Healthy yield and crop in Morey Saint Denis

2016 was an excellent vintage especially for Pinot Noir, but many producers suffered from a small crop this year due to frost and mildew to some extend. The overall Burgundy production in 2016 was 1.223 million hectoliters, 18% less from 2015 vintage. Many less fortunate producers’ crop were down by 1/3 in 2016. Domaine Dujac as well as many other grape growers in Morey Saint Denis were blessed with almost no intervention by the frost in 2016, hence their crop was mostly very healthy and higher than average. Even Dujac’s Clos de la Roche achieved 40 hl/ha in this vintage.

Screenshot taken from Google Earth to show the proximity of Clos de la Roche and Aux Combottes in Gevrey Chambertin.

Tasting Notes

Puligny Montrachet Premier Cru Les Folatieres 2016

Domaine Dujac started producing Puligny Montrachet Les Folatieres as well as Les Combettes since 2014 when Hermitage leased the two highly sought after vineyard to them in agreement that around half the production goes to them. The 2016 Dujac Puligny Montrachet Les Folatieres 2016 is smartly oaked and spiced, fashionable in style. Beautiful orchard fruits, honied nectarine, spices and expansive minerals of Les Folatieres. Dujac’s Puligny Montrachet are very much up my street. This should be approachable in the coming 5 years. (90/100)

Gevrey Chambertin Premier Cru Aux Combottes 2016

Perhaps it makes more sense to know that the Gevrey Chambertin Aux Combottes is located right next to Clos de la Roche, Dujac’s stronghold. Other than Aux Combottes, they also own parcels in Charmes Chambertin and Chambertin. Brilliant concentration and vibrant dark fruits, much tighter than the 2015 which was juicy and energetic. This 2016 has a solid core, black olives, spiced flowers and dark berries. Terrific weight for a Premier Cru. Drink from 2028 onwards. (92/100)

Vosne Romanee Premier Cru Les Beaux Monts 2016

The 2016 Les Beaux Monts is very gentle and elegant compared to the Clos de la Roche. Gorgeous array of dark cherry fruits, charming spices and sleek minerals of Vosne Romanee. Stunning perfumes and texture. Dujac owns 0.72 ha of Les Beaux Monts, which most of it was acquired in 2005/2006, 30-70 year old vines. A very good spot for Domaine Dujac. (93-94/100)

Vosne Romanee Premier Cru Aux Malconsorts 2016

The 2016 Dujac Vosne Romanee Malconsorts is intensely dark and in-depth. 2016 reminds me of 2010, but possibly a bit more concentrated. Dark scented berries, sweet spices, Vosne earth and rose petals. Still reserved. This Malconsorts will need two decades of ageing to soften up its masculine structure. (94+/100)

Clos Saint Denis 2016

The 2016 Dujac Clos St Denis offers a pretty floral aromas with deep pitched dark fruits and spices. Blackcurrant, refined minerals and robust backbone. There is a more apparent whole cluster floral tone in the Clos st Denis than the Malconsorts and Clos de la Roche, but perhaps not as big boned as Clos de la Roche. The Clos St Denis is more expressive and forward than their Clos de la Roche. Nice balance of wood fame and fruits. This Clos St Denis is built to age. (95/100)

Clos de la Roche 2016

The 2016 Dujac Clos de la roche is a monumental wine. The fruits are as dark and as intense as the Dark Knight Rises. Layers of juicy fruits, exotic spices and nutmeg infused soil. Gorgeous flavours with masculine structure, this wine is built to age longer than most people who is reading this today (myself included). Full bodied and multilayered yet it is incredibly refined and compelling. At this stage, the Clos de la Roche is not showing more than the Clos St Denis, but you can tell it will outperform one day with its immense raw material. Drink from 2036 onwards. (96+/100)

Overall impression

Dujac made an incredible selection of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in 2016. The Chardonnays are charming and stylish, and should be able to appreciate in the coming few years. The reds are build for serious ageing, especially at Grand Cru level (wines to leave to your grandchildren). I would highly recommend buying some and aging them for as long as possible, these are wines that should only go up in value with time.