2019 - Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Prieur, Rossignol-Trapet

The 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Prieur 1er Cru offers brambly red fruit on the nose, which is not quite as cohesive as Amélie Berthaut's Fixin Les Arvelets that precedes it. It has lighter extraction in evidence, coming across as earthy with touches of rolled tobacco. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit. A little chewy in texture with fine weight, it seems comparatively rustic toward the finish. Time will meliorate this Premier Cru, but it just misses a bit of pedigree. Tasted blind at the Burgfest tasting.

25–30% new oak. Barrel sample. Smudgy crimson. Dark fruit, but quite closed. Chewy, fresh, balanced. Correct rather than exciting. The tannins slightly thickened by the oak on the finish. (JH)