Clos de Vougeot, Louis Jadot 2020

Rich and gamey nose, of the kind that gets real Burgundy freaks very excited. Iron, smoke and earth in its soul. With aeration it develops wonderful, super-ripe sour-cherry fruit. Then comes the massive structure of the expansive yet fresh finish, the wine moving over your palate like a great ocean liner plowing through the waves of the North Atlantic. Here's one with decades of aging potential. From organically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but best from 2030.

Subtle wisps of menthol suffuse the ripe aromas of spicy purple fruit compote along with plenty of earth influence that is picked up by the supple and caressing yet powerful larger-scaled flavors that conclude in a markedly austere finish that is somewhat attenuated. This may better harmonize as it ages but that is not a given.

The 2020 Clos Vougeot Grand Cru (Domaine Louis Jadot) is a standout this year. Revealing aromas of cassis, dark cherries, incense, rose petals, dark chocolate and spices, it's full-bodied, concentrated and structured, with striking depth and dimension. Vibrant and penetrating, it will require patience, but it's the finest Clos Vougeot I've ever tasted from Jadot.

Fine rich purple, solid nose as is typical, but not overwrought nor over ripe. Punchy on the palate, the menthol is back along with dark cherry and raspberry, the tannins are present but biding their time, the acidity offering a promising accompaniment for the decade before this is ready to start drinking. Tasted: November 2021