Sebastien Cathiard continues to refine the style here at Domaine Sylvain Cathiard. As we have commented annually since he took over, he has maintained the cushioned, layered textures that had become the trademark of his father and added to them a level of fruit precision and focus that only further cements the reputation of the Domaine as one of the finest in Burgundy. Sebastien began harvesting on 8th September and the natural alcohol levels were between 12.8 and 13.5 with a lone parcel of Vosne villages straying up towards 14, though the village Vosne was ultimately bottled at just 13.6 degrees. The clarity of fruit and the expression of terroir at this heavily Vosne-focused estate is truly breath-taking.
2018 Coteaux Bourguignons Les Croix Blanches, Domaine Sylvain Cathiard
£95 per 6 bottle case in bond
From a vineyard co-planted to 40% Gamay and 60% Pinot Noir, this is the third vintage of this wine. Vibrant, crunchy blue and black berry fruit on the nose and palate. An admirably layered and textured palate for such a humble level. The vibrant blue fruit character runs right through and the finish shows an appealing fruit skin grip. Drink 2021-2026
2018 Bourgogne Rouge, Domaine Sylvain Cathiard
£140 per 6 bottle case in bond
This shows lovely purity of fruit and silkiness of texture, illustrating perfectly the exquisite textural style of the wines of this Domaine. Bright blue fruit and wonderful balance and harmony. Drink 2021-2026
2018 Vosne-Romanée, Domaine Sylvain Cathiard
£320 per 6 bottle case in bond
Fresh, clean, pure, bright blue and black fruit. What is interesting here is that there is a brightness on the palate that is more dominant than the trademark silkiness. In the vintage context this is particularly remarkable and seems to highlight not just the subtle change of style that has been taking place over a couple of years already but also Sebastien’s adeptness in the face of warmer vintages. An exceptional villages Vosne. Drink 2023-2030
2018 Chambolle-Musigny 'Le Clos de l'Orme', Domaine Sylvain Cathiard
£340 per 6 bottle case in bond
Lifted rose petal aromatics accompanied by scented red cherry fruit. A floating elegance through the mid-palate – ethereal. Very, very finely controlled tannins and mineral length with a cherry blossom intensity at the very end. Absolutely beautiful. Drink 2023-2033
2018 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Aux Thorey, Domaine Sylvain Cathiard
£550 per 6 bottle case in bond
Small red and blue fruit on nose and palate. There is a silky elegance on the palate with great harmony and finesse in evidence. Towards the finish there is a ripe, darker fruit skin touch which is then counterbalanced by a taut, gravelly, wet stone energy at the end. This wine always has the style and persistence of a cooler terroir with such wonderful tension evident on the long finish. Drink 2023-2035
2018 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Aux Murgers, Domaine Sylvain Cathiard
£630 per 6 bottle case in bond
Deeper fruit than the Thorey. Spice notes and pure, ripe, dark berry fruit. Round, dense, fruit rich palate which flows with silky texture and ends with ripe, full tannins that are more fruit rich compared to the stonier style of the Thorey. Drink 2023-2035
2018 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Reignots, Domaine Sylvain Cathiard
£820 per 6 bottle case in bond
Bright, fresh, floral fruit is immediately evident on the nose, sweet and perfumed. The palate shows juicy, fresh fruit with all the hugely attractive fruit characters of the nose. A straight line of minerality asserts itself on the palate, bringing such energy and tension to the long finish. Drink 2023-2035
2018 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru En Orveaux, Domaine Sylvain Cathiard
£820 per 6 bottle case in bond
Silky red and blue fruit. While there is an elegant floral dimension, there is also a ripe fruit skin grip. Subtly persistent and with a cool sense of ripeness, there is a white stone, mineral length and so much old vine energy here. Drink 2023-2035
2018 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Suchots, Domaine Sylvain Cathiard
£1,050 per 6 bottle case in bond
Intense and concentrated with a juicy, broad swathe of ripe, fresh fruit and exotic spice. This expands across the palate with a richness and a power of fruit that belies its firm mineral structure. This is pure, powerful and of such precision that it will merit some time in bottle. Drink 2025-2038
2018 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Malconsorts, Domaine Sylvain Cathiard
£1,550 per 6 bottle case in bond
Tiny ripe red and black berry fruit accompanied by a scented floral aspect. The palate is intensely mineral with a linear structure, long and focused but without the slightest hint of austerity. Instead, flowing, silky fruit caresses the palate and there is a vivid brightness of fruit at the end. So fresh and clean but with that stony mineral persistence. Everything is here. Very complete, if nascent. Drink 2025-2040
2018 Romanée Saint-Vivant Grand Cru, Domaine Sylvain Cathiard
£1,950 per 3 bottle case in bond
Beautiful fruit purity. Incredible concentration of fruit but so, so stony too. Such mineral presence but again so much pure, healthy, bright fruit that there is no possibility of any austerity. Very long with a touch of spice at the very end. Exemplary. Of course. Drink 2025-2040