2017 Taupenot-Merme Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru La Riotte

Taupenot Merme

France / Burgundy / Taupenot Merme

From one of Morey's leading premiers crus, with mostly very old vines and the same geology as Mazoyères, with calcareous soil rich in clay. Taupenot-Merme has a 0.57ha parcel and the estate's vines are more than 60 years old on average.

November, 2018

Neal Martin

Vinous Media

91-93 points

The 2017 Morey-Saint-Denis La Riotte 1er Cru has a slightly more confit-like bouquet than Taupenot-Merme’s other 2017s, a little showier, but still very pure, revealing hints of kirsch and blood orange. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red berry fruit, a fine bead of acidity and just a little chewiness toward the finish, which delivers firm grip. Excellent.

January, 2019

Allen Meadows

Burghound

90-92 points

Once again there is just enough reduction present to push the fruit to the background. On the palate there is both good freshness and verve to the firm and relatively serious medium-bodied flavors that are a bit less refined but noticeably more powerful, all wrapped in a dusty and slightly longer and more structured finale.

November, 2018

Julia Harding MW

jancisrobinson.com

16.5++/20

In the middle of the premiers crus of Morey. Below Clos St-Denis. Same soils as Mazoyères, ie 80 cm of clay on top of limestone fossils (crinoidal limestone). Never suffers from hydric stress. Vines 60 years old. Mid cherry red. Dark-red fruit. This has a dry, chalky texture that strikes more than the fruit on the palate, but the fruit is there to re-emerge with time. At the moment it seems dry and a little severe on the palate. Hard work just now, rather muscular. Needs more time but it’s long.

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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.