A cool, restrained and unusually elegant nose combines various red berries with notes of dried flowers, freshly turned earth and sandalwood. There is excellent volume and intensity to the focused, intense and quite powerful medium weight plus flavors that culminate in a driving, even explosive finish that coats the mouth and lingers for an impressively long time. I very much like the harmony of elements though note that this exceptionally intense effort is unlikely to be an early drinker.

Hints of smoke and mineral ignite the black currant, black cherry and violet flavors in this dense yet pure and elegant red. Stays long and complex on the finish, but needs time for the nuances to emerge. Best from 2019 through 2035. 140 cases imported. –BS

Tasted blind at the annual "Burgfest" tasting in Beaune. The 2012 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru from Etienne Grivot has a fine bouquet with ebullient red cherry and raspberry fruit, plenty of wild strawberry and white pepper notes. It is sophisticated and very well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe red fruit laced with soy and Provençal herbs, even a suggestion of fennel, fanning out gently on the finish to complete a very satisfying Clos de Vougeot. No surprise when I discovered the identity of the grower. - Neal Martin