Domaine Robert Arnoux - Burgundy 2006 En Primeur

You could hardly accuse Pascal Lachaux of lacking confidence but after tasting his 2006s with him, he undeniably has every good reason to be bullish. Despite confessing to being almost surprised at how good the wines have turned out to be, he considers the vintage above 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004 and for him perhaps a synthesis of 2000 and 2002. Pascal also noted that in his estimation, the Arnoux wines have leapt up a level since the 2000 vintage and certainly tasting a 2000 Suchots against a 1997 Romanée St Vivant with him later in the week, it was the younger premier cru that impressed the most – anyone with bottles of that in the cellar, you have a treat in store! Arnoux is now right up there amongst the greatest names of Vosne-Romanée and for that, Pascal and Florence can feel very proud.

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Pascal bottled the Bourgogne in July, feeling that the wine was so fresh and brimming with fruit that it would be foolish not to lock that in there and then. It is immediately bright and attractive with pretty red fruits, a lovely mid-weight and a minty, direct approach. Sourced from parcels on the village boundaries of Chambolle, Vosne and Nuits. Drink from release. - armit

(from 60 year old vines based on the original pinot fin strain that is so highly regarded today; bottled in September). An overtly and frankly fruity nose features ripe red berry aromas and delicious, earthy and moderately rustic flavors that offer good intensity and while this is sufficiently forward to enjoy now, it should also reward 2 to 3 years of cellar time. 2008+ - 85 points, Allen Meadow's Burghound # 29, Jan. 2008

More meaty/savoury than above. Firmish tannins but rouned and well integrated. Attractive and quite serious for the appellation. Drink 2008-12 - 16.5 points, Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com, Jan. 2008

Lively, young and precocious, this has pure raspberry fruit, lovely light tannins and an attractive, rounding richness. Drink from 2009. - armit

Mild reduction knocks down the fruit but it’s clear that the earthy aromas are ripe as they complement the relatively suave yet nicely detailed medium-bodied flavors that coat the mouth with dusty tannins on the moderately rustic finish. 2011+ - 85-88 points, Allen Meadow's Burghound # 29, Jan. 2008

A more serious cuvée than the Nuits, this is darker and more brooding but with suppleness and the velvety textures that are the hallmarks of the village. A touch of spice on the finish adds further intrigue. Drink from 2010. - armit

This too evidences mild reduction though not enough to block the ripe dark berry fruit aromas from emerging after vigorous swirling. The medium weight plus flavors are round, rich and suave with a velvety mouth feel, all wrapped in a firm and delicious finish supported by ripe structural elements. Good if not truly distinguished. 2011+ - 86-89 points, Allen Meadow's Burghound # 29, Jan. 2008

50% of this parcel was lost through hail and Pascal has had to work particularly hard to eliminate the damaged fruit. On tasting, the achievement is quite remarkable and to have this quality at village level is outstanding. The hail has, if anything, allowed for further intensity and concentration of flavours. Fresh and lithe but with a wonderful berry fruit on an expansive scale. Drink from 2011. - armit

A somber and reserved though reasonably ripe red and dark pinot fruit nose leads to a supple and nicely fresh flavor profile that culminates in a slightly dry finish that displays a touch of astringency, undoubtedly from retardation of the maturity caused by the significant hail damage in late July. 2010+ - 86-88 points, Allen Meadow's Burghound # 29, Jan. 2008

From a small 0.5ha holding comes a refreshing wine, packed with summer fruits and a spicy edge. Terrific length at this level, showing a wine of many talents. Drink from 2011. - armit

A pretty mix of upper and lower register dark pinot fruit aromas evidence subtle touches of spice and earth that continue onto the supple, round and vibrant flavors that display a touch of backend rusticity yet I like the precision here on the moderately firm finish. 2012+ - 86-89 points, Allen Meadow's Burghound # 29, Jan. 2008

A bright, glossy appearance on this lively Nuits which is very black fruit in character but with a darker, more serious side. Another success and a wine that will clearly give enormous pleasure. Drink from 2011. - armit

(from 50 year old vines). A deft touch of wood spice frames fresh and bright blue fruit, plum and violet-infused floral aromas coupled with ample earth and underbrush notes that can also be found on the more finely detailed flavors that possess a subtle finishing minerality as well as somewhat more sophisticated tannins. This is sufficiently round and civilized already that it should be ready relatively early. 2012+ - 88-90 points, Allen Meadow's Burghound # 29, Jan. 2008

Another pretty Nuits but a little better toned. The charm of the fruit compliments the mineral core very well but this is unusually sensual for the appellation. Drink from 2012. - armit

(for inveterate map readers, Clos des Corvées Pagets is situated within Clos des Corvées). This too evidences subtle wood that frames the notably ripe and distinctly earthy aromas that are rich, full and voluminous with a real dense of concentration and intensity to the black fruit-infused finish that delivers excellent length if not great elegance. Lovely. 2012+ - 89-92 points, Allen Meadow's Burghound # 29, Jan. 2008

A deep purple robe and the scent of violets introduce a wine of charm and a rounded, supple style. The tannins are beautifully ripe. Drink from 2012. - armit

Here the wood influence is almost invisible, setting off spicy black and blue fruit aromas that complement perfectly the rich, seductive and velvety medium full flavors that are generous and sweet on the mouth coating finish that possesses lovely balance and length. A classic Vosne in every respect and if this can add depth in bottle, it should merit the top of the range. 2013+ - 88-91 points, Allen Meadow's Burghound # 29, Jan. 2008

A wonderful vineyard on the slopes, adjacent to Petits Monts, in Pascal’s careful hands this is brimming full of forest fruits and dissolved minerality. The tannins are full but ripe and with silky textures. Drink from 2012. - armit

(from a .29 ha parcel). This is both cooler and finer with airy and stony black fruit aromas that display first class detail and nuance that continues onto the equally minerally and beautifully precise middle weight flavors that are rich and quite pure, all wrapped in gorgeously long finish. This is impressive. 2013+ - 90-92 points, Allen Meadow's Burghound # 29, Jan. 2008

This Clos Vougeot shows its muscles but also seems to have rediscovered its softer side this year. Broad yet pretty, this is a real surprise and the finish is long and resonating. Drink from 2014. - armit

(from vines next to the wall by Grands Echézeaux). The nose of this elegant Clos de Vougeot runs to the red and red-blue side of the fruit spectrum and is nuanced with hints of spice, underbrush and warm earth where the latter two elements can also be found on the detailed and relatively fine medium plus weight flavors, all wrapped in the classically austere finish found in young Clos de Vougeot. Lovely potential here. 2013+ - 90-93 points, Allen Meadow's Burghound # 29, Jan. 2008

Pascal treats his Suchots as a Grand Cru and with its intensity and precision, it is easy to see why. This has an intriguing mix of wild fruits and a little cocoa. Mouth-filling and with terrific presence, this is once again one of the clear standouts in the cellar. Drink from 2013. - armit

(from a .45 ha parcel situated at the very top of the vineyard). A more complex and beautifully layered nose features aromas of ripe cassis, blueberry and bitter chocolate with a trace of roasted coffee that introduce stylish, pure and detailed flavors underpinned by obvious minerality and refined tannins that confer a silky texture onto the explosively long finish. I quite like this and while it’s not as powerful as either the Ech or the Clos de Vougeot, it’s more refined. Lachaux proves yet once again that this is the reference standard for the vineyard. 2014+ - 91-94 points, Allen Meadow's Burghound # 29, Jan. 2008

Scents of lavender and violets on the nose and a dancing style on the palate. This is really impressive and certainly up a gear again. A great wine. Drink from 2013. - armit

(from Les Rouges du Bas). This is the first wine to display more than discreet wood toast but here it’s more than just noticeable if not enough to drown out the naturally spicy black fruit aromas and rich, full and sweet flavors that possess a mouth coating and velvety finish. There is good concentration and mid-palate sap that wraps the tannins and makes this seem more forward then it really is. This should eat its oak and provide for fine aging potential. 2014+ - 91-93 points, Allen Meadow's Burghound # 29, Jan. 2008

Price per case in bond £425 per 6 (by allocation only) - SOLD OUT

Another very great wine from this wonderful vineyard, this is full, rich and really inviting. Black fruits and floral perfumes combine in the sort of hedonistic mix that only great Pinot Noir can provide. Profound. Drink from 2014. - armit

(from a .375 ha parcel situated by La Grande Rue). A relatively high-toned spicy red and black fruit nose of real class and elegance merges seamlessly into fresh, vibrant and detailed flavors brimming with both minerality and an underlying sense of tension that adds real energy to the perfectly balanced and gorgeously long finish. This should age well for up to a decade, perhaps a bit longer and should be worth the wait. 2014+ - 92-94 points, Allen Meadow's Burghound # 29, Jan. 2008

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