Domaine Jacob Les Avaux 2006 Tasting Notes

Beaune Premier Cru Les Avaux 2003

This year our exclusive Beaune 1er cru Les Avaux comes from the amazing 2003 vintage. The year got off to an inauspicious start with hail and frost decimating the crop, and as the summer progressed the temperature climbed inexorably. The hottest summer in living memory led to the earliest harvest on record, and the fruit came in super-ripe with high sugar levels and supple, ripe tannins.  This is an atypical vintage, which is made for early drinking but will also gain in complexity over the next few years.  The conditions really were unique, and consequently this is a vintage that will be talked about for years to come.

Jean-Michel Jacob’s reputation is growing by the day and his domaine is fast attaining cult status. His wines have won accolades from all quarters, and our Les Avaux 2003 won a Silver Medal at last year’s International Wine Challenge.  The judges described it as “a veritable basketful of young red cherries.  Kirsch-like in its richness”.

The wine has an exceptionally deep colour and powerful black-cherry aromas.  The dark fruit continues onto the palate, where it is coupled with hints of undergrowth and cedar-wood spiciness, and the feel in the mouth is smooth and supple with velvety-rich tannins.  This is a vintage of unsurpassed ripeness, resulting in wines that have sufficient fruit to satisfy those who want something to drink young, but will also continue improving with a moderate amount of bottle ageing.