2005 BEAUNE, Clos des Ursules, Louis Jadot. Burgundy

From the Jabot website:

“The Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Ursules is a walled in portion of the Beaune 1er Cru Vignes Franches. It was purchased in 1826 by Louis Henry Denis Jadot and has remained a solely owned property of the Jadot family.”

Clos des Ursules Premier Cru is one of the finest and most important Beaune cuvées in the whole of the Louis Jadot range. It was the very first vineyard purchased by Louis Henry Jadot in 1826 prior to the formation of the present company in 1859. This walled “monopole” lies within the Premier Cru vineyard of Les Vignes Franches, next to the Clos des Mouches Premier Cru, towards the Pommard border.

2005 was an amazing vintage for red Burgundy and all the early hype has been justified in how the wines have evolved and developed over the last 18 years. For many, 2005 is simply the greatest of all modern red Burgundy vintages, but it has become increasingly rare to find – so this is a wonderful opportunity to taste a mature example from a top Premier Cru site. Made by the legendary Jacque Lardière, who was winemaker at Jadot for no less than 40 vintages, it has evolved into a silky and savoury example of fine mature red Burgundy with lovely texture and density but also elegance.

Vignes Franches is next to the renowned Clos des Mouches, on the western edge of the Beaune village appellation, close to Pommard. The style is classic Beaune – gentle and round – but as is typical of Jadet, there is plenty of ‘structure’ and backbone.

Looking at current Burgundy prices, this looks an absolute bargain.

No need to decant and please do serve and swirl in large bowl-shaped red Burgundy glasses to get the most pleasure out of this wine.