What can I say: It is always a pleasure to visit Thibaud Clerget in Pommard, and the 2018 Clerget wines really impressed me on this most recent occasion.
I first visited Thibaud in 2016, tasting the 2015 vintage, and the 2018 wines really show the improvements he has implemented since (almost equally hot) 2015.
Hot years require experience and practice
While the grapes in hot years are often riper, the vinification is not necessarily easier, as maintaining coolness during the harvest and vinification requires experience.
I was therefore slightly surprised to see the fine results from Thibaud Clerget in his first vintage: 2015. Yes, some of the wines were perhaps a bit on the hot side, but in general the balance was there.
Tasting the 2016s revealed, however, some small room for improvement in the 2015s – and showed the potential of this fine estate, and the talent of Thibaud.
Now we have the 2018s in the glass, and despite the fact that 2018 was a hotter vintage than 2015, the 2018 wines here are even more vivid and fresh, showing finer details and energy. This shows what Thibaud can do today. These are seriously lovely wines.
The 2018s from Domaine Y. Clerget
The 2018 vintage is in my view the best vintage so far produced by Thibaud. It’s generous, vivid and energetic, with more focus and definition than the 2015s.
These wines offer tremendous pleasure and intensity, with fine balance and a gorgeous display of terroir. They have more energy than the 2015s, and more vivid and generous charm than the fine 2016s.
The wines are very impressive and underline the impression that Thibaud has taken a further step up the quality ladder, with tremendous wines of wonderful balance and intensity. But first and foremost the wines have a delightful energy – so essential to the intense 2018s.
Tasting notes from May 23th, 2019
To the notes…
Domaine Y. Clerget, Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2018
The Bourgogne Pinot Noir is quite an intense wine for this level – vivid and floral. The bouquet is offering juicy red and dark berry fruit, and a nice expression of earthy minerality. On the palate, fine balance with a nice floral hint. Drinking very well with its vivid freshness.
(Drink from 2020) – Very Good (86 – 87p) – Tasted 23/05/2019
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Domaine Y. Clerget, Volnay 2018
The Volnay is brilliant: expressive and feminine with the generous 2018 fruit hiding in the back of the palate. This has delightful vigor and energy, and a lovely sensual mix of red and dark fruit does really give this wine an airy vivaciousness. It is showing very well indeed. No new oak in this cuvée adds to the fresh aspect of the fruit.
(Drink from 2026) – Very Good (88 – 89p) – Tasted 23/05/2019
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