2020 Maison Louis Jadot, Beaune Premier Cru, Celebration Cuvee 161st Anniversary

There are some 3,500 cases of the 2020 Beaune 1er Cru Célébration (Maison Louis Jadot), a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and seamless wine evocative of smoky berries, spices and licorice, framed by creamy new oak. More polished and elegant than the muscular 2018, the last rendition of this bottling (which blends more than a dozen of Beaune's premiers crus), it will offer a broad drinking window.

The 2020 Beaune Celebration 1er Cru was blended last June and is still aging in tank. It's a mix of 15 or 16 Premier Crus, both Domaine and non-Domaine, and is due to be bottled next January. The potent bouquet showcases blackberry, raspberry and iodine scents, with hints of cold tea and damp loam. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins. The 2020 is fleshy and ripe with gentle grip. Raspberry mixes with orange rind and pain d'épices towards the finish. This should be highly enjoyable when released next year. 3,500 cases produced