2013 Domaine Jacques Prieur, Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru

Healthy deep red. Red cherry and menthol aromas are lifted by a floral quality. Densely packed, sappy and saline, boasting lovely intensity to the flavors of red cherry, raspberry and red licorice. At once savory and packed with fresh fruit, this sexy Clos Vougeot finishes with ripe, building tannins and excellent rising length.

Tasted blind at Fine & Rare Wines' Clos Vougeot tasting, the 2013 Clos Vougeot Grand Cru from Jacques Prieur has a nicely defined bouquet, the oak neatly embroidered into the raspberry and wild strawberry fruit, even a faint scent of lavender poking its head up after a few minutes. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chewy tannin on the entry. But it feels balanced and edgy towards the finish, with a tang of spice lingering on the aftertaste. Fine.

Tasted blind. Dark blueish crimson. Light rather than intense with quite edgy acidity. I find this just a bit too brutal – tannins trump fruit. Tough finish. (JR)