Jean-Paul
and Hervé Tijou, Château de Bellevue (1995)
Recently
retired Jean-Paul Tijou has passed the reigns to son Hervé. This 19th
century mansion came into the ownership of the Tijou family in 1894 and
has been the home to five generations. In total, they farm 32 hectares of
vines, including 8 hectares in Chaume. They have rented land in ‘La
Croix Picot’ since 1993.
Wine
Overview:
The
first vintage here was in 1995. The wines are all fermented in barriques
of between four and eight years old using indigenous yeasts. A weekly
batonnage increases richness and complexity and the wines can be expected
to be aged in wood for between nine and twelve months. Malolactic
fermentation takes place in some years, but is not systematic. Production
of La Croix Picot ranges from between 6,000 and 10,000 bottles.
The
Wines:
There
is no doubting that the land that the Tijou’s rent would instantly
qualify as Grand Cru should ever a system be ratified. With such a site
comes the responsibility to ensure that the wines at least equal their
potential. Whilst the wines are good, they don’t yet warrant Grand Cru
status. These are workable wines, slightly uneven and a tad rustic. They
need to be a little more consistent going forward.
2007
'La Croix Picot'
Open nose, although a little shallow and simple. Steely on the palate and
not very expressive. A little grubby also. One dimensional and lacks any
real interest. Dilute and a bit short on the finish. The juicy acidity
carries the wine. Ordinary. (02/10)
2005
‘La Croix Picot’
Polished.
Mid-depth. Youthful green hints. Still quite primary with aromas of pear.
No real evidence of wood. Attractive, green fruits to the nose. The palate
is delicate showing white fruits of peach and pear. This has yet to
evolve, but shows good balance and is persistent to the finish. Very good
potential, but needs time. (02/08)
2003
‘La Croix Picot’
Bright.
Very pale green/straw hints. Very light and delicate nose. Very fresh for
the vintage, with a faintly meaty (Pinot Gris) like nose. Quite light, dry
and austere. Builds well and eventually shows the character of the vintage
with something of a hot finish. Lacks acidity. Drink now as unlikely to
improve. (02/08)
2002
‘La Croix Picot’
Mid-pale.
Yellow/straw. Ripe nose. Delicate, but quite powerful behind. Shows
richness. Silky and well textured. Quince and greengage. Delicate and
complex. Lovely focus and palate weight. Rich but elegant. Very fresh with
good texture and a persistent mineral finish. The acidity carries the wine
a little, but this is still youthful and could be expected to age further.
(02/08)
2000
‘La Croix Picot’
Bright.
Mid-depth. Yellow/green. Open and floral nose. Broad and not very
expressive. Very good weight and structure to the palate. Stony and
mineral – more mineral than fruit – but good structure. Still
youthful. This is drinking well now and could be expected to age a little
further. (02/08)
1999
‘La Croix Picot’
Bright.
Mid-depth with some green hints. Attractive nose. Some maturity and faint
reduction. Delicate and complex on entry with some lactic elements (only
about 30% went through malolactic this vintage). More evidence of
reduction on the palate, but good structure and length. Good acidity to
finish and an attractive mineral edge. Drinking now. (02/08)
1998
‘La Croix Picot’
Bright.
Light and youthful yellow/straw appearance. Mid-depth nose. Some petrol.
Gentle, but quite closed. Camomile flavours. Broad, but not very intense.
Some reduction and as a result the wine hasn’t really evolved . Chalky
textured. A little phenolic. The wine is quite backward, although still
fresh. Drink now or hold, although I can’t see this coming out of its
shell. (02/08)
1997
‘La Croix Picot’
Polished.
Yellow/green with some gold. Ripe on the nose with evidence of botrytis
(although I am told this was a passillerage
year). Ripe and complex on the palate with very good texture. Fat and
powerful, with a hint of coconut. Well textured and broad to the finish.
Just lacks a little acidity. Needs drinking, but very good. (02/08)
1996
‘La Croix Picot’
Polished.
Deep appearance. Retains some green hints. Broad and floral nose with
faint marzipan. Greengage. More herbal. Rounded and evolved, but not
tired. Well focused with good structure and length. Very good acidity.
Linear and mineral. This is drinking well now and should hold a few years,
but unlikely to improve. (02/08)
1995
‘La Croix Picot’
Hervé
Tijou
St
Aubin-de-Luigne
T:
+33 2 41 78 33 11
F:
+33 2 41 78 67 84
chateaubellevuetijou@orange.fr
www.chateaubellevue.com