Description
Domaine Arlaud, Morey-Saint-Denis, Premier Cru Aux Cheseaux
Domaine Arlaud was founded by Joseph Arlaud and his Burgundian wife, Renée Amiot, from parcels given to them as wedding gifts. Joseph extended the vineyards in 1949 then purchased the historic 14th-century ‘Grenier à Sel’ cellar in 1966 where he aged the estate’s wines. The Domaine was passed to his son, Hervé Arlaud, in 1982. Hervé’s son, Cyprien, has been involved in the family business since 1997 and is currently at the helm of the small family domaine. Cyprien is passionately dedicated to the delicate ecosystem of the vineyard. The estate is farmed organic and biodynamic, and the vineyards have been horse-ploughed since 2004, which aiding the soil’s compaction and erosion. The conscientious farming practices, coupled with the location and age of roughly 40-year-old vines, results in a wine of ample purity, distinct terroir, and immense concentration.
The 2018 “Aux Cheseaux” displays a dark, concentrated garnet red core with slight orange reflections on the rim. Dark floral aromatics are deepened by notes of slightly dried blackberry, black plum, and a touch of blueberry over rose petals, orange peel, a hint of leather, forest floor, and crushed rocks. Medium-plus in body, the palate delivers classic Morey-Saint-Denis finesse with a kiss of Gevrey’s classic structure that delineates into long, persistent flavors of florals and pristine fruit reminiscent of the nose. Although charming in its youth, this wine will astound with patience in the cellar and should hit an absolutely beautiful point around its 7th-10th birthday and beyond.
