Domaine Lecheneaut, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Premier Cru, Aux Argillas, Pinot Noir, 2020, 13% abv.
After the self-inflicted, disappointing Dry River whites and NZ batch, I felt a bit unsatisfied. We went to get another bottle for a dinner with pigs feet, Korean style. Decided on this Lecheneaut NSG Argillas… because it was an Argillas. It's bureaucratically an interesting place. On maps and at presentations, they sometimes spell it "Argillats" and show it near a village lieu-dit "Les Argillats"… and to sow even more confusion, some presenters point to a "Les Argillières" located on the opposite side in Premeaux (SE NSG). "Aux" is for the northern side, "Les" is for the southern side? Supposedly all of these are not "Aux Argillas". I blame Prieure Roch.
Nose: a bit closed, medium dark red and black fruit, hints of currants, berry compote, cooked plums, light vanillin from oak influences, hint of oil and tar, perhaps it's a form of smoke I am getting, light iron, nickel, tarry sands, but all in all not very strong on aromas.
Palate: medium body, entry is dark berry juice but quite light, mid palate shows a blend of iron and berry fruit, juice from old pomegranates, perhaps some light blood oranges, with hints of vanilla and overheated butterscotch, back palate has these magnified. Is this showing maturity where the mineral elements are taking over the fruit elements? Not as expressive as other NSG, definitely less expressive than PR's 2020 Argillas.
Finish: medium, again the blend of metals and slightly tart fruit but presented in a very soft manner, i.e. not intense, hints of vanillin here and there, some form of cooking spice which seems to masquerade as feint smoke.
Vernacular: light primary nose with some minerality, could be closed. Medium body, linear, light to medium acidity, light to medium minerality, hints of oak, but minimal tannins. Finish is medium, showing similar elements to the palate. Medium intensity in all phases.
Interestingly, Jancis Robinson gave this a 17/20 on a cask sample in 2022. Gave a drinking window of 2023-2032. Paid about ₩220K, or about USD$152, in Busan, South Korea for this.
Grade: B-
by starvinggigolo