2019 Marchand-Tawse, Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru

The 2019 Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru includes 25% whole bunch and 100% new oak. It has a tightly wound bouquet that opens in the glass to offer blackberry, briar, white pepper and crushed rock aromas, all displaying fine precision. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins and, again, quite peppery, but with superb structure and a very persistent, classy finish. One of the finest Clos Saint-Denis you will find in 2019.

25% whole bunch, 100% new oak. Made from the same source since 2006 in the original Clos St-Denis sub-climat. Barrel sample. Deep purplish crimson. Lots of energy comes steaming out of the glass. Very serious, pure grand cru Pinot fruit with considerable density and energy. Some real polish to this. Obviously a grand cru wine! But, thanks to 2019, relatively forward. Welcome purity of fruit and no obvious oak. (JR)