The 2010 Clos de La Roche captures the essence of this site in its blue/blackish fruit, vibrant mineral notes, crushed rocks, mint and violets. Intense, aromatic overtones appear later, adding lift and finesse. This is a fabulous showing from Olivier Bernstein. A few years of cellaring will do the 2011 a world of good.

Bright, deep red-ruby. Musky, lightly reduced aromas of gunpowder, mocha, earth, chocolate and exotic flowers. At once delicate and substantial in the mouth, with terrific lift and strong saline minerality to the flavors of black raspberry, mocha and brown spices. The whiplash of a finish is subtle, pure and very long, showing terrific energy and a tactile, chewy impression of extract.

Extremely dark crimson/purple. Sinewy and correct – less sweet than some of his wines. Jewelly intensity and the sweetness has many a facet. Very flashy with quite a bit of gas still. I’m sure these would stand out in a blind tasting – very dramatic. But they dry out on the finish. (JR)