2008 Clos Vougeot
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Tasting notes
The 2008 Clos de Vougeot possesses notable energy and power, even if today it is quite reticent. The 2008 is a muscular, cool Clos de Vougeot laced with dark fruit. From time to time the wine’s inner perfume emerges, hinting at what awaits those who are disciplined enough to bury this wine in the deepest corner of the cellar. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2033. This is a gorgeous set of wines from Etienne and Marielle Grivot that captures the essence of several of Vosne’s most illustrious vineyards. Grivot encourages slow malos and leaves the wines on the lees for approximately 15 months after the vinification. New oak ranges from 15-20% for the villages, 30-50% for the 1ers and 40-70% for the grands crus. Based on the wines I tasted 2009 looks like a much more consistent vintage than 2008. The finest 2008s are also well worth considering, but there are more highs and lows, especially in the entry part of the range. Importer: Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines, Napa CA; tel. (707) 299-2600
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Good bright full red. Explosive aromas of flowers, minerals, smoky oak and underbrush. Tight and youthfully imploded in the mouth, and a bit hardened by the gas. This peppery, savory wine shows no easy sweetness today and finishes a bit disjointed, with somewhat tough tannins. Will this blossom with seven or eight years of cellaring?
A discreet touch of wood frames strikingly complex, ripe, fresh and quite densely fruited earth suffused red Pinot aromas that lead to rich, full-bodied and textured flavors that exude an overt muscularity on the equally explosive finish where the integrated tannins confer a dusty mouth feel to the moderately austere finale. This is an extremely impressive effort but note that even more patience will be required.
Bright crimson. Sweet and nutty on the nose. Fragrant. A hint of cinnamon. Real delicacy too in terms of build although there is still some pretty fierce oak tannin on the finish. I wonder whether everything will finally come into balance? (JR)
About the producer
A benchmark name in Vosne-Romanée, Domaine Jean Grivot is one of Burgundy’s most respected estates. They have an impressive array of vineyards, including plots in Grand Cru Clos de Vougeot, Echezeaux and Richebourg.