Louis Jadot : Beaune 1er cru "Clos des Ursules" Monopole Dom. Des Héritiers Louis Jadot 2018

The 2018 Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Ursules (Domaine des Héritiers Jadot) is showing very well in bottle, unwinding in the glass with a pretty but youthfully reserved bouquet of sweet red berries, plums and cassis, mingled with hints of dark chocolate, warm spices and coniferous forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, supple and enveloping, it's elegant—even polished—with a succulent core of fruit, lively acids and a nicely defined finish. At maturity—which will demand a decade's patience, even if this can be approached sooner—this will be an especially sumptuous Clos des Ursules.

A lithe, well-defined red, exhibiting cherry, raspberry, earth and spice aromas and flavors. It's balanced and long, with the promise of more charm in 2-3 years. Best from 2024 through 2038. 350 cases imported.

Still owned by the Jadot family, (hence, Domaine des Héritiers Louis Jadot), this 2.8 hectare walled plot included within the 1er cru Vignes Franches, is Jadot’s flagship Beaune bottling. The 2018, to my mind, is one of the best Clos des Ursules Jadot has ever made - it is explosive, delivering both power and finesse, buttressed by freshness. Slightly exotic, with a chiseled refinement, it is very appealing now, but it has glorious development ahead of it. Barnier thinks the Côte de Beaune out did the Côte de Nuits in 2018, perhaps because, in general, they picked slightly earlier there. The energy of this 2018 Clos des Ursules supports that theory.

A tight, savory red with ripe strawberry, cherry and raspberry character. Some chocolate and hazelnut undertones. It’s full-bodied and layered with chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. White pepper just at the end. Better after 2022.