CLOS DE LA ROCHE

(from a .27 ha parcel, most of which is young vines of 15+ years of age though there is a parcel approximating 15% of the total with ~40 years of age; 80% whole cluster). All but invisible wood sets off the spicier and overtly floral-suffused nose that possesses excellent complexity. There is excellent drive and delineation to the big-bodied and tautly muscular flavors that deliver fine persistence on the moderately austere finish. This powerful effort will need a few years to develop more depth but the underlying material appears to be present for that to occur with time. Drinking range: 2032 - Rating: 93 Allen Meadows, www.Burghound.com (Jan 2020)

The 2017 Clos-de-la-Roche Grand Cru has an expressive bouquet that is a dead ringer for a Dujac, conveying plenty of energy and earthy black fruit laced with undergrowth and sea cave scents. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and quite a firm backbone. Fresh from the start to the refreshing, elegant, saline finish that gets the saliva flowing. Excellent. Drinking range: 2024 - 2050 Rating: 95 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Jan 2020)

(from a .27 ha parcel, most of which is young vines of 15+ years of age though there is a parcel approximating 15% of the total with ~40 years of age; 80% whole cluster). Here too notes of reduction and wood mask the underlying fruit. There is excellent drive and delineation to the big-bodied and tautly muscular flavors that deliver fine depth and persistence on the moderately austere finish where again there is a mild dryness that surfaces. In this case though it seems more likely that the dryness will eventually dissipate with time in bottle. Drinking range: 2032 - Rating: 90-93 Allen Meadows, www.Burghound.com (Jan 2019)