2020 Corton Le Clos du Roi Grand Cru La Vougeraie

100% whole bunch. Fairly deep purple, a certain amount of new wood showing. This starts very discreetly, especially the bouquet, then builds very well on the palate, with some darker fruit, middleweight, some tannins, but on the whole long and smooth.

Dynamically aromatic thanks in part to 100% whole cluster fermentation, this bold and forward nose smells of black cherries, lilac and a dash of balsamic. Integrated acidity livens up the palate and pulls the concentrated fruit flavors into a spicy, lingering finish.

The 2020 Corton Clos du Roi Grand Cru contains 100% whole bunch this year. I appreciate the aromatics here - well-defined, fragrant and quite floral, there offers fine mineralité and tension. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, very harmonious with a bead of acidity that lends finesse and elegant towads the finish. This is clever winemaking and a successful Corton. Excellent.

(100% whole clusters). An ultra-floral inflected nose speaks of spicy dark berry fruit aromas laced with hints of earth, game and again, a smoky hint. The sleek, intense and beautifully refined larger-scaled flavors possess a beguiling texture while exuding a bracing salinity on the firm, youthfully austere and well-balanced finale. This too needs better depth, but more should develop if it’s allowed at least 6 to 8 years of cellar time.