2013 Camille Giroud, Corton Grand Cru, Le Clos du Roi

The 2013 Corton Clos du Roi comes across as quite big, virile and imposing, all qualities that suggest it is going to need quite a bit of time to fully come together. Spice, menthol and licorice add nuance, but the tannins remain imposing. Still, there is plenty to look forward to. The 2013 started its life in two barrels, one new the other neutral. After seeing the early evolution of the wine, Croix moved the wine in the new barrel into an older barrel. Traces of new oak remain at this stage, but it is early for a wine that is clearly built for the cellar.

The 2013 Corton Clos de Roi Grand Cru has a perfumed, quite floral bouquet with black cherries, briary and forest-floor scents gently unfolding in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied and showing a little bit of new oak at the moment, although that will be assimilated by the time of bottling. There is good substance here, the acidity nicely judged and the primal finish has good persistence in the mouth. This will be worth checking out once in bottle.