Domaine Jean-Jacques Confuron
2018 Romanée St. VivantGrand Cru Red 750 ml
Score: 93
Tasted: Jan 10, 2021
Drink: 2036+
Issue: 81
Note: from vines planted in 1922
Producer note: Louis Confuron noted that 2018 was “very hot and fairly dry though not as dry as 2019. We picked from the 28th of August under excellent harvest conditions and brought in super-clean fruit except in Prémeaux which was hit several times by hail. While yields in general were pretty generous, which is to say around 40 hl/ha, we were down some 85% in the areas hit by hail, including our Bourgogne. Potential alcohols were on the higher side without being a concern as the highest was 13.8%. Acidities by contrast were low yet fortunately the wines don’t taste as though they are lacking in acidity. As to the wines, they are very concentrated and densely tannic and should necessarily age for a very long time. I would say that we were surprised by how dense the wines are given the higher than normal yields, at least for us. My theory is that the hot growing season thickened the skins so much that the dry extract was much higher than usual.” Note that the 2018s were bottled between October 2019 and February 2020 using the Diam brand composite cork. (Caveau Selections, www.caveauselections.com, OR, USA; Fortnum & Mason, www.fortnumandmason.com, UK; Altaya Wines, www.altayawines.com, Hong Kong).
Tasting note: A highly spiced nose features notes of cassis, plum, hoisin and a hint of sandalwood. The ripe, mouth coating and delicious medium-bodied flavors possess excellent length on the well-balanced if youthfully austere finish that also really firms up as it sits on the palate. This is definitely a “buy and forget you own it” wine as I would advise not touching a bottle for at least 10 years and 15 to 20 would likely be better.
Domaine Jean-Jacques Confuron, Romanee-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru
US$3,300 / 每箱價格
Domaine Jean-Jacques Confuron
2018 Romanée St. VivantGrand Cru Red 750 ml
Score: 93
Tasted: Jan 10, 2021
Drink: 2036+
Issue: 81
Note: from vines planted in 1922
Producer note: Louis Confuron noted that 2018 was “very hot and fairly dry though not as dry as 2019. We picked from the 28th of August under excellent harvest conditions and brought in super-clean fruit except in Prémeaux which was hit several times by hail. While yields in general were pretty generous, which is to say around 40 hl/ha, we were down some 85% in the areas hit by hail, including our Bourgogne. Potential alcohols were on the higher side without being a concern as the highest was 13.8%. Acidities by contrast were low yet fortunately the wines don’t taste as though they are lacking in acidity. As to the wines, they are very concentrated and densely tannic and should necessarily age for a very long time. I would say that we were surprised by how dense the wines are given the higher than normal yields, at least for us. My theory is that the hot growing season thickened the skins so much that the dry extract was much higher than usual.” Note that the 2018s were bottled between October 2019 and February 2020 using the Diam brand composite cork. (Caveau Selections, www.caveauselections.com, OR, USA; Fortnum & Mason, www.fortnumandmason.com, UK; Altaya Wines, www.altayawines.com, Hong Kong).
Tasting note: A highly spiced nose features notes of cassis, plum, hoisin and a hint of sandalwood. The ripe, mouth coating and delicious medium-bodied flavors possess excellent length on the well-balanced if youthfully austere finish that also really firms up as it sits on the palate. This is definitely a “buy and forget you own it” wine as I would advise not touching a bottle for at least 10 years and 15 to 20 would likely be better.
