Julia Harding
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Richard Hemming MW headshot
Julia Harding MW
Jancis Robinson
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Richard Hemming MW
4 Feb 2013
Tasting articles

Burgundy 2011 A-B

Tasting articles
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See Burgundy 2011 – a complete guide to our coverageCôte de Nuits and that of the Côte de Beaune.

The wines below are listed by producer in alphabetical order by (sur)name. Within each producer, wines are listed with whites preceding reds and then generally upwards by conventional status, or at least tasting order in the cellar.


DOMAINE STÉPHANE ALADAME


BERTRAND AMBROISE

Bertrand Ambroise, Grand Cru 2011 Corton-Charlemagne

Delicate fragrance, mostly lemon but also a touch floral and the merest hint of oak. Rather more oaky on the palate. Firm, dry, a baby but already revealing an underlying power and length. (JH)
Drink
2016
–
2025
£577 per case of 12 ib Montrachet
17

Bertrand Ambroise, Aux Damaudes 2011 Vosne-Romanée

Peppery and darker fruit. But there's also a touch of the 2004 pyrazine effect on the palate though the fruit swings back in on the finish. (JH)
Drink
2016
–
2021
£277 per case of 12 ib Montrachet
16

Bertrand Ambroise, Grand Cru 2011 Clos de Vougeot

A touch fresher than the Corton. Then pretty dry and firm on the palate, lacking the fruit to fill out the frame. May take on flesh but I wouldn't pay this for it. (JH)
Drink
2017
–
2027
£792 per case of 12 ib Montrachet
16.5

DOMAINE GUY AMIOT

Dom Guy Amiot, Les Macherelles Premier Cru 2011 Chassagne-Montrachet

Lime/lemon fruit and a touch of blossom with only a hint of oak, opening up to refined fragrance. Oak much more in evidence on the palate in a mealy creamy texture and some spice, less delicate and more intense than I expected from the aroma. (JH)
Drink
2014
–
2018
£27.08 per bottle ib Bancroft
16.5

Dom Guy Amiot, La Maltroie Premier Cru 2011 Chassagne-Montrachet

Much more toasty on the nose than the Macherelles, even a hint of smoky char. Full in the mouth though drops away a little at the end. Slight bitterness on the finish. The oak seems a little heavy handed but may well come into better balance. (JH)
Drink
2015
–
2019
£27.08 per bottle ib Bancroft
16 +

Dom Guy Amiot, Les Vergers Premier Cru 2011 Chassagne-Montrachet

Restrained first impression, giving almost nothing away. Refined and more mineral than fruit on the palate, though there's some citrus lapping at the edges. Tight and long and well defined with a minerally finish, the oak eaten up by the wine. (JH)
Drink
2014
–
2020
£29.58 per bottle ib Bancroft
16.5

Dom Guy Amiot, Clos St-Jean Premier Cru 2011 Chassagne-Montrachet

Oak a little more evident on the nose than on the Vergers but more in a creamy oatmeal aroma than toast or char. Delicate hint of orange flower water. Mouthwatering and zesty on the palate with a fine mineral backbone and creamy oak spice. Lovely fresh length. (JH)
Drink
2015
–
2021
£29.58 per bottle ib Bancroft
17

Dom Guy Amiot, Cailleret Premier Cru 2011 Chassagne-Montrachet

Fine citrus aroma and something very very lightly floral as well as creamy to add complexity. Softer on the palate than I expected, quite gentle in the mouth but persistent, if not especially powerful, with a mineral finish. (JH)
Drink
2015
–
2021
£29.58 per bottle ib Bancroft
17

DOMAINE AMIOT-SERVELLE

Dom Amiot-Servelle Pinot Noir 2011 Bourgogne

Mid cherry. Bright peppery red-fruit aroma. A touch green on the palate and not particularly generous in fruit. (JH)
Drink
2014
–
2016
£132 per case of 12 ib Montrachet
15

Dom Amiot-Servelle 2011 Morey-St-Denis

Ripe and fresh red fruit. Just a hint of exotic spice. Then a bit slight and dry on the palate with a bit of a hollow in the middle. (JH)
Drink
2015
–
2018
£277 per case of 12 ib Montrachet
15.5

Dom Amiot-Servelle 2011 Chambolle-Musigny

Mid cherry red. Red fruit, light pepper. Tight and refined and on the slim side but just in balance to give an elegant whole. (JH)
Drink
2016
–
2024
£327 per case of 12 ib Montrachet
16.5

DOMAINE ARLAUD

Dom Arlaud, Roncevie 2011 Bourgogne

Light cherry red. Rich and sweet and flattering at first and then pretty dry finish. Bumptious and easy.
Drink
2015
–
2018
£118 per case of 12 ib OW Loeb
15.5

Dom Arlaud 2011 Morey-St-Denis

Smells like damp webbing – a not unfamiliar phenomenon. Lots of jewelly fruit but overall a bit sharp.
Drink
2016
–
2022
£270 per case of 12 ib OW Loeb
15.5

Dom Arlaud 2011 Chambolle-Musigny

Lightly gamey and a hint of liquorice. Chewy finish. A bit angular for a Chambolle.
Drink
2016
–
2023
£270 per case of 12 ib OW Loeb
16

Dom Arlaud, Les Ruchots Premier Cru 2011 Morey-St-Denis

Dark crimson. Rich and ripe on the nose. A slightly mousy note overlays it, oddly. But there is no shortage of flavour! Very sweet and almost soft. Clean finish.
Drink
2016
–
2024
£425 per case of 12 ib OW Loeb
16.5

Dom Arlaud, Grand Cru 2011 Charmes-Chambertin

Bright ruby. Very intense nose. Sweet and winning. Very cuddly wine that may be a bit too sweet for purists but should seduce neophytes.
Drink
2017
–
2027
£355 per case of 6 ib OW Loeb
16.5

DOMAINE DE L'ARLOT

Dom de l'Arlot, La Gerbotte 2011 Nuits-St-Georges

Polished with a certain sweet sleekness. Very solid wine that should be rewarding. Substantial beginning, middle and end to this wine. Violet cachous on the finish already. But I can't see much point in extended ageing.
Drink
2013
–
2016
£240 per case of 12 ib Goedhuis
16

Dom de l'Arlot 2011 Vosne-Romanée

Lively cherry fruit on the nose. Dry and a bit skimpy in the fruit department. (JH)
Drink
2014
–
2018
£135 per case of 6 ib Howard Ripley
15.5

DOMAINE ARNOUX-LACHAUX

Dom Arnoux-Lachaux Pinot Fin 2011 Bourgogne

Bright crimson. Quite brutal and chestnut skin-like. Is this one of those Bourgogne vinified as though it were a grand cru...? Concentrated.
Drink
2015
–
2018
£165 per case of 12 ib Armit, £165 per case of 12 ib Jeroboams
15.5

Dom Arnoux-Lachaux 2011 Chambolle-Musigny

A bit light and unassuming, especially after the liveliness of the Hudelot Noëllat Chambolle-Musigny. Good, though rudimentary. (RH)
Drink
2014
–
2020
£420 per case of 12 ib Jeroboams
16

Dom Arnoux-Lachaux 2011 Chambolle-Musigny

Rich and sumptuous. Lots of pleasure. Round (compared with the Méo-Camuzet wines I have just been tasting). Very flattering and chock full of rather sweet fruit. Great for hedonists.
Drink
2015
–
2024
£420 per case of 12 ib Lay & Wheeler, £420 per case of 12 ib Jeroboams
16.5

Dom Arnoux-Lachaux 2011 Chambolle-Musigny

Lots of fruit at the beginning. Then pretty tough. A sort of braggadocio wine. Lots going on there but it's all a tad brash. Tough finish.
Drink
2017
–
2023
£420 per case of 12 ib Armit
15.5

Dom Arnoux-Lachaux 2011 Vosne-Romanée

Fragrant, but slightly withheld fruit. Light body. Tight structure. Not mean, but not generous. (RH)
Drink
2015
–
2025
£395 per case of 12 ib Jeroboams
16

Dom Arnoux-Lachaux, Les Chaumes Premier Cru 2011 Vosne-Romanée

A little subdued after the Nuits Procès. All tucked in for the future but a bit demanding for the moment. Lots of sleek succulent fruit on the finish.
Drink
2018
–
2030
£350 per case of 6 ib Lay & Wheeler, £350 per case of 6 ib Jeroboams
16.5 +

Dom Arnoux-Lachaux, Grand Cru 2011 Échezeaux

Big, bold and a little cheesy on the nose. There is some transparency here and this wine is clearly superior to the rest of the range. Dry finish but lots of rich, reverberant fruit on the way there.
Drink
2015
–
2025
£695 per case of 6 ib Armit, £695 per case of 6 ib Jeroboams
16.5

DOMAINE CHARLES AUDOIN

Dom Charles Audoin 2011 Marsannay

Lightly smokily reductive aroma pierced by clean-cut stony citrus. Good intensity and a light grip to the texture. Refined, subtle but still has a definite personality. (JH)
Drink
2013
–
2015
£156 per case of 12 ib Clark Foyster
16

Dom Charles Audoin, Aux Champs Salomon 2011 Marsannay

Deepish cherry. Again, lovely fruit with a slightly more savoury aspect than the Marie Ragonneau and slightly more structured by the tannins. Very very slight leafy taste adds freshness. Both fruity and refined. GV (JH)
Drink
2016
–
2021
£204 per case of 12 ib Clark Foyster
16.5

Dom Charles Audoin, Les Longeroies 2011 Marsannay

Mid to deep cherry. Fragrant and red fruited, closer to the Marie Ragonneau on the nose. Rich, juicy and still refined. Fine, firm but velvety feel to the tannins. GV (JH)

Drink
2016
–
2021
£192 per case of 12 ib Clark Foyster
16.5

Dom Charles Audoin, Le Rozier 2011 Fixin

A little lighter than the Marsannays, in colour and fruit weight. A little more leafy/stemmy but not overly so and full of energy and freshness. Fruit lingers on the finish. Good length. (JH)
Drink
2015
–
2019
£216 per case of 12 ib Clark Foyster
16

Dom Charles Audoin 2011 Gevrey-Chambertin

Very bright ruby. Juicy fruits at first in a sheath of tannins and some oak. Not very sophisticated but well meant.
Drink
2015
–
2020
£275 per case of 12 ib Goedhuis
16

DOMAINE DENIS BACHELET

Dom Denis Bachelet 2011 Bourgogne

Blend of casks from Gevrey. Pure fruit, almost cassis in expression. Fresh and harmonious. Lots of fruit!
Drink
2014
–
2018
16.5

Dom Denis Bachelet 2011 Côte de Nuits-Villages

Quite high up the slope above Brochon. 30% new oak; I’m tasting half and half.
Very easy, round, fresh fruit with direct appeal. Not very intense nor persistent but lots of charm.
Drink
2015
–
2020
16.5

Dom Denis Bachelet, Vieilles Vignes 2011 Gevrey-Chambertin

75-year-old vines. 1.5 ha in total.
Real complexity on the nose. Mossy and autumnal. But relatively light and fresh and fruity on the palate. Because the wine is quite light, the acidity seems quite marked. Racy and easy on the palate, although I expect it will take on weight.
Drink
2016
–
2024
£215 per case of 6 ib A&B Vintners
16.5 +

Dom Denis Bachelet, Les Corbeaux Premier Cru 2011 Gevrey-Chambertin

Vines mainly planted in the 1920s. Cold spot next to Mazis and Chambertin so usually a bit closed.
Scented and intriguing. Definitely more substance than the village wine with a bit of tannin noticeable for the first time. Very fresh and damson-like fruit.
Drink
2017
–
2027
£295 per case of 6 ib A&B Vintners
17

Dom Denis Bachelet, Grand Cru 2011 Charmes-Chambertin

Normally eight barrels produced; in 2012 they made three and a half. Coopers must have sold many feuillettes in 2012.
Muscular chestnut nose. Really quite rich for a 2011 and yet supple. Approaching richness, anyway, though low key. Very good for a 2011; a little muted overall. Trademark richness. Very clean and pure. He wanted to make wines for gourmandise and regrets that no English word exists.
Drink
2015
–
2027
£poa per case of 3 ib A&B Vintners
17.5

DOMAINE JEAN-CLAUDE BACHELET


DOMAINE BACHELET-MONNOT

Dom Bachelet-Monnot 2011 Bourgogne

Pure, zingy nose with a hint of honey. Very firm structure. Almost austere! But excellent for purists.
Drink
2014
–
2016
£115 per case of 12 ib Justerini & Brooks
16

Dom Bachelet-Monnot 2011 Puligny-Montrachet

Clean and firm with good substance on the palate and lots of citrus – plus a hint of citrus peel. Just a tad stolid.
Drink
2014
–
2019
£275 per case of 12 ib Justerini & Brooks
16

Dom Bachelet-Monnot 2011 Bourgogne

Quite finely chiselled but with fresh fruit. A pretty wine without quite as much flesh as the Bourgogne Blanc but refreshing.
Drink
2014
–
2017
£115 per case of 12 ib Justerini & Brooks
15.5

DOMAINE BALLOT-MILLOT

Dom Ballot-Millot 2011 Bourgogne

Some Puligny vines but mainly from Les Grandes Coutures, below Meursault village.
Very tight and ambitious. Tightly wound, great stuff! Quite long. VGV
Drink
2013
–
2016
£132 per case of 12 ib Flint
16

DOMAINE DANIEL ET JULIEN BARRAUD

Dom Daniel et Martine Barraud, La Roche 2011 Mâcon-Vergisson

Rich and also smoky. Lots of energy here. Doesn't really taste like Mâcon (much more concentrated) though it has a honey character. Chewy mineral finish suggests a relatively long life.

Drink
2015
–
2020
£96 per case of 12 ib Lea & Sandeman
16.5

DOMAINE GHISLAINE BARTHOD

Dom Ghislaine Barthod 2011 Bourgogne

Mid crimson. Lots there. You really wouldn't be surprised to learn that this was a Chambolle. As usual this is a banker of the vintage – if the term banker has not become too demonised. Well done – great structure.
Drink
2015
–
2019
£165 per case of 12 ib Justerini & Brooks, £155 per case of 12 ib A&B Vintners
16 +

Dom Ghislaine Barthod 2011 Chambolle-Musigny

Lively – good energy. Dry finish but very solid and correct. Feet on the ground though. Bit dry on the end.
Drink
2016
–
2024
£tbc per case of 6 ib Berry Bros & Rudd, £170 per case of 6 ib A&B Vintners
16

DOMAINE ROGER BELLAND


DOM...