2018 was a fruitful vintage for Domaine Bruno Colin. Their whites are open-knit and charming, and their reds were better than I had expected. Harvest started on the 1st of September, they managed to make some rich and flashy wines in this vintage.
Bruno Colin has a strong market in France, 50% of the production are sold within France and 50% exported, US is their biggest market.
Winemaking
Whites spends 12 months in oak and around 3 months in stainless steel tank. Some battonage on the whites. Reds were 100% destemmed with 1 week of cold maceration.
Tasting Notes
Bourgogne Blanc 2018
A blend of their Domaine grapes and purchased grapes to increase volume. Simple and forward ripe fruits with mild oak spices, uncomplicated but nice and easy drinking. Great energy and weight for a Bourgogne. (82/100)
Chassagne Montrachet 2018
The Chassagne Montrachet spent 10-12 months in barrels then 2 months in stainless steel tanks. 10-12% new oak. Bright and fleshy yellow fruits with lovely texture and mild oak spices. (83/100)
Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chaumees 2018
10-12% new oak. Delicate tree fruits and refined minerals, I always find Les Chaumes offers a powdery mineral. Juicy citrus with granny smith apples. 13.6-13.9% alcohol. Good length with direct fruits. (84-85/100)
Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeots 2018
From 0.42ha plot in Francemont lieu dit. This 2018 Morgeot offers more fruit concentration than Chaumees. Generous ripe tree fruit and juicy lemons. Premier Cru weight with focused acidity. Expressive and approachable. (85/100)
Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru En Remilly 2018
Only 6 barrels produced from 0.4ha plot in this small Premier Cru located just above Chevalier Montrachet. Very good fruit concentration and intensity. Ripe orchard fruit with mild buttery toast. Refined minerals on the finish. One of my favourite wines of Bruno Colin. (87/100)
Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru La Truffiere 2018
A fine-boned Puligny Montrachet with a bright array of crystalline tree fruits. Good fruit concentration with textbook Puligny Montrachet purity. White peach and apples. A classic Puligny Montrachet. (87/100)
Batard Montrachet Grand Cru 2018
Only 1 350l barrel made in 2018. Ripe and muscular orchard fruits, citrus peel and hint of butterscotch. Powerful yet open-knit with good acidity. (90/100)
60% of Domaine Bruno Colin wines are whites, the rest are juicy and fleshy reds. 100% destemmed with 1 week of cold maceration.
Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2018
100% destemmed, 10-15% new oak. A blend of own grapes from the Chassagne Montrachet commune as well as purchased grapes from Auxey Duresses. Delicate array of bright red cherry and zingy raspberries. Great balance between phenolic ripeness and acidity. (83/100)
Santanay Vieilles Vignes 2018
100% destemmed, 10-15% new oak. 30ha/hl. From Les Prarons-Dessus, a village plot located below the Premier Crus and near Chassagne side. Darker shade of fruits with much chewier tannins and firmer structure. Good richness, hints of tar but requires more cellaring. (82-83/100)
Chassagne Montrachet Rouge Vieilles Vignes 2018
100% destemmed, 40hl/ha. Bright red berries and strawberries. Juicy and ripe fruits with firm backbone. (83/100)
Santenay 1er Cru Les Gravieres 2018
Perfumed nose of blackberries, dark cherry, hints of soy sauce. Ripe tannins with crisp acidity. Gravel minerals and hints of balsamic. (83-84/100)
Chassagne Montrachet Rouge 1er Cru La Maltroie 2018
The 2018 Chassagne Montrachet Rouge 1er Cru La Maltroie is a step up from the Santenay Les Gravieres. Bright red cherry and raspberry with an earthy backbone. Refreshing acidity with forward fruits. Lifted. (85/100)
