A remarkably attractively cool and restrained nose of various red berries, spice and a beautiful array of floral elements complements well the rich and equally cool mineral-tinged big-bodied and overtly muscular flavors. There is a really lovely sense of underlying tension on the clean and pure finish that delivers strikingly good length. This intensely mineral-driven effort is also clean and firm but with slightly better phenolic maturity to the supporting structural elements which should allow this beauty to age successfully for many years to come.

Tasted blind at the Burgundy 2011 horizontal tasting in Beaune. Comte de Vogüé’s Musigny Vieilles Vignes 2011 has a gorgeous bouquet that displays exquisite delineation and refinement: pure dark cherry, crème de cassis, wet stone and violet scents that are damn irresistible. The palate is medium-bodied with supple and ripe tannins. This is suave and sophisticated, yet very youthful wine has a lot of energy that suggests cellaring for another 5-6 years will be essential. - Neal Martin