The 2002 Vintage of Sylvain Cathiard’s Vosne Romanee Premier Cru Reignots is rare and exceptional. This pure and precise expression of Pinot Noir is seriously good.
THE DOMAINE
Sylvain Cathiard trained across the world; in New Zealand, Chablis, and Bordeaux. He then took over his grandfather’s domain, which is when the business truly starting flourishing in the 1990s. He made various changes in the winery, such as using less new oak, building a modern cellar, and increasing their land holdings into parts of Gevrey-Chambertin and the Hautes-Cotes de Nuits.
The Cathiard’s now have 5.5 hectares of vineyards. Across all of these, the vines are looked after meticulously with the fruit being sorted and destalked by hand. After fermentation, the wines go into barrel, with 50% new oak for village wines, and 100% for Premier Cru. In their youth, the wines have an exceptional energy and purity of fruit.
Domaine Sylvain Cathiard have built a reputation as one of Vosne-Romanee’s most sought-after producers. With Neal Martin giving his seal of approval:
“Do I need to tell you how much I adore Sylvain Cathiard’s wines? This is a seriously good quality producer of Vosne-Romanee, one whose star is in the ascendant. These are gloriously silky smooth, complex wines; not just with the top Premier Crus but down to the generic Burgundy. It’s the intensity and focus that set Cathiard apart, wines with supreme definition and purity that seduce the palate like a beautiful courtesan. I would love to taste his Grand Crus, but they are incredibly rare and sought-after. This producer comes highly recommended from top to bottom”
THE TERROIR
This 2002 Vintage was only the 4th Vintage from this 0.24 hectare parcel of young vines. Surprisingly, for such young vines, this is incredibly complex and seductive, yet serious. The plot is situated in Aux Reignots, a Premier Cru climat on the Cote d’Or, in the highly regarded Vosne-Romanee appellation. This vineyard is located at 315 metres above sea level, one of Vosne-Romanee’s highest plots. It has a slightly cooler mesoclimate, and thinner soils give the wines a rusticity which is not seen in many of the commune’s finest wines. An easterly aspect gives these vines on the hillside a good exposure to sunlight from early morning through to late afternoon. This is tempered by cooler evenings felt at these slightly high altitudes. It gives a diurnal temperature variation which ensures retention of acidity in the grapes.
THE VINTAGE
2002 was an outstanding vintage, and a firm favourite of Burgundy professionals. The reds are pure and precise, and truly best show the terroir. It is a year that gives real pleasure. And it is now ready to enjoy. A warm February got the season off to an early start and fortunately there was no late frost to cause damage. First impressions showed it was a particularly stylish vintage, with a real purity of fruit. This certainly sets the 2002s apart from more muscular years. With ageing, these wines have definitely put on weight and depth. Now giving considerable pleasure, they are absolutely lovely in their lighter style.
This wine has a certain austerity, which has surely turned to velvet overtime. It is quintessentially charming, and incredibly complex. Tannins have faded, leaving refreshing but light acidity and lovely richness on the palate. With strong cherry flavours, and abundant Vosne spice, it makes for an enticing glass.
This case of 12x75cl, is available as part of our margin scheme, so there is no VAT to pay. It is an exceptional, and rare case available at £8.625.00.
Link to purchase: /https://nickollsandperks.com/p/2002-domaine-sylvain-cathiard-vosne-romanee-premier-cru-reignots-21038607612211956546/