Vinous
January 2014
2012 Domaine Lécheneaut
Chambolle Musigny
The 2012 Chambolle-Musigny jumps from the glass with exotic red fruit, sweet
spices and mint in a wine that shows the darker, more mysterious side of the
village. There is a level of depth and pure resonance that makes the 2012
incredibly appealing. Once again, the village Chambolle is one of my favorite
wines in the range. A supple, radiant finish rounds things out nicely.
(90-
92)
2012 Domaine Lécheneaut
Nuits Saint Georges Les Pruliers 1er Cru
The 2012 Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Pruliers is energetic, vibrant and polished to
the core, especially for a wine of this size. Layers of blue and black-toned fruit,
licorice, cloves and violets all burst from the glass. The 2012 is going to need
quite a bit of time for the elements to come together, but this is another wine
with a seemingly bright future. I would not be surprised if the Pruliers is a bit
overlooked though, as there is little in the way of immediacy at this stage.
(93-
95)
2012 Domaine Lécheneaut
Nuits Saint Georges Les Damodes 1er Cru
The 2012 Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Damodes is dark, powerful and mysterious.
Sweet tobacco, licorice, black fruit and new leather flow through to the imposing
finish. The Damodes is a wine of density and power, yet it also shows wonderful
detail and nuance. Radiant and voluptuous, the 2012 hints at a brilliant future.
There is so much to like here, but the 2012 needs time, and likely lots of it.
(92-
94)
2012 Domaine Lécheneaut
Marsannay Les Sampagny
The 2012 Marsannay Les Sampagny is gorgeous in this vintage. Rich and
concentrated, especially within the context of Marsannay, the 2012 delivers the
goods. Blueberry jam, cloves, menthol and licorice all take shape in the glass.
The addition of 50% whole clusters adds a dimension of aromatic lift that is
highly appealing. The 2012 impresses for the purity of its fruit and its sheer
voluptuousness. At the same time, there is plenty of underlying minerality. This
is a big wine, in the style of the year, but all the elements are in the right place.
(89-
91)
2012 Domaine Lécheneaut
Morey Saint Denis
Lecheneaut’s 2012 Morey Saint Denis is endowed with gorgeous energy and
drive. Graphite, crushed rocks, black fruit and licorice meld together as the wine
opens up. The 2012 needs a few years to fully come together, but it is
promising. There is no shortage of intensity or richness, that is for sure.
(89-
91)
2012 Domaine Lécheneaut
Gevrey Chambertin
The 2012 Gevrey Chambertin is the most exuberant of Lechenaut’s village-level
wines. Blue and black fruits, spices, French oak and violets blossom in the glass
in a succulent, expressive Burgundy. The style is round, layered and built on
texture. Today, my sense is that the 2012 will offer a broad drinking window
once it comes together in bottle. There is a lot to like and to look forward to
here.
(89-
91)
2012 Domaine Lécheneaut
Nuits Saint Georges
A blast of blue/black tinged fruit, smoke, tobacco, licorice and incense hits the
palate as the 2012 Nuits-Saint-Georges opens up in the glass. Vibrant and total
focus are two of the principal signatures. Graphite, violets and mineral notes
develop over time, adding layers of complexity. Power and minerality fuse
together on the structured, enveloping finish, suggesting readers will need to be
patient here.
(89-
91+)
2012 Domaine Lécheneaut
Vosne Romanee
Dark red cherry, plum, spice, tobacco and licorice are all woven together in the
2012 Vosne-Romanée. Wonderfully complete and expressive at this level, the
2012 impresses for its voluptuous personality and radiant, totally inviting finish.
The estate’s Vosne-Romanée emerges from Les Ravioles, which lies on the
border with Nuits St. Georges. This is a fabulous showing from Lécheneaut. The
2012 was fermented with 10-15% whole clusters and aged in 50% new barrels.
(90-
92)
2012 Domaine Lécheneaut
Nuits Saint Georges Au Chouillet
The 2012 Nuits-Saint-Georges Au Chouillet is silky and gracious from start to
finish. Sweet red berries, tobacco, menthol, spices, mint and licorice meld
together in a gorgeous, inviting wine. The 2012 impresses for its creamy, silky
texture and totally inviting personality. Sweet floral and spice notes wrap around
the finish. This a terrific showing from Lécheneaut. This is the second vintage
for the Chouillet, which emerges from a parcel on the northern side of Nuits that
used to go into the village bottling.
(90-
92)
2012 Domaine Lécheneaut
Morey Saint Denis Clos Des Ormes
Lecheneaut’s 2012 Morey-Saint-Denis Clos des Ormes is gorgeous. Layers of
dark, expressive fruit are woven together with threads of bright acidity and
minerality that give the wine its persistence and finesse. With time in the glass,
the 2012 turns brighter and more floral. Sweet red berries linger on the polished
finish. This is another lovely showing from Lécheneaut. The Clos des Ormes is
made from fruit on both the villages and 1er Cru portions of the vineyard.
(90-
92)
2012 Domaine Lécheneaut
Morey SaintDenis Les Charrieres 1er Cru
The 2012 Morey-Saint-Denis Les Charrieres is deep, plush and beautifully
resonant in the glass. A wine that impresses for its volume and breadth, the
2012 shows an unusually supple side of Morey. This expressive, open Morey
should drink well with minimum cellaring, although it also has the potential to
develop nicely in bottle. Today, the Charrieres is striking.
(91-
93)
2012 Domaine Lécheneaut
Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru
Lécheneaut’s 2012 Chambolle-Musigny is a blend of fruit from Borniques and
Plantes. A dark, powerful wine within the context of Chambolle, the 2012
presents layers of deeply spiced fruit, menthol and tobacco. This is a big, broadshouldered
wine with tons of persistence, depth and personality. The 2012
needs time to fully come together, but it is immensely promising and exciting, to
say the least.
(91-
93+)
2012 Domaine Lécheneaut
Clos De La Roche Grand Cru
Violets, savory herbs, blue/blackish fruit, licorice and smoke all come together in
the 2012 Clos de la Roche, a wine that is both voluptuous in its fruit but also
massively structured. The 2012 boasts serious depth and class, but it is a
Burgundy for the patient. Sadly, there are just 1.5 barrels to go around.
Lécheneaut vinified the 2012 Clos de la Roche with 25% whole clusters. This is
another fabulous showing from the Lécheneaut brothers.
(94-
96)