Pierre Damoy targets deep maturity in his wines, and he made some rich and heavy reds in 2018. Pierre started harvesting on the 11th of September and took 11 days for the harvest. 70% destemmed. Overall yield: 30-40hl/ha. Unusually this year I find most of his village and Premier Cru wines overripe and too alcoholic, fortunately some of his Grand Crus were rich but not too overripe. Buyers will need to be careful on picking his wines in 2018 to avoid overripe wines.
Tasting Notes
Bourgogne Blanc 2018
Grapes purchased from Fixin. Rich and expressive array of ripe tree fruits and pears. Sweet fruits with upfront oak spices. Big-boned Bourgogne Blanc that punches above its weight. 33% new oak (550L barrels), 15% alcohol. Warm finish. (81/100)
Bourgogne Rouge 2018
Pierre harvested theBourgogne rouge the last, and unfortunately the fruits are overripe, plums and cooked cherry with low acidity and c. 15% alcohol. Full bodied, Bourgogne Rouge on steroid. The alcohol is so high malolactic is still ongoing. One to avoid. (73/100)
Fixin Les Mogottes 2018
This 2018 Fixin Les Mogottes is fragrant and powerful, showing richness of Gevrey Chambertin. 50% new oak. Rich but much more balanced than their Bourgogne Rouge. (82/100)
Gevrey Chambertin 2018
An impressive Gevrey Chambertin village from 4 small plots around Gevrey Chambertin. 50% new oak with deep earthy spices and dark berries. Ripe and juicy with ample wood spices, some similarities to the 2016. Powerful with balanced acidity. (84/100)
Chambolle Musigny Les Maladieres 2018
From purchased grapes, 56 cases produced. In 2018, overall Chambolle Musigny achieved high natural sugar level and phenolic ripeness, growers who didn’t manage to pick early enough had 14-15%+ alcohol. This Chambolle Musigny felt very alcoholic, even more than their Bourgogne Rouge. Juicy dark berries, plums and hints of dates. Full bodied with low acidity. Not sure what the alcohol level was but I feel it is beyond 15%. Frightening. (74/100)
Gevrey Chambertin Clos Tamisot 2018
This is a 1.5ha monopole, even though it is not stated on the label, youngest vines planted in 1945, oldest planted in 1922. A lifted bouquet of rose petal, rich and concentrated dark berries and intense oak spices. 70-80% new oak. Powerful and alluring. This village can easily challenge many Premier Cru Gevrey Chambertin. (86/100)
Chapelle Chambertin Grand Cru 2018
Pierre Damoy is the largest owner of Chappelle Chambertin, vines mostly planted in 1947, and a small proportion planted in the 90s. Flashy red cherry, dark berries, rich oak spices and hints of chalk. Like most Chappelle Chambertin, this feels more Premier Cru weight than Grand Cru. (86/100)
Chambertin Grand Cru 2018
Dark and brooding Chambertin with complex nose of powerful dark fruits and gentle rose petals. Great concentration with hints of stems. Malolactic fermentation is still ongoing. 70-80% new oak. Promising Chambertin. (91/100)
Chambertin Clos de Beze Grand Cru 2018
Pierre Damy is the largest owner of Clos de Beze, 5.36ha. The Chambertin Clos de Beze is significantly bigger and riper than the Chambertin. Ultra-ripe blackberries, smoked herbs and earthy forest floor. Powerful and big-boned with tannic backbone. 14.5% alcohol? A monumental Chambertin Clos de Beze. (89-90/100)
Chambertin Clos de Beze Reserve Grand Cru 2018
Only three barrels produced. From vines planted in 1920 next to Chambertin, aged in special barrels that are very limited and can only be bought through allocation. Uplifting fresh spices and exotic note. Ultra ripe with in-depth fruits and earthy minerals. Great length. Clos de Beze on steroids. This needs 15 years. (92-93/100)
Bonus 2017 bottles
Gevrey Chambertin Clos Tamisot 2017
Fragrant sweet stems with juicy red berries, charming and approachable. Gentle rose petals. (86/100)
Chappelle Chambertin Grand Cru 2017
An attractive array of sweet smokey red berries and cherries. Lovely Premier Cru depth with delicate minerals. (90/100)
Chambertin Grand Cru 2017
Sweet rose petal, sexy red berries with in-depth earthy fruits and gravel. Proper Grand Cru weight with lovely complexity. Attractive Chambertin. (92/100)
Chambertin Clos de Beze Grand Cru 2017
The 2017 Chambertin Clos de Beze is richer and more nuanced than the 2017 Chambertin. Great concentration of dark fruits and herbal note. Deep and complex. Impressive wine. (91-92/100)