“Establishing new, direct relationships is possibly the most enjoyable and rewarding aspect of what we do at Atlas; that feeling is intensified when the estate in question is a Burgundian domaine that we have been tracking for several vintages. It suffices to say that we are very pleased to be adding the wines of Domaine Latour-Giraud to our offering, a producer which curiously remains under-the-radar.”
So opened our email in April 2017 when we first offered the wines of Domaine Latour-Giraud, and with each subsequent vintage we taste, we continue to be impressed. Under the watchful eye of Jean-Pierre Latour, this Meursault-based Domaine produces wines that express their terroir so elegantly, displaying structure and concentration of fruit with effortless ease, but without the try-hard, flashier feel of some producers; it leaves us asking how these wines have remained relatively under-the-radar for so long. However, critics are catching on and Allen Meadows of Burghound has just published a review of the 2018s this month. In addition to very positive notes, almost all the wines received the Burghound accolade of “Outstanding” or “Outstanding Top value”.
Great news for Jean-Pierre Latour. Less good news for those who wanted this to be their secret. Definitely not fake news though.
Jean-Pierre generously allocated us larger volumes of the 2018s – though this was in-advance compensation for the yield-compromised 2019 vintage to come.
Below are Latour-Giraud 2018s we still have in stock together with Meadows’ recent notes.
Domaine Latour-Giraud, Meursault 1er Cru, Les Genevrières 2018
£295 per 6 bottle case in bond
Allen Meadows, burghound.com, 92 points, June 2020
Smoky, cool and elegant aromas are composed primarily of various white orchard fruit, acacia blossom, citrus rind, wood and a hint of exotic tea. The racy, intense and admirably concentrated flavors possess very good volume as well as an appealing minerality that adds a sense of lift to the sneaky long, balanced and firm finale. This too is lovely and a wine that will need at least a few years of cellaring as it's presently fairly tightly wound. Outstanding.
Domaine Latour-Giraud, Meursault 1er Cru, Les Charmes 2018
£295 per 6 bottle case in bond
Allen Meadows, burghound.com, 91-94 points, June 2020
A more elegant and very Meursault nose combines notes of hazelnut, pear, acacia blossom and a wisp of petrol. The medium weight flavors are not as dense or powerful, but they are notably finer with a lovely bead of minerality emerging on the focused, long and agreeably dry finale. This is lovely and it's not so structured that it couldn't be approached after only a few years of cellaring. Sweet spot Outstanding.
Domaine Latour-Giraud, Meursault 1er Cru, Les Bouchères 2018
£240 per 6 bottle case in bond
Allen Meadows, burghound.com, 92 points, June 2020
Noticeable post-bottling reduction overshadows the fruit at present. Otherwise there is a highly attractive sense of refinement to the medium weight flavors that exude a more subtle bead of minerality on the rich but delicate finale This gorgeously textured and moderately structured effort should reward up to a decade of cellaring. Outstanding.
Domaine Latour-Giraud, Meursault, Les Narvaux 2018
£210 per 6 bottle case in bond
Allen Meadows, burghound.com, 89-91 points, June 2020
The cool essence of spiced pear is complemented by notes of citrus, mineral reduction and lavender. As is usually the case there is more evident minerality to the intense and delicious flavors that are not quite as dense but they're both finer and more precise on the saline, dry and youthfully austere finale. Lovely. Outstanding.
Domaine Latour-Giraud, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru, Champ Canet 2018
£320 per 6 bottle case in bond
Allen Meadows, burghound.com, 93 points, June 2020
A discreet touch of wood easily allows the appealingly spicy aromas of petrol, lemon grass, white flower and apple to shine. The rich, full-bodied and utterly delicious flavors possess an opulent and highly seductive mouthfeel while coating the palate on the decidedly firm, precise and solidly persistent finish that is dry but not really austere. Good stuff and very Champs Canet in character. Sweet spot Outstanding.
Domaine Latour-Giraud, Bourgogne Chardonnay 2018
£90 per 6 bottle case in bond
Allen Meadows, burghound.com, 88 points, June 2020
Whiffs of matchstick and petrol sits atop the aromas of white-fleshed fruit and soft citrus. The racy and very intense flavors possess excellent volume while displaying fine length on the refreshing finish. This is an excellent Bourgogne that would make a terrific house white. Outstanding Top value.
Domaine Latour-Giraud, Volnay 1er Cru, Clos des Chênes 2018
£270 per 6 bottle case in bond
Allen Meadows, burghound.com, 92 points, April 2020
Liqueur-like aromas of ripe black cherry, red currant, tea and discreet spice elements are trimmed in just enough wood to notice. The wonderfully seductive and generously proportioned flavors deliver sneaky good length on the lingering and overtly mineral-inflected finish. I wouldn't describe this as especially concentrated but I very much like the sense of harmony on the firmly structured finale that will require at least some patience to resolve. Lovely. Outstanding Top value.
If you don’t know these wines already then maybe it is time you did?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Take care,
Richard