I have made reference to Romain Taupenot in our vintage report and it would appear that he has produced a fine set of wines in 2019 based on the samples we tasted while on a Zoom call in which he spoke with great insight and honesty about the vintage and recognised the changes taking place in Burgundy as a it addresses the evident impact of climate change. Romain commented that both Morey and Nuits St Georges are particularly benefitting, while a number of commentators have mentioned Morey and Gevrey as successful in 2019.
About Domaine Taupenot-Merme, we have said it for some time but Neal Martin writes in his domaine intro for the 2019s that “quality has dramatically improved in recent years – as I keep telling anyone that will listen.” Martin is now one of our preferred Burgundy critics, having increased the level of detail and insight he brings over several years already.
While we were able to taste a couple of Romain Taupenot’s 2019s, circumstances meant we could not assess the full range so I defer to Martin again who added “These 2019s from Taupenot-Merme continue their strong run of form, highlights a majestic Mazoyères-Chambertin and a supremely gifted Gevrey-Chambertin Bel-Air.” The latter of which we are delighted to be able to offer this year in addition to the more usual selection.
2019 Morey-St Denis, Domaine Taupenot-Merme
£255 per 6 bottle case in bond
Neal Martin, vinous.com, (90-92) points, December 2020
The 2019 Morey-Saint-Denis Village has a vibrant, quite minty bouquet that is forward and full of beans. It develops lovely floral scents of roses petals and iris with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine structured that one expects from a Morey and delivers striking salinity and spiciness on the finish. Superb. Drink 2024-2036
2019 Chambolle-Musigny, Domaine Taupenot-Merme
£235 per 6 bottle case in bond
Neal Martin, vinous.com, (90-92) points, December 2020
The 2019 Chambolle-Musigny Village has a transparent bouquet with touches of Earl Grey tea interwoven into the lifted red berry scents. There is fine mineralité and that is transposed onto the palate that is very well balanced. Classic in style with a persistent, grainy textured finish and a peppery aftertaste, dare I say, but say I do, this is one of the best damn Chambolle-Musigny Village wines that you will come across in 2019. Drink 2024-2038
2019 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru, Bel Air, Domaine Taupenot-Merme
£495 per 6 bottle case in bond
Neal Martin, vinous.com, (92-94) points, December 2020
The 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin Bel Air 1er Cru is attractive and fresh on the nose, melted tar and pencil box scents percolating through the red and black fruit, a hint of orange rind with time. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, finely tuned with such pretty red cherry and wild strawberry notes on the tart finish. Taupenot referred to this as his "baby Bèze" - a perfectly apt description. Drink 2024-2048
2019 Morey-St Denis 1er Cru, La Riotte, Domaine Taupenot-Merme
£410 per 6 bottle case in bond
Creamy cherry and berry fruit on the nose. Pure, clean and ripe but scented with creamy raspberry notes. The palate shows a great sense of harmony and balance. There is an appealing cherry stone grip and persistence. A great success showing pure fruit, fine freshness and an overall sense of harmony. Drink 2023-2035 (ROM)
2019 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru, La Combe d’Orveaux, Domaine Taupenot-Merme
£510 per 6 bottle case in bond
Neal Martin, vinous.com, (91-93) points, December 2020
The 2019 Chambolle-Musigny La Combe d'Orveau 1er Cru has a showy bouquet with raspberry, cranberry, bergamot and tea leaf aromas, perhaps just needing a little more cohesion that should develop during the remainder of its maturation. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins, black fruit laced with graphite leading to a fresh, classically styled finish that stylistically reminds me of Morey than Chambolle. Time will let it make up its mind what it wants to grow up and become, but it will be quite excellent. Drink 2023-2037
2019 Nuits-St Georges 1er Cru, Les Pruliers, Domaine Taupenot-Merme
£410 per 6 bottle case in bond
Neal Martin, vinous.com, (91-93) points, December 2020
The 2019 Nuits Saint-Georges Les Pruliers 1er Cru has a backward bouquet that demands coaxing, scents of dark berry fruit, leather and sous-bois, with brown spices and sage. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and a fine bead of acidity. Quite linear in style, it politely refuses to fan out on the finish. If you are looking for a strict and slightly backward Les Pruliers then this is the place to come. Drink 2023-2037
2019 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru, Domaine Taupenot-Merme
£840 per 6 bottle case in bond
Clean vibrant, fresh red fruit. Such clarity and definition with a real sense of precision. Wonderful, sweet fruit length of cherry and red berry fruit is balanced by finely pixelated tannins. Vibrant mineral drive. Great length with the wet stone, mineral grip finely balanced against the fruit core. Very good. Drink 2025-2040 (ROM)
2019 Mazoyères-Chambertin Grand Cru, Domaine Taupenot-Merme
£990 per 6 bottle case in bond
Neal Martin, vinous.com, (95-97) points, December 2020
The 2019 Mazoyères-Chambertin Grand Cru has a little more intensity than the Charmes-Chambertin, damp undergrowth, moss, light leafy aromas tincturing the mainly red fruit and developing more and more earthiness with aeration. The palate is medium bodied with supple tannins and a fine bead of acidity. Taut and fresh with perhaps the most saline finish of all Romain Taupenot’s cuvées this year, it is destined to be a wonderful Mazoyères-Chambertin for sure. Best in show chez Taupenot-Merme. Drink 2024-2050