Dégustation Millésime 2010

Allen Meadows - USA - Burghound.com

Guillaume Tardy is now in charge of this small, traditional 5.5 ha domaine though papa Jean is still on the scene to offer advice and a helping hand here and there. The younger Tardy describes 2010 as a “cool vintage that achieved remarkably good phenolic ripeness. The acidities are firm but not aggressive and the tannins are much riper than I expected. We began picking on the 25th of September and the fruit was actually very clean and required relatively minor sorting and most of that was for under ripe berries rather than rot. Potential alcohols were good to very good at between 11.8 and 12.8% and as such there wasn’t much in the way of chaptalization. As to the wines, I very much like them because they have a wonderful sense of energy with silky tannins that make for a seductive mouth feel and really lovely balance. I think that once people taste them they may very well prefer the slightly more restrained style of the ‘10s to the more opulent and richer style of the ‘09s.

2010's Barrel tasting:

 2010 Bourgogne – Hautes Côtes de Nuits: A pretty and very fresh nose of red pinot fruit that evidences subtle mineral nuances leads to rich, round and attractively detailed flavors that possess a racy, precise and energetic finish. This is a lovely effort and fashioned in an unadorned and understated style. (85-87)/2013+

 2010 Fixin “La Place”: A ripe, complex and attractive mix of earthy dark berry fruit aromas is given added appeal by the presence of violet and cassis hints. There is good punch to the very supple and surprisingly silky middle weight flavors that are not only delicious but relatively refined in the context of the appellation. This lacks a bit of depth at present but if it adds even a little this could transform into an above average villages. (86-89)/2015+

 2010 Chambolle-Musigny “Les Athets Vieilles Vignes”: Deep ruby. A gentle touch of wood frames the ripe, complex and attractively complex nose featuring both red and blue pinot fruit that also displays tinges of violets, spice and earth. The textured medium-bodied flavors possess good dry extract that buffers the moderately firm shaping tannins on the nicely lingering finish. This is a very fine villages that has a good track record for rewarding mid-term cellaring. (88-91)/2016+

 2010 Nuits St. Georges “Au Bas de Combe Vieilles Vignes”: (from 50+ year old vines). In 2010 this could pass for a villages level Vosne as there are abundant spice notes on the otherwise earthy, cool and ripe black currant and plum suffused nose. There is an abundance of energy on the well-delineated flavors where the supporting tannins are also relatively fine, all wrapped in a rich, vibrant and well-balanced finish. This will need some time to unwind but there is enough sap that it should be approachable in its youth if desired. Worth considering. (89-91)/2017+

 2010 Vosne-Romanée “Le Vigneux”: (this vineyard is situated on the north side of the village next to Bas Maizières and Tardy’s is the only separately declared example of which I am aware). A softly spiced and beautifully layered dark berry fruit nose leads to round, and velvety medium-bodied flavors that display silky tannins on the precise, punchy and linear finish. This is picture perfect Vosne and an exercise in harmony as the balance is impeccable. Recommended. (89-91)/2016+

 2010 Gevrey-Chambertin “Champs Perriers Vieilles Vignes”: (from vines planted in 1957). A completely different aromatic profile speaks of very fresh, cool and restrained wild red berry fruit aromas that are liberally sprinkled with notes of underbrush, pungent earth, humus and that unique Gevrey animale character. There is admirably richness to the generous, vibrant and utterly delicious medium-bodied flavors that exude a fine minerality on the balanced, firm and lingering finish. A quality villages. (88-91)/2017+

 2010 Nuits St. Georges “Les Argillas”: (from a .40 ha parcel of vines that average about 40 years of age). A relatively reticent nose of warm earth, red currant and black raspberry plus a touch of forest floor gives way to delineated and highly energetic medium weight flavors that possess fine depth as well as excellent persistence. This well-balanced effort should require 8 to 10 years of cellar time before it reaches its apogee. (89-92)/2018+

 2010 Echézeaux – Les Treux Vieilles Vignes: A background touch of wood does not materially inhibit the expressiveness of the notably ripe primarily black fruit, spice and earth suffused nose. There is both excellent volume and richness to the focused, powerful and broad-scaled flavors that enjoy an abundance of dry extract before terminating in a velvety yet slightly austere finish. This is quite firm without being hard and this too will require at least a decade before it arrives at its full maturity. (90-93)/2020+

2009's Bottle tasting

Note: the Tardy ‘09s were bottled in January and February 2011.

 2009 Fixin “La Place”: A deft touch of wood sets off ripe, smoky and earthy red pinot fruit that is in keeping with the earthy, rich and solidly voluminous middle weight flavors that possess a soft, supple and very round mid-palate that retains a good sense of focus and punch on the balanced finish. 87/2014+

 2009 Chambolle-Musigny “Les Athets Vieilles Vignes”: Noticeable wood sets off otherwise ripe aromas of red berry liqueur and wet stone notes where the latter can also be found on the rich, delicious and well-delineated medium-bodied flavors that are not especially dense but the balance is impeccable on the lingering if slightly oaky finish. 88/2015+

 2009 Nuits St. Georges “Au Bas de Combe Vieilles Vignes”: (from 50+ year old vines). Discreet wood mixes with ripe aromas of warm earth and liqueur-like red currant that also evidences a hint of the sauvage that continues onto the rich and attractively textured medium weight flavors that possess excellent dry extract that confers a velvety mouth feel onto the unusually precise finish. This is a really lovely villages as it offers fine volume and concentration yet with almost no rusticity. Recommended. 90/2015+

 2009 Vosne-Romanée “Le Vigneux”: (this vineyard is situated on the north side of the village next to Bas Maizières and Tardy’s is the only separately declared example of which I am aware). An exuberantly expressive and alluringly fresh and spicy nose speaks of cassis and plum aromas that precede rich and silky middle weight flavors that possess good mid-palate fat that renders the firm supporting tannins almost invisible on the velvety and balanced finish. Despite the excellent level of richness, this is essentially a wine of finesse and even better, it is quintessentially Vosne in character. I should note that there is enough wood influence that it’s noticeable but given the density of material, it will probably be absorbed in time. 89/2014+

 2009 Gevrey-Chambertin “Champs Perriers Vieilles Vignes”: (from vines planted in 1957). Just as is the case with the 2010 version relative to its stable mates, there is a completely different aromatic expression present here with a very fresh and cool dark berry fruit nose that also evidences notes of damp earth, humus and an animale hint. There is fine richness and depth to the full-bodied and serious middle weight flavors that also possess sufficient mid-palate fat to completely buffer the firm tannins on the velvety, mouth coating and solidly lingering finish. Lovely and well worth a look. 89/2015+

 2009 Echézeaux – Les Treux Vieilles Vignes: A highly spiced and mildly toasty nose features notes of anise, hoisin, clove and cinnamon as well as attractively fresh and bright aromas of plum and black berry liqueur. There is that very attractive quality of inner mouth perfume to the equally spicy and distinctly earthy broad-shouldered and seductively rich flavors that brim with an abundance of dry extract on the suave yet solidly precise, balanced and powerful finish where a touch of mocha surfaces. This should effortlessly reward 8 to 10 years in the cellar. 91/2017+

Neal Martin - UK - Wine reports on Erobertparker.com - Janvier 2012:

 2010 Domaine Jean Tardy Fixin La Place 90
There is a candied element to the nose with succulent wild strawberry and raspberry notes interlaced with vanilla. The palate is succulent with juicy with crisp acidity counterbalanced the fleshy, succulent red fruit. There is a saline touch just on the finish. Very fine.

2010 Domaine Jean Tardy Echezeaux Les Treux 94-96
The Les Treux has a very opulent bouquet that marries a bit of the 2009s extrovert personality with 2010’s mineralite. Notes of raspberry, a little cassis and violet. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins. Very good delineation and weight with structure and breadth on the finish. Beautifully assimilated oak, this is a serious Echezeaux.

2010 Jean Tardy Chambolle Musigny les Athets (91-93)

Quite deep in colour, the Les Athets has a gorgeous ripe vanilla-tinged bouquet with redcurrants, raspberries and a touch of violet. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, slightly gritty tannins. There is very good weight and it is very focused, and then it eases off the accelerator leaving a very elegant finish. Excellent. Tasted January 2012.

2010 Jean Tardy Hautes Cotes de Nuits   ( 88-90)

This Haut Cote de Nuits delivers lovely ripe   dark cherry and cranberry fruit that is well-defined and very crisp. The   palate is blessed with an effervescent entry that tingles on the tongue.   There are lovely ripe strawberry and Morello flavours that inform the pure   persistent finish that is more than satisfying. Tasted January 2012.

2010 Jean Tardy Nuits St Georges1er   cru  Aux Argillas ( 90-92 )

This    Argillas has a more rounded, sensual nose that Tardy’s other 2010s   with fresh strawberry, Morello and raspberry. The palate is medium-bodied   with crisp tannins that fan out nicely across this fleshy Pinot Noir. It is   elegant and silky smooth on the Vosne-like finish. It is very fine and maybe   earlier drinking than Tardy’s other 2010s. Tasted January 2012

 2010 Jean Tardy Nuits St Georges   Vieilles Vignes Bas de Combe ( 89-91 )

The Bas de Combe is relatively muted on the   nose compared to Tardy’s other 2010 barrel samples. The palate is   medium-bodied with a slightly chewy entry, just a touch of reduction here,   leading to a structured but conservative finish. Fine, but it will need 5-8   years in bottle. Tasted January 2012.

Jancis Robinson - UK - Janvier 2012 :

Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits rouge 2010 : 16/20

 Pale purplish crimson. Delicate mix of red fruit and the tiniest hint of leafiness. Deliciously juicy and fresh and fluid. Lots of unassuming pleasure – even soon. Drink: 2013 to 2017

 Chambolle Musigny ' Les Athets' 2010 : 17/20

Mid purplish crimson. Fragrant, lightly spiced. Super silky and scented, with the tannins gripping a little more firmly on the fresh scented long finish. Such finesse and then you realise there is also lovely depth of fruit sustaining this elegance. Drink: 2016 to 2026

Gevrey Chambertin 'Champerriers' Vieille vigne 2010 : 17/20

 Spicy, peppery first impression. Sweet oak spice. Elegant and silky but with fine tannins and freshness driving to a long finish. Subtle but beautifully sustained. Drink: 2016 to 2017

 Nuits St Georges 'Bas de Combe' vieille vigne 2010 : 16.5/20

 Rich, seductive and riper smelling than most in this line up. But still has the hallmarks of elegance and freshness. Silky smooth, a good bit lighter on the palate than the Argillas. Drink: 2016 to 2022

 Vosne-Romanée 'Vigneux' 2010 : 17/20

A little less expressive than the Athets at the moment but there's still an inviting red-fruit fragrance. Darker and more savoury on the palate. Tense and taut but fine, fine tannins. Fluid and juicy over a fine-boned but fitting structure. Drink: 2017 to 2028

 Nuits St Georges 1er Cru 'Aux Argillas' 2010 : 17.5/20

Fragrant and inviting. Fine, so smooth but with well-hidden structural foundation. Touch of spice, silky dark fruit, wonderfully mellifluous and delicately seductive. Drink: 2017 to 2028