The 2015 iteration of this was fantastic so I was happy to be able to buy some bottles of this vintage. It seems like a fruitier vintage but I can’t say I’m not happy with it. The evaporation rate is very high here, almost too high for midweek drinking.
2019 Alain Hudelot-Noëllat Bourgogne - France, Burgundy, Bourgogne (22.11.2022)
The nose is quite ripe and dark fruited with some meaty and earthy notes. On the palate it is very approachable with fairly rich mouthfeel, ripe tannins and full, long finish. Fruit-forward for sure, there is no sous bois to be found here, but with something serious about its character. Despite its richness it is not heavy but rather vibrant and actually drinks very, very well. It is on the savory side and has good intensity. Very 2019 although fortunately without the high alcohol of some contemporaries. Not super complex, likely to improve, but very enjoyable as it is.
Interesting tidbit, useful for sure as I’m not into 14%+ Burgundy. As for the quality I have enjoyed this year De Montille’s 2014 and Georges Noellat’s 2017 more but they did have the advantage of age so not a fair game.
@MChang This sounds like HN BR gets better every year. I thought that 2017 was amazing, but 2018 was pretty outstanding. To hear that 2020 is better than 2019 is incredible.
Jasper Morris on 2020 HN BR:
“Rich deep purple, with a very perfumed, ultra raspberry bouquet – very attractive but quite extreme. On the palate the flavours are perhaps a little bit too rich, Christmas cake character, hyper concentrated for Burgundy. Tasted: November 2021.”
If it was a bit more, sure, but unfortunately the Chambolle costs almost triple what I paid for the BR I was still thinking about it but forum’s own Melvin Yeo posted such a worrisome note of the 2019 that it felt like an easy pass.
That figures. The 2019 BR was still affordable here but the 2020 has recently been listed and the price is up by 20%, making the proposition somewhat less attractive.
2019 vintage was so hyped that the lower end 2020 HNs have been cheaper here initially than 2019. Now that the 2019 supply mostly dried up, 2020 are increasing in price. I wouldn’t be surprised if after 2021 we will see massive price increases.
Re: 2020 - the most recent offers for HN Suchots, Beaumonts and CdV have all been over $300 (over $400 for Suchots). Crazy.
I loved the 19’ Bourgogne and didn’t find it too hot, fruit forward and concentrated yes, I definitely think it ranks with the best bourgognes out there every year. As far as pricing for 2020 it really encourages me to back fill since I’m not the youngest kid on the block and need a jump as far as aging.
TN 2019 Alain Hudelot-Noëllat Bourgogne Nov 30, 2022
Typical HN nose upon the opening. Dark, inky color. Probably the darkest HN BR color I’ve ever seen. The first sips are dark/black fruited and bitter. Better acidity than 2018 had at the same age. Serious structure for a BR. I like it more than I did 2018 at the same stage of development. 30 minutes later there is a lovely addition of darjeeling tea, plums and ripe cherries to the palate. Bitterness largely went away. Medium/Long finish. Very impressive for a BR. Excited for its future.
I was still thinking about it but forum’s own Melvin Yeo posted such a worrisome note of the 2019 that it felt like an easy pass.