The 2019 Clos Vougeot Grand Cru employs quite a lot of new oak on the nose, but it seems simpatico with the dark berry fruit and the underlying mineralité that reveals itself with aeration. The palate is slightly candied on the entry, dense and more modern/oakier in style vis-à-vis its peers, and there is some VA that is marring the finish. It's a Clos Vougeot that needs to "calm down". This was magnificent from barrel, but in bottle, I have a couple of question marks. Tasted blind at the Burgfest tasting.

From the bottom of the Clos. Cask sample. While this has the hallmark Grivot ripeness, it is also fresher on the nose. Black-fruited and concentrated and yet with a much more savoury, dark finesse. Firm, dense and textured with an immense power and length. Not quintessential burgundy, perhaps, but a great wine. (JH)