Rather low yields due to the impacts of hail early in the year. Sadly… But, then, what concentration, what mellowness ! The Cru enforces its rule here : only they who will be patient will be rewarded in full… after some ten years.
The vintage

Like 1991 coming after 1990, this Great Vintage - as this is a Great
Vintage - may go somewhat unnoticed, after the celebrated 2015,
and in the shade of its dazzling southern cousin...
A certain heterogeneity amongst Red Wines, a gorgeous aromatic definition in the white Wines. All Northern wines will not necessarily be successful this year. The harvest was generous. Sometimes even a little too generous. The quality of some cuvées undeniably suffered, on some sectors. However, and as always, the “reasonable and serious” Vignerons produced superbly colorful, stylish, and mineral Wines, which ranks this 2016 Vintage in the elite of the successful Vintages. with full, juicy, and silkiest Wines !

Terroir

Pierrelles, Beaumes, Murets.

Type of soil

Clayey granitic.

Ageing

Ageing 24 months in new and one year old barrels. Tronçais, Allier and Jupille.

Serving

14°C
Decant 2 hours before tasting.

Alcohol content

13,5%

Bottling

Without fining and light filtration.

Cépages

Marsanne : 80 %
Roussanne : 20 %

Deep yellowy straw. Too dense to have that much aroma at this point. But there is fabulous structure. Rich limey fruit on the palate within a framework of gingery richness. This should really blossom. Very serious stuff. Long.

Jancis Robinson , 17,5++/20 , 2017-12-01

Lush and languid, featuring creamed apple, pear and Cavaillon melon flavors, lined with salted butter accents and enveloped by a warm brioche note. The finish lingers, revealing a showy persona. Marsanne and Roussanne. Drink now through 2022

Wine Spectator , 93/100 , 2019-03-27

Bright yellow-gold. A highly complex bouquet evokes ripe orchard and pit fruits, saffron and pungent flowers, and a potent suggestion of smoky minerals emerges with air. Sappy and densely packed on the palate, offering intense poached pear, dried peach, honey and sweet butter flavors that deepen and spread out steadily on the back half. Powerful and deeply concentrated yet surprisingly graceful, finishing very long and chewy, delivering outstanding energy and persistent floral and mineral notes.

Josh Reynolds
Vinous , 94/100 , 2018-06-01