Domaine Duroche is one of the best producers in 2018 I have tasted. Pierre’s winemaking skills has reached to a new height and 2018 seem to have favoured Gevrey Chambertin as an appellation (more water). Most of his cuvees were at 12.5% alcohol with a few 13.5%. The style reminded me of Domaine Armand Rousseau, perhaps with slightly more concentration. Minimal new oak and a small percentage of whole cluster in some cuvees. A producer to look out for in 2018
Duroche started harvest on the 3rd of September, and I feel their wines have excelled in the balance between ripeness, richness and acidity. Alcohol level was at a modest level of 12.5% – 13.5%. pH: 3.5-3.6.
Winemaking Style
Most wines are 100% destemmed except a few cuvees. Aged in oak for 12 months with no racking. Very minimal new oak used.
Tasting Notes
Bourgogne 2018
A seriously rich and powerful Bourgogne rouge from Gevrey Chambertin. No new oak in the Bourgogne. Dark berries with polished earthy minerals. Quite in-depth for a Bourgogne Rouge, like many Bourgogne Rouge in 2018, punching above its appellations. (83/100)
Gevrey Chambertin 2018
A ripe and powerful array of dark cherry, succulent fruits and smoked earthy note. Concentrated with good acidity and phenolic ripeness. Well-balanced and should be approachable young. (84-85/100)
Gevrey Chambertin ‘Champ’ 2018
Located in the north of Gevrey Chambertin below Champeaux, this village lieu dits offers a fragrant nose of cranberry, gentle note of red cherries and cool climate minerals. Good concentration and acidity balance with soft dark currant and earth on the palate. (85/100)
Gevrey Chambertin ‘Le Clos’ 2018
Located behind the church in Gevrey Chambertin village. A slight step up from the ‘Champ’ on the nose. Attractive blueberry fruits with fragrant rose petals. Refreshing with good ripeness. ‘Le Clos’ is not far from Premier Cru weight in this vintage. Attractive. (85-86/100)
Gevrey Chambertin ‘Les Jeunes Rois’ 2018
Les Jeunes Rois is located in Brouchon. Planted in 1952. They recently increased their plot size from 0.2ha to 0.6ha. Les Jeunes Rois offers slightly more concentration and darker fruits than Le Clos. A rich and generous fragrant of ripe dark cherry and earthy minerals. Good structure and subtly on the finish. A village outperformance. (86/100)
Gevrey Chambertin ‘Aux Etelois’ 2018
Duroche owns a parcel near his Griotte Chambertin. 20% whole cluster. Less than 20hl/ha in 2018. Fragrant nose of juicy cranberries, blueberries, mild sweet stems and rose petals. Good amount of fruits with good phenolic ripeness and acidity balance. (87/100)
Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Les Champeaux 2018
The Champeaux is a step up in quality from Aux Etelois. A beautiful array of fresh red berries, tightly knitted rose petals and cool climate earthy minerals. Medium bodied with ripe tannins and dense fruits. Good intensity and complexity. Should be approachable in 5 years time. (89/100)
Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaux Saint Jacques 2018
The Lavaux Saint Jacques is one of Duroche’s regarded wines. 30hl/ha in 2018. More sweet stemmy fragrant than Les Champeaux. Beautiful bouquet of refreshing raspberries and bright cherry. Flamboyant with a sweet inner core. Mild ethereal note with good concentration. A beautifully crafted Lavaux Saint Jacques. (90/100)
Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Estournelles Saint Jacques 2018
Only 1.5 barrels produced in 2018. The Estournelles Saint Jacques carries a similar structure to the Lavaux Saint Jacques, but with more blueberry fruit and hints of cassis. Great energy and richness with a charming bouquet. Similar quality to the Lavaux Saint Jacques. (90/100)
Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru 2018
In 2018, all the Charmes Chambertin I have tasted from various estates outperformed and showed great concentration and oomph. Duroche Charmes Chambertin has a superb intensity and depth in 2018. First to harvest due to ripeness and sugar level. Powerful dark berries and cassis with smooth tannins and sweet & delicate fruits. Proper Grand Cru weight. (91-92/100)
Latricieres Chambertin Grand Cru 2018
Pierre owns a 0.27ha in Latricieres Chambertin. In 2018 Pierre Duroche made a superb Latricieres Chambertin with lots of depth. Ripe red berries and dark fruits with smoked herbs and gravel. Lovely inner core of rose petals and ripe berries. Excellent. (92/100)
Chambertin Clos de Beze Grand Cru 2018
Only 4.5 barrels produced in 2018. Pierre Duroche owns 0.25ha, planted in 1920. The 2018 Clos de Beze has reached to another level, no new oak used, only 2 and 3 year old barrels used. 20% whole cluster. Gorgeous array of rich dark berries and black cherry. Broad-shouldered with complex nose of sleek minerals and sweet soil. A velvet textured Clos de Beze with refined nuances. A wine to look out for. (93-95/100)
Griottes Chambertin Grand Cru 2018
Duroche owns a tiny parcel, 0.01ha in Griottes Chambertin. 1 tiny barrel produced every year. 100% stems. Gorgeous bouquet of sweet stems and spices from whole cluster. Fragrant rose petal with bubbly red berries. Not as rich and as in-depth as the Chambertin Clos de Beze but flirtatious. An impressive showcase of 100% whole cluster with Duroche winemaking. (93-94/100)
Bonus Bottles
Gevrey Chambertin ‘En Vosne’ 2017
Young and fragrant with sexy red fruited nose and blueberry fruits. My very quick guess was Gevrey Chambertin village Aux Etelois 2016 before Pierre Duroche revealed what it was. Great concentration for a village wine from 2017. (85-86/100)
Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru 2013
Sexy spices and juicy cranberries. Soft and gentle red fruits with gentle minerals (sign of Charmes Chambertin). Premier Cru weight with good ripeness. Forward and softened much with some bottle age. If tasted blind I would have called this a 2010, only a hint of austereness from 2013 but no greenness. (88/100)
Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Estournelles Saint Jacques 2013
Lifted nose with a darker fruits compared to the 2013 Charmes Chambertin. Lifted with slight sweet stems. Flirtatious nose with fairly good concentration, arguably more aromatic than the Charmes Chambertin. Young but drinking well already. (89/100)
