The grand vin at this domaine, the clos in question is positioned next to the cellars, on the left bank of the Vienne. The vines, aged between 70 and 80 years, are rooted into the calcareous soils of the slope. This...
The grand vin at this domaine, the clos in question is positioned next to the cellars, on the left bank of the Vienne. The vines, aged between 70 and 80 years, are rooted into the calcareous soils of the slope. This vintage appears glossy and concentrated in the glass, dark but with a fresh raspberry-red rim. The nose is also dark and focused, filled with brooding scents of toasted black olive, currant, smoke and charcoal, alongside the freshness of green peppercorn and little touches of mint. In short, this has a really beautiful aromatic composition, dark yet also minty fresh. The palate feels cool, sinewy and similarly fresh, in a much tauter style than I found when I tasted this from barrel, but no less convincing for that. Dense yet tense, savoury, beautifully formed, with a frame of tight tannins and fresh acidity, this is just delicious. It remains taut and composed right through the finish. A real Chinon tour de force – in short, simply brilliant. It has a great future, lasting many years, ahead of it. The alcohol on the label is 14.5%.