2012 Domaine du Clos de Tart Clos de Tart Grand Cru
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The 2012 Clos de Tart Grand Cru is definitely one of the finer contributions from winemaker Sylvain Pitiot during his reign. One parcel was picked on September 19, but the main picking was September 28 until October 1. The yield was a measly 14.3hl/ha, alcohol at 14.2°. It was also the first vintage entirely plowed by horse. It has a much fresher and more vital bouquet than the preceding vintage and appears to capture the essence of Pinot Noir with great aplomb. Raspberries, a punnet of freshly picked strawberries and a touch of pressed rose petals all join the wonderful, aromatic chorus line. The palate is very nicely structured, featuring crushed strawberry, raspberry preserve and light sour cherry notes. The tannins are finer here than in recent vintages – perhaps more in the style that Jacques Desvauges has created in recent years. Superb.
Critic scores
Neal Martin
Allen Meadows, Burghound
More reviews and scores
A deep, dense wine, the 2012 Clos de Tart presents an incredibly appealing personality, although it is going to need quite a bit of time to shed some of its considerable youthful exuberance. Cherry jam, plum, dark spices, menthol and new leather flesh out in a wine of substantial depth and pure intensity. The 2012 is going to require considerable time to fully come together, but it is hugely appealing and totally sexy, even at this early stage.
Bright dark red. Very ripe aromas of musky cherry, smoked meat, chocolate and woodsmoke. Hugely rich and voluminous, conveying a youthful aggressiveness to its thick, saline flavors of dark berries, brown spices and licorice. This wine does not have quite the floral lift of the 2013 and will need more time in bottle to absorb some of its baby fat. The tannins are wonderfully supple for such a big wine, but this vintage of Clos de Tart is hiding more than it's revealing today.