2011 Domaine de la Vougeraie, Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru

Good dark red. Classy aromas of strawberry, raspberry, smoke and herbs, lifted by a floral topnote. Juicy, precise and light on its feet, offering an impression of dusty extract to its lightly saline flavors of strawberry, raspberry, red cherry, minerals, flowers, smoke and earth. Finishes minerally, perfumed and long, with noteworthy subtlety and solid tannic support. Boisset established this domain in 1999 and it has been certified organic since 2007.

Dark red cherry, plum, smoke and iron notes open up in La Vougeraie's 2011 Clos Vougeot. This is another surprisingly open 2011 Grand Cru, even if the firm Vougeot tannins are very much present in the glass. The 2011 possesses wonderful depth to match its medium-bodied personality. Winemaker Pierre Vincent used 50% whole clusters here, a bit lower than normal.

Tasted blind at the Burgundy 2011 horizontal tasting in Beaune. The Clos de Vougeot 2011 from Domaine de la Vougeraie has a well-knit bouquet with fine delineation: redcurrant jam, raspberry and cranberry leaf, under which lies an attractive mineral note. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, very well-judged acidity and a harmonious, silky smooth finish. This will be very seductive and graceful. Top class.

Something very slightly muddy on the nose and lots of sweet, smudgy fruit on the palate. Definitely simple but reasonably pretty. Just a little raw on the end. (JR)