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My first visit to Domaine Heitz Lochardet and Armand Heitz welcomed us warmly. Most of the 2018 were not ready for tasting so we went through most of the 2017 whites and reds as well as the entry level 2018.

In 2017, Armand Heitz made a superb portfolio of 2017 whites and surprisingly delicious 2017 reds, the 100% whole cluster style in their Pinot Noir matched the vintage characteristics really well – elegant and flamboyant, offering plenty of pleasure to drink young. A producer to keep an eye out for both their whites and reds!


Winemaking

100% wholecluster in all their reds in 2017 since they didn’t have a destemmer that year. On average around 45hl/ha in 2017. A little bit of battonage in their whites.

Domaine Heitz Lochardet converted to DIAM corks for all their white wines since 2015 and reduced SO2 from 35mg/L to 25mg/L.


Tasting Notes

Folie Sauvage 2018

A new venture of Armand Heitz. Blend of 50% Gamay from Domaine de la Combe Vineuse in Beaujolais Julienas and 50% Pinot Noir from Armand’s own vineyards in the Meursault and Volnay commune. A bright array of blueberries, purple fruits (plums?) with a whiff of spice rack. Juicy with good acidity and ripeness. (81/100)

Julienas 2018

2018 is the first vintage of Armand Heitz Julienas, a Beaujolais made in traditional Burgundian method. 100% whole cluster with no new oak and very little pumping over. Old school Burgundian mixed cherries with old barrel smell. A nice ‘hybrid’ between flashy Beaujolais and old school Burgundy. (82/100)

Chassagne Montrachet Rouge 1er Cru Morgeot 2017

Armand Heitz’s parcel is located in Francemont. 100% whole cluster with less than 25% new oak. Slightly volatile with charming strawberries and crunchy red berries. Lovely floral core with some stemmy note, attractive and lovely to drink young. (85-86/100)

Pommard 1er Cru Les Pezerolles 2017

Slightly reductive. Reserved and meaty with concentrated red berries and lifted rose petals. 1er Cru weight with fine grained tannins and adequate acidity. Elegant expression of Pommard. (86+/100)

Volnay 1er Cru Taillepieds 2017

100% whole cluster. Volnay Taillepieds was the first to harvest. The most ethereal nose of Armand’s reds. Attractive bouquet of fresh red berries, stemmy spices and mild rose petals. Great concentration and more energy than the 2016. Very good. (87/100)

Bourgogne Blanc 2018

2/3 of the grapes come from Pommard and 1/3 from Meursault. 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Blanc. Ripe and juicy lemons and bubbly (charming) white pear fruits. (82/100)

Connivence 2018

A new venture of Armand Heitz, Vin de France – 50% of the wine comes from Armand’s friend Aurelien Febvre Coteaux de l’Auxois, west of Burgundy, and 50% from Armand’s Bourgogne Blanc. Very low sulphur added. Zingy and waxy with touch of oxidative characteristies (some resemblance to Jacques Selosse). Ripe apples and hints of almonds. Textured. (82/100)

Saint Aubin Travers de Chez Edouard 2018

Located behind the 1er Cru Derriere chez Edouard. Aged in barrel for 10 months, 25% new oak with slight battonage. Bright array of cool climate fruits: green apples, racy lime and smokey minerals. Elegant with good phenolic ripeness and stoney minerals. Nervy village. (84/100)

Meursault Gruyaches 2017

A generous yield in 2017 of around 45-50hl/ha. Gruyaches is a small lieu dit surrounded by Premier Cru Les Charmes. 30-32 year old vines. Slightly green and racy with bright tree fruits and creamy backbone. Lovely lactic acid and freshness. (86/100)

Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot 2017

A fine nose of sun-kissed citrus fruits, white orchard fruit and modern texture with mild reduction. Juicy fruits with inner floral core. Apparently this is a special clone of Chardonnay that gives a more floral scent, Le petit clos? (89/100)

Meursault 1er Cru Les Perrieres 2017

An intense Meursault Perrieres with great tension and opulence. Mineral expressive bouquet of ripe orchard fruits, refreshing lemons and smoked gravel. Powerful with good tension. Modern in style with substantial weight. Beautiful! (91-92/100)

Cremant de Bourgogne Marcelle Lochardet Blanc de Blancs 2017

Purchased grapes from Rully. Smart new oak spices with fresh apples, peach and creamy toast. 5g/L. Young and bright with good sweetness made for easy drinking. Pretty good. (83/100)

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