2010 Louis Jadot Musigny Grand Cru
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Tasting notes
The 2010 Musigny Grand Cru, which finished its malolactic fermentation particularly late, has a compelling, exotic bouquet with potent menthol and licorice scents that Frederic put down to the veneer of oak that will be subsumed with time. The palate is packed to the rafters with sinewy, succulent red berry fruit that firmly grips but declines to overwhelm the palate. There is real heft to this Grand Cru that is endowed with a powerhouse finish and a lingering aftertaste that remains for more than a minute. Superb. Drink 2016-2035. This was the first time I had been back to Louis Jadot’s expansive winery on the northern outskirts of Beaune since their memorable 150th anniversary tasting back in 2008. As I quipped in the previous issue, Jacques Lardiere was then talking about his imminent retirement that seemed to never come. But on this occasion, there was new winemaker Frederic Barnier there to greet me. He has large shoes to fill but he seems up to the task of steering this important Burgundy name to a new chapter, having worked alongside Jacques for a couple of years. “At the beginning, we were not so confident about the whites,” he explained in reference to his 2011s, “but it has been a nice surprise. The dry spring of 2011 affected the level of ripeness but it has lent freshness, but with low acidity.” We did not have time to taste the entire portfolio of over 80 crus, but instead took a sample of 20 white and reds from both the 2010 and 2011 vintages. Importer: Kobrand, Purchase, NY; tel. (914) 253-7700
Critic scores
Neal Martin
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2010 Musigny conquers the palate and all of the senses, both intellectual and hedonistic, with its deeply expressive fruit. It shows dazzling finesse and a spherical personality that is breathtaking. This is another wine that finished its malo on the late side, so the wine is naturally still a bit backward. Saline notes wrap around the beautifully articulated finish. I only hope to have a chance to taste this from bottle. A recent bottle of the 1985 was still in great shape. If anything, it may have been opened too young!
Bright medium red. Candied raspberry, blood orange, peony, crushed stone and white pepper; a real essence of Musigny. Like liquid silk on the palate, offering an uncanny combination of sweetness and energy. Totally primary today yet even more showy than the Amoureuses. The tactile, high-pitched flavors of pomegranate, citrus peel and flowers carry through on the explosive aftertaste. It's nearly impossible to scrape this elixir off the palate.
Subtle, much drier than the Bonnes Mares. Such energy and integrity. Savoury and dense and nothing at all like the fruity opulence of Jadot’s Bonnes Mares. Intellectual and dense with lots of tension. Long and reverberant. (JR)
About the producer
Louis Jadot is arguably the most consistent négociant house in Burgundy. It has managed to straddle both the entry-level and fine wine market, while retaining respect in both.