GRAND CRU - CLOS DE VOUGEOT
VINTAGE 2012 Burghound.com Allen Meadows October 2013
(From a .63 ha parcel; 85% new oak). Here the wood treatment is more discreet though hardly invisible as it allows the cool aromas of red currant, earth and floral aromas to still be appreciated. There is also good volume to the concentrated, round and very fleshy middle weight plus flavors that conclude in a moderately austere, well-balanced and solidly complex finale. (91-93)/2024+
VINTAGE 2011 Burghound.com Allen Meadows January 2013
(From a 0.63 ha parcel; 85% new oak), Moderated wood spice mixes with a lovely combination of both red and dark pinto fruit that is heavily laced with earth tones. The mid-palate, of the big-bodied flavors, is quite supple ad round and is shaped by relatively sophisticated tannins on the textured, powerful and admirably persistent finish. While I might like to see a bit less wood influence this is really well-balanced and offers excellent quality (91-94) 2023+
Confrérie des Chevaliers Du Tastevin Septembre 2013
VINTAGE 2010 Burghound.com Allen Meadows January 2012
(from a .63 ha parcel; 85% new oak). A mild herbal note adds lift to the floral and ripe red berry fruit aromas laced with earth hints that continue onto the somber, rich and voluminous flavors that possess excellent mid-palate concentration as well as very fine depth and length. There is a moderate amount of the hallmark austerity of a young Clos de Vougeot and this will require mid to long-term cellaring. (91-93)/2025+
Vineyard Brands - USA
The deepest color of all the wines up to this point. A nice oaky nose but loaded with class. On the palate, a real Grand Cru with sneaky power, smoke and fire, and sweet, rounded, thick fruit. Black pepper and tobacco elements along with ground coffee. It has good tannins and lots of lively acidity, with a smooth black cherry finish. 19.1/20
VINTAGE 2009 Vineyard Brands - USA
Deep color. A very ripe, raisined nose, minty and mineral, too. On the palate, smoked and toasty oak, floral and perfumed. It has a good level of tannin, not quite enough fruit to balance the tannin. Dry powdered tannin on the finish. 18.5/20
Burghound.com Allen Meadows January 2011
(from a .63 ha parcel; 85% new oak). Much more temperate wood influence allows the fresh and intensely earthy red currant and humus suffused aromas to shine and does not alter the texture of the sappy, focused and overtly powerful flavors that possess fine complexity and excellent length. This is a classic Clos de Vougeot. (90-92)/2021+
VINTAGE 2008 Vineyard Brands - USA
The usual good color. A nose of pine resin. Malted milkball fruit, herbal and perfumed; quite lush with low tannins and acids and some nice finesse. The tannins and acidity come later; it’s a little lacking in power for a grand cru. 17.8/20
Burghound.com Allen Meadows March 2010
(From a .63 ha parcel; 85% new oak). This is presently quite marked by the wood treatment and while the nose is otherwise fresh, ripe and speaks amply of warm earth, all of the fruit is shoved to the background. The mouth coating, rich and relatively robust broad-shouldered flavors possess good depth and vibrancy if not much refinement on the long, balanced and moderately austere finish. There appears to be sufficient density of material to eventually absorb the wood because the finish is not rounded off by it and thus my range offers the benefit of the doubt. (90- 92)/2020+
VINTAGE 2007 Vineyard Brands - USA
Deep color. An extremely fragrant nose, ripe with orange and cream. On the palate all in cream and sugar. Ripe, lovely with long, long flavors. Well-balanced, very rich milk chocolate. Quite fine – a true expression of great Pinot. 18.7/20
Burghound.com Allen Meadows Février 2009
(from a .63 ha parcel; 85% new oak). This is quite elegant as aromatic profiles go for this grand cru with a blend of freshly crushed red berry fruit, earth, underbrush and some wood influence that introduces rich, full and serious flavors that possess plenty of energy and punch on the long and linear finish that also displays a touch of dryness that concerns me as it’s possible that the fruit will not outlast the tannins. To be sure, the finish is not astringent, simply a bit on the dry side that cuts the finish somewhat short. Taste first if possible. (88-91?)/2015+
VINTAGE 2006 Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin 28 Mars 2009
Burghound.com Allen Meadows Février 2008
(from a .63 ha parcel; 85% new oak). Noticeable if not aggressive wood frames very ripe red pinot fruit, cherry and a hint of cranberry, again with obvious floral notes and earth that can also be found on the notably sweet and quite fresh flavors that possess plenty of energy and impressive density, particularly on the generous but focused finish that has almost none of the typical youthful Clos de Vougeot austerity. This is sufficiently ripe that it’s not entirely classic but very attractive all the same. (90-93)/2014+
Vineyard Brands - USA
Deep, brilliant color. A bright, classy nose of black licorice and lots of caramel and milk chocolate, too. On the palate, more milk chocolate, malted milk, raisined fruit. Velvet in texture, with lacy, long fruit. Good structure with integrated tannins and acidity; elegant typé Pinot finish. 18.8/20
VINTAGE 2005 Burghound.com Allen Meadows Février 2007
(85% new oak). Somewhat curiously, this is more aromatically elegant with subtle toast aromas serving to highlight the spicy red and black fruit mix nuanced by hinds of earth and smoke that can also be found on the delicious yet entirely serious big bodies yet textured and relatively refined flavors, all wrapped in a finish that is both powerful and impressively long (91-93) 2015+.
Vineyard Brands - USA
A little lighter in color than the Echézeaux, but deep enough. Very profound nose of ripe Pinot – peanut and cashews. Some prunes and raisins, too. On the palate it’s Raisinettes candy with smoke and soil elements. Very classy. Less tannins and acids than the Echézeaux but more finesse and class. Super meaty with a silky finish. 19.4/20
VINTAGE 2004 Vineyard Brands - USA
Lighter in color than the Echézeaux, but still deep, nonetheless. Very elegant Pinot fruit with lots of smoke and toast. Lively, succulent acidity that coats the palate. A sweet, almost tropical finish. 18.2/20
