Daniel Largeot Beaune Les Greves Premier Cru 2015
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James
Suckling
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James Suckling
Oak chimes in deeper here with toasty, tarry influence. Fruits sit in the dark plum and dark cherry zone. There's a cooler, herbal thread in the palate. Extremely plush tannins. This is smart.
Unfortunately Daniel Largeot passed away in 2008, but his daughter and son-in-law continue to work his 13 hectares spread over five appellations, with Marie-France in charge of vinification and Remy in charge of the vines. Their philosophy that wine is made in the vineyard is simple. "We invest tremendous time and effort between the vines,” says Remy, “because when the grapes are not at their best, they are difficult to improve in the winery."
This is a wonderful domaine to find well-constructed and fruity Pinot Noir for fans looking for overachieving wines from unheralded appellations. They are and excellent old school producer, without relying on the trappings of sexy new oak but rather displaying deep red fruit and a subtle hint of earthiness that only adds to the wine’s appeal. This is another domaine whose wines over deliver for their price.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
While the city represents the epicenter of wine production in Burgundy, the term, “Beaune” also refers to the specific sub-appellation of the greater Côte de Beaune, whose vineyards climb up the pastoral slopes that border the city to its west. Originally founded as a Roman camp by Julius Caesar, the city of Beaune eventually became the seat of the dukes of Burgundy until the 13th century. Today it is home to top négociants such as Louis Jadot, Joseph Drouhin, Louis Latour, and Bouchard Père et Fils.
The appellation, dominated by Pinot Noir plantings, represents a lovely and charming place to begin to understand red Burgundy. Its sandy soils create light and supple, floral driven Pinot Noir. These wines are designed to be enjoyed within five to 10 years. The vineyards of Beaune span a broad swath of Premier Crus from Savigny-lès-Beaune to its border with Pommard.
Chardonnay acreage here has been increasing here in the more recent years.