2012 Beaune Clos des Ursules

Medium red. Aromas of red cherry, raspberry, licorice, menthol and spices, plus an element of medicinal herbs that emerged with air. Juicy, bright and nicely delineated, with youthfully clenched black cherry fruit complicated by herbs and menthol. No shortage of power here. The substantial dusty tannins call for several years of aging.

Good saturated dark red. Aromas of cherry and redcurrant liqueur are perked up by stony minerality. Then surprisingly dry and backward but with good intensity and depth to its red fruit flavors. Finishes with big, dusty, serious tannins and a ripe note of roasted herbs. I may be underrating this.

The 2012 Beaune Clos des Ursules is the most lifted and refined of the Beaune 1er Crus from Jadot. Sweet raspberries, tobacco, freshly cut flowers, mint and cinnamon meld together gracefully in the glass. The Ursules is distinguished from the other Beaunes by its silky tannins and fabulous length. There is plenty of richness in the glass, but without the excess weight or extraction found in some of the other wines.