Visit Domaine Y. Clerget – tasting of the 2017s from cask

My third visit at Domaine Y. Clerget … again – on a very hot summer day in Pommard.

Great to be back at Y. Clerget to taste another vintage from Thibaud Clerget who has expanded a bit with a few wines.

First and foremost is however one year more of experience under the belt – and while the 2017s perhaps is a lesser vintage than the two previous years, I do find this vintage equally interesting.

The 2017s from Domaine Y. Clerget

The 2017 vintage is a fresh and quite vivid vintage, and to be honest not quite as “big” as the two previous vintages.

As a vintage 2017 have however plenty of fruit and intensity for the short and medium term ageing, and will keep beautifully even in the longer run …

Judged form the tasting of the 2017s I do feel that Thibaud have made some lovely wines in this vintage – and to be honest not that fra behind the two previous years.

The wines are more forward and open than the 2016s, and perhaps more detailed than the 2015s. While this could well be a question of time, I do feel that the 2017s have a lovely charming personality that will give a lot of pleasure over the next 10 years.

In other words – lovely wines …

Tasting notes from May 30th 2018

The 2017s are a bit on the lighter side than the 2015 and 2016 vintages, and this does change the wines a bit in general, and does give Thibaud Clerget some new ground to cover – taste wise.

Domaine Y. Clerget, Volnay 2017

The Volnay 2015 is somewhat lighter than the 2015 and 2016, again offering a more floral and transparent expression. The bouquet is offering juicy red and dark berry fruit – lovely expression of earthy minerality. The palate good concentration – fruity with a nice mid-palate although lighter than the two previous vintages. A lovely Volnay …

(Drink from 2024) – Very Good (87 – 88p) – Tasted 30/05/2018

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Domaine Y. Clerget, Volnay Mitan 2017

The Volnay Les Mitans is a step up in concentration … with deeper fruit – slightly darker balanced for the year. The vineyard is located below the village – slightly towards the north of the village. The nose offer plenty of red and dark fruit – with a good impression of minerality. The palate show juicy and transparent fruit – quite forward with a nice floral note.

(Drink from 2025) – Very Good (90 – 91p) – Tasted 30/05/2018

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Domaine Y. Clerget, Volnay Carelle Sous la Chapelle 2017

The Volnay Carelle Sous la Chapelle is a vivid and forward wine – from the 1er cru just below the village. The nose offer plenty of rather cool fruit – red and dark forest berries – with a nice vivid impression of minerality. Seems more floral and open than the 2016 .. offering lovely drinking.

(Drink from 2025) – Very Good (90 – 91p) – Tasted 30/05/2018

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Domaine Y. Clerget, Volnay Santenots 2017

The Volany Santenots is a lovely forward and fruity wine. Lovely red notes in the bouquet, supported by a fine stony minerality. On the palate lovely intense fruit – rather delicate – and forward – as only Santenots can be.

(Drink from 2025) – Fine (91 – 92p) – Tasted 30/05/2018

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Domaine Y. Clerget, Volnay Volnay Champans 2017

As always the Volnay Champans is quite a brute – weigthy and concentrated. Oak a bit dominant currently but will surely integrate. Nose quite open with red and dark berries. On the palate rich and weighty – quite dark compared to the lighter cuvees. A wine for cellaring ..

(Drink from 2027) – Very Good+ (90 – 91p) – Tasted 30/05/2018

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Domaine Y. Clerget, Volnay Clos de Verseuil monopole 2017

Also this year delightful – elegant and delicate. A monopole located just below the village of Volnay and the Domaine Pousse d’Or estate – and north of Volnay Taille Peids. The nose is complex displaying slightly warm variations of cherries – charming and on the floral side. On the palate quite velvet and rich – a lot of fresh and vivid fruit. A very charming wine indeed.

(Drink from 2027) – Fine (92 – 93p) – Tasted 30/05/2018

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Domaine Y. Clerget, Volnay Caillerets 2017

The last of the Volnays is the mighty Valnay Caillerets. A wine made from 60 year old vines – so plenty of depth and complexity in this wine. Very fresh and vibrant – with a lovely depth – lovely red and dark berries on the palate. The bouquet is floral with plenty and fruit – vivid and with lovely notes of flowers.

(Drink from 2026) – Fine+ (92 – 93p) – Tasted 30/05/2018

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Domaine Y. Clerget, Pommard Rugiens 2017

The Pommard Rugiens 2017 is a forward but nevertheless rather big wine. The nose is vivid with a lovely tension and floral energy – red and dark berries – and with hint of peony rose. On the palate deep, vivacious and with considerable concentration for the vintage.

(Drink from 2027) – Very Fine (92 – 93p) – Tasted 30/05/2018

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Domaine Y. Clerget, Clos de Vougeot 2017

The Clos de Vougeots is with 50% stems – from a plot just in the top of the vineyard – below Grand Echezeaux. The bouquet complex layered fruit – deep and with a tremendous complexity. On the palate fine depth and length – a vivid but still mineral driven Clos de Vougeot. Lighter than the 2016 – but still a treat.

(Drink from 2029) – Very Fine (93 – 94p) – Tasted 30/05/2018

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Domaine Y. Clerget, Meursault Les Chevalieres 2017

The second vintage of the lovely Meursault Les Chevalieres. The 2017 has a lovely balance – quite cool for the vintage with a lovely energy. The nose has a lovely mineral driven fruit – quite airy and with a lovely tension. On the palate lovely energy and a quite vivid acidity – medium weight and with a lovely balance.

(Drink from 2025) – Very Good (88 – 90p) – Tasted 30/05/2018

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Winehog Recommendations

I can recommend all the wines of the 2017 portfolio – my absolute favourites are the Volnay Santenots 2017, Clos de Verseuil monopole 2017, Valnay Caillerets 2017 and the Clos de Vougeot …

The Meursault Les Chevalieres is also showing fine quality …