Monthelie 1er Cru les Duresses 2017 Domaine Garaudet

Formidably intense and almost saturated Pinot fruit combining dark chocolate and black cherry fruit with a lush, silky finish and beautifully integrated, fine-grained tannins. The 1er Cru les Duresses reds always have a greater depth and dimension than the simple village wines. Paul's attention to details has once again resulted in a superb expression of power balanced by silkiness of fruit. The tannins are there but there are relatively soft being balanced by the pure and elegant black-cherry fruitiness. More expensive than the village wine but richer and with greater dimension so worth it in every respect. Drink 2020 or beyond. abv 13.0%.

Paul Garaudet grumbles a lot and is probably our most archetypal Burgundy grower but he is, without doubt, one of our most accomplished wine-makers and, unusually, is first-class at making both red and white wines. Paul had to learn the hard way as he took over this important 15-hectare domaine following the sudden death of his father when he was only eighteen. Now in his late-forties, he has carved out a reputation for himself as one of the finest red growers in the village of Monthelie, a sleepy village in a valley just to the west of Meursault. Affectionately know as 'Le Grand Paul' by CPW his commitment to producing the very best from his vineyards is second to none.