2019 Taupenot-Merme Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru

Taupenot Merme

France / Burgundy / Taupenot Merme

The family owns 0.043Ha of vines on the grand cru, planted in 1975.

November, 2020

Jasper Morris - Inside Burgundy

92-94 points.

Slightly less intense purple, a soft pleasing strawberry fruit, very sensual right across the palate, this has worked better in 2019 than the year before, with a seductive long finish here. Appealing.

December, 2020

Neal Martin

Vinous Media

92-94 points.

The 2019 Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru is a "decent" quantity this year according to Romain Taupenot, though that only equates to a measly 170-litres. Despite the miniscule quantity, this is still de-stemmed. It has a crisp nose with brambly red berry fruit, pressed rose petals and a touch of Earl Grey. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins. It feels cohesive and poised, gentle towards the smooth finish with lightly spiced red fruit, bay leaf and a pinch of sea salt. Lovely...if you can find it.

January, 2021

Allen Meadows

Burghound

90-93 points.

This is unusually high-toned and particularly so for the vintage with its blend of red currant, cherry, raspberry and pretty floral wisps. The lilting and energetic middle weight flavours are finer still though without the same power and taut muscularity while delivering solid length on the balanced and moderately firm finale.

Standard Bottle Out of Stock

About Taupenot Merme

Brother-and-sister team Virginie and Romain are at the helm at this domaine. It has 13 hectares on the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits, with grands crus including Clos des Lambrays, Charmes-Chambertin, Corton-Rognet and Mazoyères-Chambertin. These seventh generation winegrowers are typical of the new crop of young Burgundian vignerons who are realising the full potential of priceless family vineyard parcels through sensitive viticulture and thoughtful winemaking. All grapes are de-stemmed, with 25% new oak used for the village wines and 40% for grand and premier cru. Virginie looks after sales while Romain works the cellar, producing structured, self-assured Burgundy that expresses the vineyards well. The wines are getting better and better.

About

Seventh-generation Romain Taupenot is in charge of winemaking at Domaine Taupenot-Merme, aided by his sister Virginie. It's widely and correctly acknowledged that the estate, which has been working along organic principles since 2001, is on the up and up in terms of quality. Its results from the 2006 and 2007 vintages are drinking beautifully, and Romain has triumphed against all odds in the difficult vintages of 2012 and 2013.