Domaine Dujac
Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru 'Aux Malconsorts'
Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru 'Malconsorts', France
2018
Vintage
Varietal
Pinot Noir
ABV
Where it is, June 2026
Approaching Peak: drinkable, but best years are ahead.
In 2026, the 2018 Dujac Vosne-Romanee Aux Malconsorts is two years into its drinking window and approaching the early plateau - more accessible than the 2022, less complete than it will be in 2029. The 2018's opulence gives this pre-peak window unusual pleasure: the fruit is generous and forward, the tannins plush rather than aggressive, and the whole-cluster complexity has begun integrating with secondary earth and spice notes. Drinking now is rewarding with proper decanting, but three more years of patience will reveal a more coherent and structured wine. The peak runs from 2029 through 2045 - there is no urgency, but no reason to avoid opening a bottle when the occasion calls.
Related vintages
- 2015Très Vieilles Vignes Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru
Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru, France · Peak 2027-2044
- 2015Hommage à Jean Morin Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru
Clos Vougeot Grand Cru, France · Peak 2028-2043
- 2015Chambertin Clos de Bèze Grand Cru
Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru, France · Peak 2035-2040
- 2005Les Amoureuses Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru
Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses, Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France · Peak 2018-2032
- 2020Richebourg
Richebourg Grand Cru, France · Peak 2030-2048
The ‘18 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru 'Aux Malconsorts'.
A richly textured, opulent 2018 Dujac Malconsorts: in its drinking window since 2024 and building toward peak complexity from 2029 through 2045.
Drinking window
Tasting note
The 2018 Dujac Malconsorts shows the vintage's generous character in a flattering way: the nose is dense and opulent, leading with ripe dark plum, Morello cherry, dried flowers, whole-cluster incense and spice, and a plummy depth that pushes deeper into the glass with air. On the palate the texture is the most notable feature - round and lush, with a silkiness that Malconsorts rarely shows this early in its evolution. The tannins are plush and present without being obtrusive, the acidity underneath carrying precision that prevents the wine from tipping toward excess. The finish shows iron and mineral depth that is the hallmark of this Vosne hillside, with real persistence. An impressive and hedonistic expression of this premier cru.
The 2018 vintage
The 2018 Cote de Nuits was shaped by a wet winter followed by a dry, warm, and even-keeled growing season - Wine Spectator awarded Vosne-Romanee premier crus a 93 (Outstanding) and described the wines as 'big, dense, fleshy and fruity reds, with youthful appeal.' The season's warmth was consistent without the sudden crushing heat spikes that can strip freshness: the winter moisture reserves carried the vines through summer with their balance intact. At Malconsorts, the site's well-drained limestone soils moderated the vintage's ripeness, producing fruit of genuine concentration without the jammy register some 2018 Burgundies exhibit at lower elevations.
About Domaine Dujac
Domaine Dujac, rooted in Morey-Saint-Denis since 1968, applies its signature vinification across a portfolio spanning village, premier cru, and grand cru appellations throughout the Cote de Nuits. Whole-cluster fermentation with stems gives Dujac wines a distinctive spicy, stem-tannin aromatic quality absent in most other domaines. The cellar approach is non-interventionist: no fining, no filtration, and minimal sulfur. At Malconsorts, the domain works a parcel at the upper hillside adjacent to the La Tache boundary, where iron-rich limestone soils produce concentrated, mineral wines with exceptional aging potential.
From the cellar: pair with
Roasted squab with black truffle sauce
The 2018's plush tannins and generous dark fruit complement the squab's gaminess while the whole-cluster spice echoes the truffle's earthiness.
Duck confit with lentils
The wine's round mid-palate and structured acidity cut through duck confit's richness, and the dark plum character bridges the duck and lentil elements beautifully.
Aged Epoisses or Munster
The wine's generous fruit and round tannins pair naturally with washed-rind intensity, balancing the pungency without being overwhelmed by it.
Service & cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 60-64F (16-18C)
- Decanting
- In 2026, decant 2 hours before service. The 2018's plush tannins and generous fruit open well with air. After 2029, 90 minutes will suffice. Do not over-decant past 3 hours - the 2018's natural freshness can dissipate with excessive aeration.
- Cellar Storage
- 55F (13C), 60-70% humidity, horizontal storage away from light and vibration.
The drinking window on this bottle is calculated with the Cellared Ageability Index (CAI) v1.0, a 10-factor model. Try the free drinking window calculator on any wine, or read when to drink wine for the practical signals.
More from Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru 'Malconsorts', France
Frequently Asked
When should I drink the 2018 Dujac Malconsorts?
The drinking window opened in 2024 and runs to 2050, with peak expected from 2029 through 2045. In 2026, you are two years in - the wine is accessible and rewarding with decanting, though holding until 2029 will reveal more structure and complexity. There is no urgency, but no reason to avoid it either.
How long should I decant the 2018?
In 2026, decant for 2 hours before service to open the generous fruit and allow the whole-cluster spice to integrate. After 2029, 90 minutes should suffice. The wine's plush tannins soften quickly with air - do not over-decant past 3 hours, which can strip the freshness and mineral precision.
What foods work best with this wine?
The 2018's lush texture and dark fruit character suit richer preparations than lighter Malconsorts vintages. Roasted squab, duck confit, cassoulet, and aged pungent cheeses all work well. The wine's plush tannins and round acidity also make it a strong match for simply roasted lamb or veal.
How should I store the 2018 Malconsorts?
Store at 55F (13C), 60-70% humidity, horizontally in the dark. The wine's generous fruit and tannin structure give it resilience, but temperature stability is essential. Do not store above 65F for extended periods. The 2018 can cellar comfortably through 2050 with no concern about premature decline.
How does the 2018 compare to other Dujac Malconsorts vintages?
The 2018 is the most opulent and immediately accessible of the recent Dujac Malconsorts - richer and rounder than the tensile 2013 and the lighter 2011, though not as structured as the powerful 2005. It offers earlier drinking pleasure than the 2022, which will not open before 2030.