Aurelien Verdet ‘Le Prieure’ Bourgogne Hautes-Cote de Nuits 2017
The oak is the first thing that pops up on the nose here. Behind it is a choir of red fruit; the oak contributing nutmeg spice, liquorice and a vanilla bean bent to the red and black berries. Polished and modern. The 4ha Le Prieure vineyard is a monopole (ie solely owned by the Verdet Estate) and was certified organic under his father’s reign in 1971. Interestingly, all of the wines at the estate are vinified the same way: Minimal sulphur, wild yeast fermentation, slow and gentle extraction (up to 10 days cold maceration). The wines are aged in French oak from the Troncais and Vosges forests, never more than 30% new each year. The wines from Aurelien Verdet (he himself not yet 40 yrs old) are delicious, offering a reliably plush, modern and inviting fruit profile. This wine is no exception, and would evaporate at the pre-dinner table, if given the opportunity.
92+/100