2013 Benjamin Leroux, Clos de la Roche Grand Cru

The 2013 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru has black spicy fruit, a little metallic perhaps at this early juncture, that actually dissipates with aeration. The palate is succulent and plush in the mouth, quite an extravagant palate with thickly layered blackberry and boysenberry fruit and a touch of salinity on the finish. Excellent - this could be one of the most long-aging wines from Benjamin this year.

Deep red. Distinctly darker on the nose than the Clos Saint-Denis, offering piquant aromas of blackberry, violet, spices, menthol and crushed stone. Pure and sappy on the palate, offering terrific inner-mouth perfume and lift to the flavors of dark fruits, licorice, violet and rose. Delivers a compelling combination of density and cut. Really titillates the taste buds on the rising, very pure back end.