Domaine J-J Confuron — Premeaux

From a parcel behind the winery just south of Nuits-St. Georges, called “Jeunesse” or “The Youth” as it has been tended by Alain Meunier’s young son Louis since the age of 16. Another excellent example of the beauty of “Bourgogne” in 2009, beautiful ripe dark fruit and the trademark Confuron silky texture. SPW

(35% new wood and the rest in one-year old wood).  A very rich, seductive and velvety mouth feel characterizes the middle weight flavors that possess ample amounts of extract as well as fine length if, at this early stage, limited overall depth. (87-89)/2014+

A mildly somber nose of lower register and distinctly earthy wild red and blue berry and violet aromas that also evidence a hint of wood spice slide gracefully into velvety and relatively fine middle weight flavors that culminate in a velvety if ever-so-slightly woody finish. There is however so much sap that I suspect the wine will have no trouble successfully integrating the oak treatment. (87-90)/2015+

(a blend of Les Feusselottes and Les Chatelots). Discreet wood frames brooding and ripe earthy dark berry fruit aromas that complement the pure, supple and round medium-bodied flavors that possess a subtle mineral-streak on the delicious, balanced and lingering finish where the wood resurfaces. This is really quite delicate and very Chambolle in basic character. (89-91)/2016+

(most of Confuron’s holdings are on the Vosne side). As is often the case with this wine in barrel, it’s quite reduced. There is however good energy and freshness to the floral and lacy middle weight flavors brimming with minerality and dry extract that confers both lift and a seductive texture to the balanced, pure and velvety finish. This has the potential to be a really lovely effort. (90-93)/2016+

(from 40+ year old vines situated at the very top of the hill hard by the Château). A deft application of wood allows the pure and densely fruited nose of red pinot and violet aromas to shine through. The big-bodied and admirably concentrated flavors are underpinned by relatively fine tannins and notably less austerity than usual on the strikingly long finish. This is very solid though perhaps a bit more forward than is typical for this wine. (91-94)/2017+

(from vines planted in 1922). As it always is, this is much more elegant and ethereal as the floral, red berry and spice suffused nose merges seamlessly into lacy, delicate and quite supple middle weight flavors that possess just a hint of minerality on the hugely long and palate staining finish. This is beautifully well-balanced and an obvious wine of class and grace. (93-95)/2019+

2008 Chambolle-Musigny:  A discreet touch of wood frames the elegant and ripe aromas of black cherry and spiced plum that complement the equally ripe and relatively full-bodied flavors that are at once refined yet quite serious on the mouth coating and sappy finish.  A solid villages.  (87-89)/2014+

2008 Clos de Vougeot:  (from 40+ year old vines situated at the very top of the hill hard by the Château). Rich, serious, earth-infused and ever-so- slightly rustic full-bodied flavors that are powerful, muscular and culminate in an austere, focused and strikingly long finish.  A classic Clos de Vougeot that should age extremely well.  (91-93)/2018+

2008 Romanée St.-Vivant:  (from vines planted in 1922).  A gorgeously elegant, pure and airy nose of spicy and earthy red and black pinot fruit are nuanced by subtle traces of soy and anise that are picked up on the rich, deep, round, sappy and mouth coating flavors that display a discreet but attractive mineral streak on the hugely long finish.  This is terrific and the old vine character is very much in evidence.  (92-95)/2018+

As it usually is, this is considerably more elegant and refined with airy, pure and stylish aromas that possess real lift as well as a beautiful and beguiling array of spice elements on the ripe red pinot fruit that is quite dense and this density continues onto the supple, intense and focused middle weight flavors that display an almost aggressive minerality as well as a delicious, long and explosive finish. This is simply at another level compared to all the other wines in the range. (92-94)/2015+