2015 Monthelie Les Duresses
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Tasting notes
Medium red with a faint hint of amber at the rim. Aromas of redcurrant, mint and menthol. Juicy, fresh flavors of red berries and spices display a lovely sugar/acid balance, giving this attractive wine considerable early appeal. Finishes with fine-grained tannins and very good length. The crop here was a full 45 hectoliters per hectare, vs. just 25 to 30 for Lafon's Volnays.
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2015 Monthélie Les Duresses has a lovely, frisky raspberry coulis and strawberry-scented bouquet with good intensity. The palate is fleshy and generous with a keen line of acidity, harmonious with a pleasant touch of piquancy on the finish.
Cask sample. Rich and grainy without great depth but angular and very à la mode. Sour finish. Quite tart. (JR)
(this "big crop [45 hectoliters per hectare] in a cold spot" was picked at a moderate 12.5% potential alcohol): Bright, dark red. Very pure aromas of cherry and raspberry complemented by a toasty nuance and hints of mocha and flowers. Silky and enticingly sweet, displaying surprising sappy energy for the year. Beefier and sweeter than the 2014 version, and a touch more tannic, but a wonderfully fresh Monthélie with more red fruits than black. A touch of salinity contributes to the impression of restraint. A delightful midweight with energy and length. Lafon vinifed this wine with 5% whole clusters, noting that he works his Monthélie in a lighter style, as this appellation is "generally not intended for longer aging."