2019 Maison Louis Jadot, Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru

A cool and fresh Clos Vougeot, in spite of its considerable power and concentration. A ton of fine tannins give this major presence on the palate and support the bold and bright finish beautifully. Excellent aging potential. Drinkable now, but best from 2023.

The 2019 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru is very tight on the nose and needed more encouragement from the glass to reveal sultry black fruit mixed with melted tar and light sous-bois aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, quite "solid" in structure, and well defined, revealing a touch of blood orange on the finish. This is a finely crafted Clos de Vougeot that should age well over the next 20–25 years.

Muscular and powerful, the 2019 Clos Vougeot Grand Cru (Domaine Louis Jadot) opens in the glass with aromas of cherries, sweet berry fruit, raw cocoa, spices, rose petals and licorice. Full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with rich structuring tannins and lively acids, this is built for the long haul.

In contrast to the usual brooding nose this wine displays, it's surprisingly expressive, indeed even perfumed with its array of essence of red berries, earth and pretty floral suggestions. There is a lovely texture to the otherwise concentrated and powerful full-bodied flavors that also coat the palate with sappy dry extract that also helps partially buffer the very firm tannic spine shaping the austere, grippy and compact finale. This is clearly going to require time.

Cask sample. Glowing ruby. Some really savoury undertow keeps this interesting! Polished tannins and some stoniness. Lots of pinched tannins but that’s not a bad thing. Gives it interest and pace. Very different from most reds in the Jadot stable. Mineral not fruit. Not flattering but a success. Fine-boned. (JR)