vosne origin. Perhaps the 30% new oak from Remond could explain some of that perception.

(Drink from 2027) – Very Good – (87 – 89p) – Tasted 15/11/2019

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Domaine Coquard-Loison-Fleurot Gevrey-Chambertin 2018

The Gevrey is, as in 2017, from plots with 50-year-old vines. This offers fine red fruit on the mid-palate, and is very appealing. Quite a lot deeper and denser than the 2017, and offering significant generosity. The Gevrey appellation has produced some fine 2018s.

(Drink from 2027) – Very Good – (88 – 89p) – Tasted 15/11/2019
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Tasting Notes for this producer

• Domaine Coquard Loison-Fleurot, Charmes Chambertin 2014 February 8, 2018
• Domaine Coquard Loison Fleurot, Clos de la Roche 2010 December 15, 2017
• Domaine Coquard Loison Fleurot, Vosne-Romanée 2014 June 2, 2017

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