Visit to Domaine Pierre Labet – tasting the 2018s

The wines of Domaine Pierre Labet are to me a bit overlooked, and furthermore overshadowed by the wines Labet makes at Chateau de la Tour, the top brand of his group.

This is why I review these wines separately: to give them the attention they deserve.

About Domaine Pierre Labet

Chateau de la Tour is renowned for making some of the very best wines from the Clos de Vougeot. François Labet, the owner and manager of Chateau de la Tour, is, however, making tremendous wines from his other family estate, Domaine Pierre Labet, which has large vineyard holdings scattered among Burgundy’s appellations.

The vines are biodynamic now, and the wines are of fine quality, and quite refined for their level.

The Labet portfolio includes some interesting terroirs located on the outskirts of certain appellations, hence often offering a varied expression of terroir.

Examples are Beaune Clos du Dessus de Marconnets, a village vineyard located at the northern end of the Beaune appellation at the very top of the slope. François produces both a lovely white and a charming red from this rather remote Beaune terroir.

In Meursault, Labet owns a large plot in the village terroir Les Tillets – located at the very top of Meursault above Les Narvaux. A lieu-dit producing mineral-driven Meursaults that appeal to hard-core terroir collectors (like me), when combined with Domaine Labet’s delicate, refined style, it offers a lovely Meursault experience.

So what could appear to be a “middle-of-the-road” addendum to the Clos de Vougeot’s top wines is actually an exciting estate with lovely wines from interesting terroirs. They should not be missed.

As a bonus, the estate is working organically and, from 2015, even biodynamically. This is a serious operation, and its work translates into lovely, highly competent wines.

Tasting notes for the white 2018s from Domaine Pierre Labet

Have no doubt: 2018 is a hot year, and this is of course evident in the wines. François Labet is, however, a sure-handed and competent winemaker, so there are no disasters in the cellar here. The whites are all enjoyable wines, with no unpleasant surprises. It is important to note that not all “surprises” in 2018 are good, so Labet should be happy with his 2018s.

Domaine Pierre Labet Bourgogne Blanc Vieilles Vignes 2018

The Bourgogne Blanc Vieilles Vignes is a lively glass and, as always, encapsulates the qualities of Pierre Labet’s line-up. The nose offers fresh, vibrant, citrus-infused fruit with a discrete oak impression. It is on the warmish side, but balanced, with nice freshness. Enjoyable.

(Drink From 2020) – Good (85-87p) – tasted 06/07/2020

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Domaine Pierre Labet Beaune Clos du Dessus de Marconnets 2018

What can I say? I adore a good white Beaune. The 2018 version of the Clos du Dessus de Marconnets has all the Beaune charm I look for. It’s warmish and generous, with a delightful saline balance and a citrus-infused nose and palate – delicate and refined. This is very enjoyable, as a number of the good white 2018s are.

(Drink From 2026) – Very Good (89-90p) – tasted 06/07/2020 –

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Domaine Pierre Labet Meursault Tillets 2018

The Meursault Tillets is an old favourite, located high on the slope above Les Narvaux. The nose has vivid, mineral-driven fruit, with citrus-infused oak giving nice freshness and balance. Lively, although warmish rather than classical perhaps. But for this level, it will provide lovely mid-term drinking.

(Drink From 2026) – Very Good (89p) – tasted 06/07/2020

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Domaine Pierre Labet Savigny-les-Beaune Aux Vergelesses 2018

The Savigny-les-Beaune Aux Vergelesses a lively wine. The nose offers intense, generous fruit with notable minerality. It is well structured with quite some saline oomph. This is a lovely food wine that will provide welcome company to even richer dishes. Enjoy!

(Drink From 2027) – Very Good+ (89-90p) – tasted 06/07/2020

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Tasting notes for the red 2018s from Domaine Pierre Labet

The reds are also on the warmish side, and perhaps need more time to unfold. I don’t know why exactly, but I find the whites more enjoyable at this stage. But with the reds being engulfed in darker fruit notes at the moment, please give them some time.

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Domaine Pierre Labet Bourgogne Rouge Vieilles Vignes 2018

The red Burgundy from Domaine Pierre Labet is zappy, but a bit dense; typical of 2018. It has attractive mid-palate fruit – dark cherries – but will benefit from a year or two year in the cellar. On the dense side for me.

(Drink From 2022) – Good (85-86p) – tasted 06/07/2020

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Domaine Pierre Labet Beaune Clos du Dessus de Marconnets 2018

The Clos du Dessus de Marconnets is a village vineyard high on the slope in the very northern part of the Beaune appellation. It’s rich, velvety, and has a lovely floral spiciness. This is not a monumental wine, but it pleases my palate. Very enjoyable, with expressive clove notes.

(Drink From 2026) – Very Good (87-89p) – tasted 06/07/2020 –

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Domaine Pierre Labet Beaune Aux Coucherias 2018

This 1er cru is a step up in concentration and velvety lushness. With nice mineral, floral intensity, this comes from a quite steep vineyard at the top of the slope above another of my favourite appellations in Beaune – Aux Cras. The nose is forward and juicy, with dark fruit and a certain oomph, without being overly dense. Enjoyable rather than seductive.

(Drink From 2027) – Fine (89-90p) – tasted 06/07/2020

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Domaine Pierre Labet Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 2018

The Gevrey village Vieilles Vignes is the odd Cote de Nuit out in this lineup – although it’s a lovely wine. This year it is quite a winner, with impressive intensity and a velvety glow. Very agreeable mid-palate fruit; lively, with delightful joie de vivre. This has some good emotional values.

(Drink From 2027) – Very Good+ (89-90p) – tasted 06/07/2020 –

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The Clos de Vougeots

The tasting notes on the three Clos de Vougeots of Chateau de la Tour are found in a separate article here.