The 2012 Clos de Tart is shaping up to be magnificent. An exotic mélange of black cherries, smoke, cloves and dark spices wraps around the palate in a rich, voluptuous wine backed up by plenty of tannin. All the elements meld together with notable grace. The 2012 is a big, muscular Clos de Tart that is going to require considerable patience, but it is full of promise.

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.

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.

A deep, clear red in colour.  Softly focused yet very attractive aromas in which classic raspberry fruits mingle with more autumnal scents of bramble banks and rosehips; concentrated, fine, fresh flavours which gradually grow tighter as the palate unfolds to the point that the finish is almost sinewy.  Pomegranate creeps into the fruit mix; the tannins are slightly softer in texture than those of 2013 or 2014.  Delicious and complete.