2013 Clos Vougeot

Good medium red. Musky, slightly rustic nose shows more red than black fruits, with complicating notes of underbrush, herbs and pepper. Very rich, tactile, dry and backward, showing more minerality and medicinal reserve than primary berry or cherry fruit in the early going. Tough going today in spite of its depth of texture and richness. Not at all a sweet style. Vincent told me he prefers the easier sweetness of the 2014, noting that, in general, he regards the 2010 vintage as the best compromise between sweetness and energy since he took over winemaking here in 2006.

Already bottled. 20 hl/ha and 50% whole bunch. Pale crimson. Rather sappy and savoury on the nose – broad appeal. Certainly fully ripe – no sign of the characteristic high acid of 2013. Light (perhaps lighter than the average grand cru) but fresh, well balanced and very disarming. (JR)

(tasted from cuve ; 50% new oak; 75% vendange entier ; a blend of two parcels--0.3 hectare in the bottom middle section of the Clos and 1.2 hectares at the top, in front of the entrance to the castle): Healthy bright red. Musky aromas of dark cherry, wild herbs and smoky minerality. Concentrated and sweet, with pronounced soil tones to the strawberry and game flavors. Finishes juicy and very long, with building but fully ripe tannins. Since 2009 this cuvée has had a healthy level of acidity thanks to organic farming, noted Vincent. The estate's two parcels of Clos-Vougeot were blended just a week before my visit. Highly promising.