1985 Domaine du Clos de Tart Clos de Tart Grand Cru
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Tasting notes
The 1985 Clos de Tart Grand Cru might appear mature, but it represents the high point of the decade and has in fact evolved well in bottle. The elegant, well-defined bouquet is beguilingly pure, offering cranberry, red cherries, light earthiness and pressed flowers. It comes as a relief following the 1986. The slightly ferrous palate is beautifully balanced with fine tannins, a silver bead of acidity and a pretty, piquant finish that finishes the whole thing off in style. This is a beautiful Clos de Tart that shows other vintages how they should have aged in bottle. Tasted at the Clos de Tart vertical at Ten Trinity in London.
Critic scores
Neal Martin
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Bright healthy ruby. Very rich, intense nose. Rich, spicy fruit with some balsamic notes. Floral notes too, with firm tannins but no shortage of impressive fruit still. (JR)
Preceding the era and rejuvenation under Sylvain Pitiot, the 1985 Clos de Tart has always been one of the best vintages from the era. It has an unexpectedly youthful bouquet that is not complex vis-a-vis recent vintages, but contains vivacious red currant and raspberry fruit undiminished by the passing years, tinged with iodine and violet. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, quite sturdy tannins that lend this an atypically masculine personality for a 1985. This is unapologetically “old-school” Burgundy – there is nothing wrong with that, and I can imagine it cruising for another decade at least. Drink now-2020+. Tasted November 2013.
Quite dark mid ruby, and very bright. Very sweet but lovely balance and freshness. Perhaps not absolutely obviously a grand cru in terms of weight but a great red burgundy at the peak of its powers. Great vivacity and energy. (JR)