2018 Domaine Louis Boillot

 
Louis has some superb vineyards in both the Cote de Nuits & the Cotes de Beaune. Combining small production with wonderful old vines, we think he is making some utterly stunning wine. He shares the cellars in Chambolle with his wife Ghislaine Barthod and has been producing for his own label since 2003, this is a Domaine producing first class results and in our opinion, flying a little under the radar.

Alongside his excellent wines from the Cote, he also has some truly excellent Beaujolais, an area that is back in the spotlight and rightly so!
 
These are not to be missed!

2018 Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru, Champonnet - £348 per 6

90-92 Points (Neal Martin, Vinous Media)

The 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin Champonnets 1er Cru is bestowed with darker fruit than the Evocelles at the moment, offering well-defined blackberry and light briary aromas. There is a pleasing minerally undercurrent at play here. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm tannins lending fine backbone, but this does not possess the same degree of precision and charm as the Evocelles toward the finish. Let’s see if it develops by the time of bottling.

2018 Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru, Cherbaudes - £435 per 6

90-92 Points (Neal Martin, Vinous Media)

The 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Cherbaudes 1er Cru offers a mixture of red and black fruit on the nose, intermixed with truffle oil and dried blood aromas; quite complex and engaging. The palate is medium-bodied with a supple opening, then fleshy and lightly spiced. It does not quite kick on as I was expecting and seems rather conservative toward the finish, although maybe it has something up its sleeve for later.

2018 Nuit-Saint-Georges, Pruliers - £390 per 6

89-91 Points (Neal Martin, Vinous Media)

The 2018 Nuits Saint-Georges Les Pruliers 1er Cru comes from a parcel that suffered around 10% hail damage in July, which stressed the vines. It has a nicely proportioned bouquet of brambly red fruit, sous-bois and brown spices, though it is missing a little lift. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit. Quite a solid Les Pruliers, but I suspect the hail erased some of the nuance and precision from the finish.

2018 Volnay, Les Bouillards - £276 per 6

91-93 Points (Neal Martin, Vinous Media)

The 2018 Volnay Les Brouillards 1er Cru has a fragrant bouquet of raspberry preserve, crushed strawberry and cranberry aromas that are neatly entwined with the oak. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chewy tannins. A big-boned Volnay, quite spicy in the mouth, with black pepper and graphite notes toward the grippy finish. This has good long-term potential.

2018 Volnay, Les Angles - £276 per 6

89-91 Points (Neal Martin, Vinous Media)

The 2018 Volnay Les Angles 1er Cru was the first parcel picked, on August 25, and the alcohol still comes in at 13.1%. It has a generous bouquet of red cherries, raspberry and pomegranate tinged with rose petals. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins. Quite a weighty and voluminous Volnay, with a touch of white pepper and bay leaf toward the finish. Fine, though I would like a little more tension in the mouth.

2018 Volnay, Les Caillerets - £390 per 6

90-92 Points (Neal Martin, Vinous Media)

The 2018 Volnay Les Caillerets 1er Cru comes from a single plot of vines. It has a perfumed nose, the most mineral-driven of the four Volnays from Boillot and probably showing the best delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins that lend a sense of strictness and correctness. You just want it to manifest more joie-de-vivre toward the finish. Maybe it will lighten up in bottle.

2018 Beaujolais:

2018 Moulin a Vent Les Rouchaux - £150 per 12 & £165 per 6 magnums

(Seckford Wines)
A concentrated structure with great minerality, a little spice and deep core of bright cherry fruit. Beautiful energy, well balanced and really fine, lush drinking.

2018 Moulin a Vent Plantier de Favre - £184 per 12 & £199 per 6 magnums

(Seckford Wines)
A fine ‘Burgundian’ Gamay nose, concentrated and creamy. Bright red fruit with a floral hint. Very vinous with a superb intensity and long finish – simply stunning.

2018 Fleurie Grille-Midi - £150 per 12 & £165 per 6 magnums

(Seckford Wines)
Wonderful creamy nose. Deep, structured and vibrant, with silky tannins. Lovely to drink on the young side but like all of these, will age effortlessly in the cellar too.