Pure Burgundy goodness from a tiny parcel in this rocky, clay, and limestone site (Clos de la Roche is named after a boulder used by the Celts for rituals), the 2019 Clos De La Roche Grand Cru offers a powerful, ripe, yet also an ethereal style that is just so compelling and satisfying. Pure red and black (and some blue) fruits, incense, orange blossom, and other exotic nuances all emerge on the nose, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a layered, velvety mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great, great finish. It's flat-out brilliant and I think a fair step up over the 2018. Give it a few years and enjoy bottles over the coming 20 years.

Cask sample. Really rather majestic on the nose. Lots of richness and drama. Slightly hot end. Big and bold within quite a marked corset. (JR)