Domaine Arlaud
Roncevie Bourgogne Pinot Noir
Burgundy, France
Roncevie is generally one of my favorite wines to look for in every new vintage because of its unique pedigree as a regional wine; declassified Gevrey village vineyard just a stones throw from some of the great 1er crus. I found the 2014 to be a bit of an enigma. Bright fruit and pretty, delicate aromatics at first. Leesy funk (and perhaps a touch of Brett) that needed some time to blow off. 2nd night found it to be a bit tired and aromatically shy. Mid palate was all tart cranberries and pomegranate and mineral texture without much supporting core of fruit. 12.5% ABV is never a negative for me, but perhaps the uneven 2014 vintage left this lieu dit a bit bereft in the ripeness department. Very little palate weight in contrast to the high acid and slightly green tannins. Arlaud’s penchant for whole cluster inclusion might be a detraction in this case. Certainly not a bad effort, but this wine is capable of achieving true village status in good years so this was a bit disappointing. I’m somewhat curious to see this vintage in a few years but feel more inclined to seek out a few more bottles of the 2015 which is a much more sure bet now and in the future.
Roncevie is generally one of my favorite wines to look for in every new vintage because of its unique pedigree as a regional wine; declassified Gevrey village vineyard just a stones throw from some of the great 1er crus. I found the 2014 to be a bit of an enigma. Bright fruit and pretty, delicate aromatics at first. Leesy funk (and perhaps a touch of Brett) that needed some time to blow off. 2nd night found it to be a bit tired and aromatically shy. Mid palate was all tart cranberries and pomegranate and mineral texture without much supporting core of fruit. 12.5% ABV is never a negative for me, but perhaps the uneven 2014 vintage left this lieu dit a bit bereft in the ripeness department. Very little palate weight in contrast to the high acid and slightly green tannins. Arlaud’s penchant for whole cluster inclusion might be a detraction in this case. Certainly not a bad effort, but this wine is capable of achieving true village status in good years so this was a bit disappointing. I’m somewhat curious to see this vintage in a few years but feel more inclined to seek out a few more bottles of the 2015 which is a much more sure bet now and in the future.
Mar 12th, 2018Looks: dark but translucent ruby red with thin and fine legs forming.
Smell: fresh raspberries, strawberries in a summer day. A lot of red and black fruits coming through. Slightly oaky and herby with some vanilla coming through in the end.
taste: quite tannic for a Pinot noir. Quite acidic with some fresh raspberries coming through on the palate. Pretty harsh tannins and maybe could do better after some decanting?
Looks: dark but translucent ruby red with thin and fine legs forming.
Smell: fresh raspberries, strawberries in a summer day. A lot of red and black fruits coming through. Slightly oaky and herby with some vanilla coming through in the end.
taste: quite tannic for a Pinot noir. Quite acidic with some fresh raspberries coming through on the palate. Pretty harsh tannins and maybe could do better after some decanting?
Paired very well with our duck. The company & service makes this wine a ten.
Paired very well with our duck. The company & service makes this wine a ten.
Feb 25th, 2017
Darker color, dark fruit and earth on the nose. Tart cherry and cranberry on the palate. Still had tannin for this medium bodied wine.
Darker color, dark fruit and earth on the nose. Tart cherry and cranberry on the palate. Still had tannin for this medium bodied wine.
Nov 24th, 2016
