2016 Beaune Greves
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Tasting notes
(these vines were 95 years old in 2016): Good dark red. Complex, tangy scents of raspberry liqueur, smoke, spices and minerals. In a fatter style than the Clos des Aigrots, offering a hint of black cherry fruit and good mid-palate sweetness. Finishes with a spicy dusting of tannins and excellent old-vines reserve. Frédéric Lafarge told me that 25% of these vines were killed by years of hail, essentially "running out energy." The estate will be replanting this parcel this year after letting the land lie fallow for two years.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2016 Beaune 1er Cru Les Grèves comes from the oldest vines at the domaine, now some 95 years old. The fruit profile on the nose is a little darker than the Beaune Aigrots but just as well defined. Perhaps they are more tightly knit at the moment? The palate is very well balanced and the tannin less chalky than the Aigrots, but it compensates with more density and substance. It has a lovely dark berry and bay leaf finish. Give this 3 or 4 years in bottle and you will have a very delicious Les Grèves on your hands.
95-year-old vines – their oldest. A quarter has been pulled out because of the effects of the 2012 hail and planted with mass selection from the domaine. They will blend the two eventually. Lots of grunt and depth. Really very special and deeply flavoured. Very smart. A major part of the renaissance of Beaune! (JR)