Domaine Tawse, Mazis-Chambertin, Grand Cru 2016 (WA92-94)

Grape(s)          :  Pinot Noir

Description     :

"The 2016 Mazi-Chambertin Grand Cru was showing more reduction than the Mazoyères and so the nose was difficult to read. It came at 13.6% natural alcohol. The palate is structured and masculine, the whole cluster rendering this a little more rough-hewn and rustic (35% whole bunch). The domaine describes this as a “sleeping giant,” and it will require several years in bottle to really come together. Sinewy and introspective, this is for those with patience and a cellar. The news here is that Bertrand Maume, who made the wines at Domaine Maume, subsequently sold to Murray Tawse, has taken back some if his vineyards that were under contract to make his own wines. This includes Gevrey-Chambertin Cherbaude. This meant that the winemaking team, headed up by Mark Fincham, no longer have use of Bertrand’s winery on the RN74 in Gevrey-Chambertin. Henceforth, all the domaine wines are made at their facility in the heart of Nuits Saint-Georges. “We came off pretty well from the frost except for Les Crays and some Bourgogne Rouge. We escaped the frost pretty well so we are 15% to 20% down in Gevrey, mainly in the village crus. Mazis-Chambertin only just escaped the frost damage. There was some problem with mildew as it rained throughout May and the vineyards affected by frost struggled. The vineyards that did not get frost damage had a huge crop although we used 17kg cagettes to bring in the fruit since it was important to keep the precision of the wines.” This was another fine set of wines from Domaine Tawse, perhaps not quite up there with their excellent 2015s although in most cases not far off. In particular, I loved their Mazoyères-Chambertin with the Mazis-Chambertin not far behind. They now have a barrel of Musigny thanks to their additional purchase (they only made a few dozen litres of their first vintage) that was also packed with potential. Elsewhere, I did feel that there was some impact from the frost but the winemaking skill here saw the wines through. Readers should also refer to their négoçiant range under "Marchand Tawse." "-RP'92-94