Domaine Patrick Javillier En Primeur 2020
THE DOMAINE
Marion Javillier, Patrick Javillier’s daughter, is now in charge here.
Patrick took over from his father in 1974. He expanded the domaine’s holdings to today’s ten hectares. Marion makes the red wines, whilst her brother-in-law Pierre-Emmanuel makes the whites. 80% of the domaine’s production is white wine and 20% red wine.
Marion stressed that 2020 was a vintage of clement weather – she was particularly pleased with the absence of both (significant) frost and hail, both of which have ravaged Meursault over recent years. Harvest here was early. The domaine, always quick out of the blocks, started picking the Pinot Noir on 23rd August, finishing the Chardonnay on the 31st.
THE WINES
THE 2020 VINTAGE AT DOMAINE PATRICK JAVILLIER
These 2020s are “traditional” Meursaults, in Marion’s word - wines of fresh acids and chalky terroir nuance, which she believes have greater elegance than the more concentrated 2019s.
BOURGOGNE CÔTE D’OR CUVÉE DES FORGETS
Named after the Rue des Forges, where the domaine is based, this comes from a number of parcels on the Volnay side of Meursault, on clay-rich soil which delivers density. The nose is bright and citric, with ripe stone-fruit and a little creamy volume. The palate is crisp and crunchy, with an orchard fruited bite and a luminous purity. Around 20% new oak.
Corney & Barrow Score 17
Recommended drinking from 2022–2025
BOURGOGNE CUVÉE OLIGOCÈNE
This is named after the Oligocène geological epoch, from which these limestone-rich plots date. The vines are on the Puligny (southern) side of the village, below Meursault 1er Cru Les Charmes Dessous. Green citrus and lime zest aromas. The palate is more voluminous than the Forgets, white peach and a corresponding step-up in chalky mineral tension, thanks to the limestone soils here.
Corney & Barrow Score 17.5
Recommended drinking from 2022–2025
MEURSAULT LES TILLETS
Les Tillets is a large vineyard, high on the slope, southwest of the village. The domaine has almost two hectares here. Rock and limestone soils, at the top of the slope, make for a very mineral style. Fine, precise, flinty aromas of orchard and stone-fruit. The palate opens stony-mineral-driven, before putting on weight and flesh on the mid-palate. Excellent persistence, the minerality emerging again on the finish. 30% new oak.
Corney & Barrow Score 17.5-18
Recommended drinking from 2023–2028
MEURSAULT LES CLOUSOTS
The name Clousots reflects the blend of Les Clous (deep clay soils, mid-slope) and Crotots (limestone-rich). The latter, south of the village, is just beneath 1er Cru Les Poruzots. The two parcels are always vinified separately and then blended. This combines the flesh and opulence of Les Clous with the flinty definition and smoky bite of Crotots. A powerful wine and a compelling case for blending sites. Aged in one- and two-year-old barrels.
Corney & Barrow Score 17.5+
Recommended drinking from 2023–2028
MEURSAULT CUVÉE TÊTE DE MURGER
This is another blend of two sites, vinified separately, Les Murgers de Monthélie and Les Casse-Têtes (literally “broken heads” [of the stones] – a rocky, limestone-rich site). Pretty aromas of jasmine and delicate honeysuckle. The palate is linear and mineral-driven, with a building white peach fleshiness and sherbety zest. Excellent wine.
Corney & Barrow Score 18
Recommended drinking from 2023–2028
SAVIGNY-LÈS-BEAUNE 1ER CRU LES SERPENTIÈRES
There is more limestone than clay in Serpentières, underscoring the tension of this wine. Dark forest fruit aromas, with bitter cherry and liquorice. The palate is cool and focused, with chocolatey, blackcurrant flavours unwinding around a core of supple tannins. Harvested around 23rd August. 30% new oak, 100% destemmed. 13% abv.
Corney & Barrow Score 17.5-18
Recommended drinking from 2024–2029