This trades elegance for greater complexity with its broad ranging aromas of spicy and pungently earth black berry fruit liqueur, black tea and intensely animale suffused nose. There is excellent size, weight and power to the big and well-muscled flavors that possess plenty of supporting dry extract that coats the palate on the driving, even explosive finish. This should abundantly repay mid to longer-term cellaring.

Tasted blind at the Burgundy 2011 horizontal tasting in Beaune. The Corton Clos du Roi ‘11 has a very attractive bouquet with redcurrants, strawberry pastilles and attractive floral scents (wilted rose petals and a sprig of wild heather.) The palate is succulent on the entry, comparatively fleshy, with good backbone toward the focused, gently spiced finish that lingers nicely in the mouth. This is a finely crafted Clos du Roi that should age with style. - Neal Martin