2013 Domaine d'Eugenie, Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru

Bright medium ruby. Discreet, aristocratic nose hints at black cherry, licorice and violet; really communicates an impression of cold terroir. Densely packed, sweet and thick on the attack, then powerful and rather strict in the middle, with firm acidity giving shape and tension to the dark fruit and bitter chocolate flavors. Finishes vibrant, salty and very long, with the solid tannins hitting the palate late. Inexpressive today but should enjoy a very graceful and long evolution in bottle.

The 2013 Clos Vougeot Grand Cru has a complex nose: black fruit, a touch of shucked oyster shell and a hint of Chinese hoisin. There is certainly impressive delineation here. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit but a little more “gourmand” than the Echezeaux with palpable salinity on the edgy, structured finish. This constitutes a more masculine Clos de Vougeot that will require 4-6 years in bottle.