Visit Domaine Patrice Rion: Tasting of the 2017s from cask

Domaine Patrice Rion was on my list of visits aqain this year – due to his deligthful wines and the lovely terroirs.

A bit of background on Domaine Patrice Rion

As mentioned I got to know Domaine Michéle et Patrice Rion via Blair Pethel of Domaine Dublere – who knows Patrice Rion very well. It’s perhaps a strong word to say that Patrice Rion has been a mentor for Blair, but i clearly find a style resemblance between Domaine Dublere and Domaine Patrice Rion. Not saying they are identical stylewise – but they share some vital qualities.

The domaine was established in 1990 by Patrice Rion and his wife Michéle, and expanded in 2000 when Patrice left Domaine Daniel Rion (his fathers estate). Patrice is now running the estate with his son Maxime.

The style is refined and fruit driven with a lovely expression of terroir. The wines offer fine energy and are very pure. The top wines show very fine definition and focus.

Notes from the tasting on the June 4th 2017

Patrice has been involved in the wine business for many year, and has seen a large number of vintages .. dating back to the late 1970s at least.

The 2017 vintage is not easily comparable with other vintages, and the medium fruity style is quite unique. They do not have the full intensity of the 2015s and the 2016s – yet it has a nice fruity style .. and are drinking very well indeed in my view.

So lets go on with the tasting notes!

Domaine Patrice Rion, Bourgogne Les Bons Batons 2017

The Bourgogne Rouge “Les Bons Batons” is showing nice fruit, medium weight, with a nice midpalate fruit. There is a good freshness and tension in the wine – showing well for short term drinking – in my view.

(Drink from 2019) – Good – (84 – 85p) – Tasted 04/06/2018 – from CASK

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Domaine Patrice Rion, Cote de Nuits Village 2017

The Cote de Nuits village is a step up in concentration from the Bourgogne Bons Batons. Lovely depth in the mid-palate fruit, good length and drinkability – showing well for short and medium term drinking.

(Drink from 2020) – Good – (85 – 86p) – Tasted 04/06/2018 – from CASK

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Domaine Patrice Rion, Nuits-Saint-Georges 2017

The Nuits-Saint-Georges from Patrice Rion is offering lovely fruit and a good power for the vintage. It’s rather classic with plenty of darker fruit, offering good ripeness … both charming and enjoyable.

(Drink from 2025) – Good++ – (87 – 88p) – Tasted 04/06/2018 – from CASK

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Domaine Patrice Rion, Chambolle Musigny Vieilles Vignes 2015

This village comes from a plot in the terroir “Aux Croix” or Les Croix located below the village and the terroir La Taupe located near the forest above the Musigny vineyard. This wine is offering a lovely collection of red and dark berries – nice mineral note from the terroir in the background. Fine potential and good lenght.

(Drink from 2025) – Very Good – (87 – 88p) – Tasted 04/06/2018 – from CASK

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Domaine Patrice Rion, Chambolle Musigny Les Cras 2015

This village comes from the village part of the Cras terroir .. i.e. the upper part. This is from 40 year old vine – offering a relatively rich and ample fruit. Fine mineral note is giving a lovely support to the fruit – a delightful wine in the making.

(Drink from 2025) – Very Good – (88 – 89p) – Tasted 04/06/2018 – from CASK

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Domaine Patrice Rion, Vosne-Romanée Les Reas 2017

A precious terroir in the Vosne-Romanée southern end .. a rare bird .. from 40 year old vines. The nose is brimming from violets and deep and relatively dark fruits. On the palate intense – and very much Vosne-Romanée. Will be exiting to see this wine unfold – it’s quite a beauty.

(Drink from 2028) – Very Good – (89 – 90p) – Tasted 04/06/2018 – from CASK

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Domaine Patrice Rion, Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Argillieres 2017

Les Argillieres is one of my favoite terroirs in the village. The 2017 is showing very well indeed – bursting with fruit. Lovely balance between the quite ample fruit and the fine mineral note of the terrorir.

(Drink from 2028) – Fine++ – (92 – 93p) – Tasted 04/06/2018 – from CASK

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Domaine Patrice Rion, Nuits-Saint-Georges Clos St. Marc 2017

Clos St. Marc is showing a bit more body and soul than Les Argilieres – with it’s more generous and rounded nature. Lovely forward fruit – depth and intensity. It’s medium weight with a nice balance between the deep minerality and the deep ripe fruit. I do like the generous nature of this 1er cru.

(Drink from 2030) – Very Fine – (92 – 93p) – Tasted 04/06/2018 – from CASK

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Domaine Patrice Rion, Clos de Vougeot 2017

The Clos de Vougeots is a new wine in the porfolio – a truly lovely wine – as quite many Clos de Vougeots of the vintage. Layers of deep red berries, lovely density and depth in the fruit. Delightful balance with a fine acidity and a fine tension between the generous fruit and the vivid verve. A beautifully balanced Vougeot ..

(Drink from 2030) – Very Fine+ – (93 – 95p) – Tasted 04/06/2018 – from CASK

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Recommended wines from Domaine Patrice Rion

There are quite many favourites from Domaine Patrice Rion, but in the end I tend to choose the following …

Domaine Patrice Rion, Vosne-Romanée Les Reas 2017 and Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Argillieres 2017 + the benchmarking Nuits-Saint-Georges, Clos St. Marc 2017.

One could also be temptet to pick the Clos de Vougeot …