Domaine de l'Arlot Cotes de Nuits Villages Clos du Chapeau 2021

This wine comes from another monopole, a single 1.6-hectare site in Comblanchien called Clos du Chapeau. With Corgoloin, this southern part of the Cote de Nuits is on the rise, thanks to growers like Thiriet and the soon-to-retire Didier Fornerol. So, although this is a wine that has typically flown under the radar, smart buyers are now snapping it up. Clos du Chapeau is a hat-shaped plot (hence the name) where the soil has plenty of limestone gravel eroded from the hills above. The vines were planted between 1987 and 1991. Roughly one-third of the fruit was fermented as whole bunches. As always, a great-value wine full of floral, bright, sweet, juicy fruit. In the context of today’s Burgundy pricing, the word “bargain” does not do this wine justice. Those looking for quality Burgundy at more-than-fair pricing should not hesitate.  Producer Note

“Broader, equally deep aromas – despite reduction being less visible here – adding some floral accents too. More direct, sleek wine – fine texture, long and creamy finishing – a great finish. Simply an excellent wine, potentially a great villages as this finish just holds and holds.” Bill Nanson, Burgundy Report

“This monopole is in Comblanchien on the far side of the Route Nationale. In 2021 it produced a surprisingly deeply-coloured wine with a ripe, plummy fruit that opens up on the palate with slightly rustic depth but lovely, sweet fruit. The grapes are partially destemmed and gently fermented before ageing in primarily used casks. This wine is perfect for current drinking.” 92 points, Charles Curtis MW, Decanter