2008 Clos St Denis

This year’s two and a half barrels of Arlaud 2008 Clos St.-Denis are scented with sandalwood, cherry preserves, and unexpected notes of eucalyptus. Firmly yet finely tannic, subtly oily, bright and possessed of a tactile sense of spiciness and chalkiness, this is a grand cru of impressive reach, grip, and a noteworthy measure of vintage-signature verve. It ought to be worth following for at least 12-15 years. Cyprien Arlaud’s 2008s built on the success of his 2005s and 2006s, leading me to regret that I could not find time to taste his 2007s. (For more about recent changes at this estate, consult my report in issue 186.) Between measures taken to avoid and eliminate botrytis and the dehydrating effect of the north wine, explained Arlaud, he sacrificed one-third the volume of what he considers a normal crop. Arlaud showed me the chart on which he had recorded the picking dates for his parcels, and it represented, he assured me, a crazy-quilt unprecedented in his estate’s history. More than a week, for example, separated the harvest dates of his Morey premier crus Les Chezeaux and Les Ruchots; and some appellations were picked in as many as three tranches. But by careful strategizing and relatively late commencement of his entire harvest, Arlaud was able to remain true to his intention not to chaptalize by much more than half a degree. In the event, he ended up with 2008s in the upper 12s and low 13s in percent alcohol. Cuvaisons lasted up to thirty days, in part thanks to a slow, cold pre-fermentative start, but Arlaud limited pigeage to 3-5 total performances. Malos – with the exception of a Sentiers that charged ahead – were finished by high summer of 2009. (Arlaud is among those who ascribe 2008s problematic malos at least in part to growers having taken the advice of their oenologist and been liberal with sulfuring their grapes and musts.) Arlaud utilized a small proportion of whole clusters and stems on this year’s grand crus, but noted “this was not an ideal vintage for commencing to utilize a significant proportion of stems.” A Peter Vezan Selection (various importers), Paris; fax 011 33 1 42 55 42 93