Clos Saint Denis, Domaine Dujac 2005

A ripe and brooding nose flashes notes of spice, floral and sandalwood nuances. The exceptionally rich and concentrated broad-shouldered yet refined flavors possess a velvety and caressing mouthfeel while delivering strikingly impressive length. This remains quite youthful and while it could be enjoyed now, it will be much better if allowed to slumber for another the better part of another decade. Tasted on multiple occasions since release with very little bottle variation.

In contrast to the lovely, but not quite classic Clos de la Roche, the 2005 Clos St. Denis is monumental this year. The bouquet is deep, pure and magnificent, as it explodes from the glass in a perfumed haze of red plums, blood orange, black cherries, a lovely touch of nutskin, notes of graphite, herb tones, cocoa, great minerality and a delicate base of vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and flawlessly balanced, with a great core of sappy fruit, beautiful acidity, laser-like focus, velvety tannins, and a nearly endless and utterly profound finish. This is the greatest young Clos St. Denis that I have ever tasted chez Dujac. Simply do not miss it! (Drink between 2013-2050)

An earthy yet elegant nose features notes of game, subtle smoke, red, black and blue fruit and briar notes that sit atop concentrated, pure and detailed flavors wrapped in a wonderfully intense, balanced and strikingly long finish. This oozes class and refinement and interestingly, the mid-palate is almost tender yet there is a robust firmness to the massively long finish that lets one know that this is built for the next several decades. Most impressive and in contrast to the Malconsorts, this is even better than what I saw in barrel last year but note that patience will most definitely be required.