Light but not invisible wood influence frames the ripe and fresh nose that combines crushed red berries, earth, dried rose petal and subtle kirsch and spice hints. There is good power, size and punch to the medium weight plus flavors where once again the underlying tannins are relatively fine grained, all wrapped in a mouth coating, balanced and cool finish that delivers fine persistence. Note that this moderately complex effort will require 12 to 15 years of cellar time to arrive at its full potential.

Tasted blind at the Burgundy 2011 horizontal tasting in Beaune. The Clos de Vougeot 2011 from Domaine de la Vougeraie has a well-knit bouquet with fine delineation: redcurrant jam, raspberry and cranberry leaf, under which lies an attractive mineral note. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, very well-judged acidity and a harmonious, silky smooth finish. This will be very seductive and graceful. Top class. - Neal Martin

Black and sleek with the dark-roast coffee scent of expensive oak, this wine’s graceful fruit and incipient complexity is overtaken up front by that smokiness. But it’s the strawberry essence that lasts in the finish, warm and powerful, ready to go the distance in the cellar.