2005 Beaune Clos des Ursules

The Jadot family’s flagship Beaune from the south of the appellation on alluvial clay-loam fans in the Vignes Franches zone. More than half the vines were planted mid 1950s while the rest were planted mid 1970s. All destemmed and aged in one-third new oak. Mid rust colour. Pale rim. Quite fade , as the French would say, on the nose. Sort of faded and lacking freshness. Certainly very mellow… but as though some of the flavour had been boiled out. A bit of astringency on the finish. Sweetness but not quite enough purity and energy. (JR)

Good deep, bright red. Very ripe but vibrant aromas of dark raspberry, brown spices and mocha, complemented by an earthy element. Sweet and lush but with the firm minerality, juicy acidity and tannic spine for a slow evolution in bottle. For all its ripeness and palate presence, this communicates an almost magically light touch.

A hint of decay on the nose (I heard these samples were taken quite a time before the tasting) but lots of substance and still a little oak influence. Grating texture and the firm suggestion that this is a very ambitious wine. Dry finish and some true, juicy fruit. (JR)