Tasting Notes
Vinous 90
(bottled in February of this year; all of the other ’13s were bottled in November or December of ’14): Healthy pale yellow. Aromas of lime, mandarin orange and musky white flowers. Plush and spicy, showing good concentration and decent acid cut to the pear and mineral flavors. I wanted a bit more energy for Corton-Charlemagne. Javillier’s vines face south and he lost just 20% of his crop to hail in 2013.
Anticipated maturity: 2020-2027
Robert Parker 92-94
The 2013 Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru, which comes from a small parcel in Pougets just below the large trees and sees no new wood, has a delineated bouquet with clear honey and lemon curd scents, the mineral/stony notes lying in wait just behind. The palate is crisp and poised on the entry. The acidity is wonderfully judged and lends real tension to this Corton Charlemagne, while there is a convincing level of energy on the finish. This may actually just pip the 2012 past the post. Patrick Javillier is one of Meursault’s most consistent winemakers, also one who usually offers some of its best budget wines. “C’est un classique de mon époque,” he enthused as we began tasting from barrels. He was also candid in opining that it is a good vintage rather than an exceptional one. “It is a little inferior except for [Meursault] les Clousots, Puligny-Montrachet and Tête de Murgers which is more the style of the 2012,” he continued. “The grapes were riper than I had expected. We began the picking on 24 September but I had to get the harvesters in a week earlier because of the evolution of the grapes, especially vineyards like Clos du Cromin that ripened very well. There were differences in the rate of ripening between different terroirs, but I wanted to harvest earlier to maintain the purity of aromas.” The result is a commendable selection of 2013s from Javillier than might not possess the consistency of his superb 2012s, yet are not without highlights. I still feel that there could be some improvement with the reds that feel a little rustic and just lack the breeding of the whites. However, as ever Patrick offers some outstanding value at the “bottom” of his range: a riposte to those that claim Burgundy has become unaffordable. Yes, a lot has, but you just have to look a little harder these days.
Anticipated maturity: 2015-2026
