TN: 1989 Jadot Bonnes Mares

WINE TALK
1

never been real impressed w Jadot’s Bonnes Mares and this is no exception. From a beautiful bottle, the wine was reticent but opened some over the next two hours. Blue and red-fruited, the wine was a bit simple and needed more midpalate richness. Tannins are ripe and round, a bit obtrusive, and the wine finishes a bit short. Good, not great.
alan

2

How do you feel about their Griottes?

3

Sort of sounds consistent with my experiences with the '89 red vintage: simple, not great concentration, and short finishes. Not bad, but not something you wish you hadn’t missed.

4

This vintage currently seems much more interesting at village and 1er level, strangely.

5

I think the riper the vintage got…the less the acidity that preserved the finishes were. The concentration was never that great, so , in a way, it’s logical that the lower levels might have had more needed acidity.

This is a vintage, though, that got lost in my cellar. And, I mean, literally, I’ve never been able to locate most of my smallish pile of ‘89s. Not sure if I drank them or entered them wrong in my cellar inventory, but…I’'ve never been able to locate most of what I have…and still can’t.

6

Your comment re jadot BM unnerves me. Have bought consistently from 2001 and have only tried the 2001 a few years ago that was not surprisingly a bit tough and four square, but am hoping in a decade or so may yield some lovely drinks…perhaps not?
Appreciate the note.
Kent

7

Hi Kent, this is a link to a Musigny tasting, but the taster was fairly down on the Jadot’s overall. Not sure if the same logic applies to the BM as well?
http://www.aoweb.com/musig.html

Brodie

8

Certainly this writer has a different palate than I, thus question his comments regarding Jadot. In a recent Vogue tasting, the 93 Moose was light years better IMO, than the 90, which he raved about. I don’t necessarily dislike the 90, as many do, but clearly I feel the 93 is a superior wine. I’ve had the 90 Jadot Moose a couple of times recently, and again disagree with his assessment. I feel that it expresses it’s terroir beautifully. I admit that I am a Jadot fan, with particular fondness for the Clos St Jacques…a domaine wine from the old Claire-Dau property.

9

Never tasted the 89, but thought the 85 Jadot Bonnes Mares was beautiful . . .

10

Fwiw, I believe that Jadot’s land in Bonnes Mares came from their purchase of Domaine Clair-Daü (in 85, so you had wine from their first year of ownership Nick)…which were an excellent set of properties. But, Jadot’s wines generally can take quite a long time to come around…the same seems to apply to Bonnes Mares…so do you have to sit on Jadot Bonnes Mares forever to come around?

11

Thanks for the data point Alan.

12

People always seem to say that Jadot’s reds take a long time to come around and use this as a bit of an excuse (whilst most of us just say the whites come around way too fast).

Personally, I tend to believe that as a “general” rule, that if Burgs don’t really look good young, then they probably never will…

13

whilst most of us just say the whites come around way too fast).

[welldone.gif]

14

Overall tend to think of Jadot as a producer that consistently exceeds expectations, particularly on their top PC or GC reds (not to mention reasonable prices). Recall a few dinners where up front, did not expect the Jadot to show as well as others, then to realize quickly, it was one of the top wines!

Being very general, have to say the majority of 10+ year old Jadot wines I have tasted were nearly all showing their true character. Do not find their wines hard, and not the type you have to lay down a minimum of 20 years, but a leaning toward the approachable side with structure to age. Wish I could say something positive about the whites, too many disappointments.

15

In my experience, Jadot reds often show well blind to people who didn’t expect it. In other words, the Jadot name lacks the chachet of some small growers, but often delivers comparable quality. But we each have our stylistic preferences, so others find the Jadot style less satisfying, which can be said of any Burg producer IMO. I tend to prefer Jadot wines from riper vintages, including 1990, 1999, 2001, and 2005. I have not tasted any 2009’s, but would expect that vintage character to work well for Jadot.

16

I’ve greatly enjoyed half a dozen bottles of the 72 Bonnes Mares this year, obviously a negociant wine. It doesn’t quite touch greatness but is a wine which gives enormous pleasure with its integration, perfume and cut. I think it will develop even further from here.

17

Paul,

It’s funny how little experience you have on Jadot and yet you’re always down on them. Not sure where do you get that if Burgundy don’t taste well young then it never will? You see, Jadot’s reds never taste lush in their youth because around 65% of malic acid is retain and they ferment at very high temeratures, 3-4 weeks maceration, practices which very few Domaines in burgundy do now. This practices are very traditional and age proven but will not make wine that shows well in their youth.

18

Given that I have probably easily tried 80-100 bottles of Jadot reds over the years, I consider that a reasonable enough amount to make a valued judgement…

19

Paul,

I have no problem with you not liking Jadot because of their style but to say “People always seem to say that Jadot’s reds take a long time to come around and use this as a bit of an excuse” it’s a bit crazy. I had plenty of Jadots going back to 1940’s and they do come around and show beautifully. Last time my wife was in Burgundy she had 1911 Corton which showed very well. Do you remember what was the oldest Jadot you had or do you only taste them young.

20

I’d attribute Alan’s experience to my general feeling about 1989 reds a group - I’ve honestly never had one that was great …