2012 Clos Vougeot

Good medium red. Reticent aroma of black cherry and menthol. Juicy, herbal and on the dry side; quite backward and savory. Most impressive today on the back end, which shows suave, broad tannins and lovely subtle lingering fruit. Long on potential but youthfully clenched at present. Faiveley owns one parcel at the top of the Clos and two at the bottom. Fruit from the less-good of the two bottom pieces was previously sold off but these vines now produce a lower crop level and more concentrated fruit as Faiveley went to cordon royat pruning here several years ago.

This isn't quite as spicy as the Ech but it's just as fresh with a brooding and highly complex nose of pungently earthy dark berry fruit and lightly floral-inflected scents. While this is concentrated and serious the supporting tannins shaping the moderately big-bodied flavors are relatively fine-grained. There is a real sense of focus and controlled power that allows this to retain a lovely sense of balance and harmony on the beautifully long finish. Note that like several of the wines in the range, this is expressly intended to age and it will need it. (92-94)