2021 Domaine Arlaud, Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Cru, Les Ruchots

For reports and full tasting notes, go toTim Atkin MW's website.

From a parcel below the Clos de Tart, the 2021 Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Les Ruchots is one of the highlights of the Arlaud portfolio. Exhibiting notes of sweet red berries, licorice, potpourri, spices and baking chocolate, it's medium to full-bodied, with good depth at the core, lively acids and powdery tannins, concluding with a sapid finish.

The 2021 Morey-Saint-Denis Les Ruchots 1er Cru has some whole cluster influence on the nose, with stems intertwining with dark berry fruit and hints of Lapsang Souchong. It coheres nicely with aeration, though there is an animal touch, perhaps a little Brettanomyces. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, quite linear and focused, pure black cherry and raspberry fruit laced with sous-bois and black tea. It is just the finish that lacks the precision of a really top Morey-Saint-Denis, but perhaps that will manifest with time. Tasted blind at the Burgfest tasting.