2018 Corton Le Clos du Roi Grand Cru La Vougeraie

65% whole bunch has imparted its special character to the nose, alongside an otherwise quite dark fruit. Medium depth of purple colour, this is a classy and graceful Corton with the fruit and the whole bunch effect very well interwoven, leading to a long finish on the fruit more than the stems. Tasted: November 2019

Aromas of cherries, raspberries, spices and rose petals introduce the 2018 Corton Clos du Roi Grand Cru, a medium to full-bodied wine that's ample and satiny, its fleshy core of fruit underpinned by elegantly fine-boned tannins and lively acids, concluding with a long and perfumed finish. This is one of the highlights of the Vougeraie portfolio this year.

The 2018 Corton Clos du Roi Grand Cru contains 65% whole-bunch fruit. The well-defined nose features brambly black fruit, crushed stone/powdered gravel and light tobacco scents. The medium-bodied palate is linear, precise and elegant, delivering fine- grained tannins with moderate grip and a slightly conservative finish. I suspect this will ultimately turn out to be a well-crafted yet early- drinking Corton.

Expressive and bursting with ripe, almost decaying cherry, floral, woodsy and spice flavors, this red is firm, verging on racy and long. Licorice and toasty oak spice catch up to the lingering, slightly chewy finish. Best from 2024 through 2045.