The de Nicolays’ holdings in the Clos du Roi are located at the top of this large vineyard, where the soils are more red and sandy than those classified (in white) as Corton-Charlemagne, but featuring the same type of marl. Of the domaine’s three Cortons, the Clos du Roi reveals the most complex and complete bouquet, bursting from the glass with aromas of red and black cherry, plum, candied peel, roasted espresso and rich forest floor. More elegant and aloof than the Bressandes, the wine is full-bodied, multidimensional and complete; its fine, velvety tannins cloaked in cool, vibrant fruit, and underpinned by a deep vein of saline minerality. Read more at https://www.decanter.com/wine-reviews/france/burgundy/chandon-de-briailles-corton-clos-du-roi-grand-cru-2016-16230#6WGvVmFS4T7S1z8S.99

95+ There are only three casks of Clos du Roi at the domaine in 2016, so this wine saw one barrel that was used for one wine previously, with the other two barrels five to seven years old. This wine is entirely whole cluster in this vintage an delivers a stunning bouquet of red and black cherries, a touch of red currant, orange peel, iron, lavender and a touch of cinnamon from the stems. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and shows off gorgeous mid-palate depth, with great focus and grip, ripe, suave tannins and a very long, poised and vibrant finish. Stunning juice!

The 2016 Corton Clos du Roi Grand Cru is immensely impressive, unfurling in the glass with aromas of wild blueberries, raspberries and cassis that mingle with notions of dark chocolate, musk, violets and ineffable savory bass notes. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, satiny and multidimensional, with superb concentration, tangy acids and a long, searingly mineral finish. It's one of the two or three finest expressions of the hill of Corton to be found—with the domaine's fleshier, more gourmand Corton Bressandes not far behind. As readers may know, the de Nicolays’ holdings in the Clos du Roi are located at the top of this large vineyard, where the soils are redder and sandier than those classified—in white—as Corton-Charlemagne but which feature the same type of marl.- WK

Perfumed, this red makes a grand entrance with sandalwood, mint, saturated cherry and blueberry aromas and flavors. The tannins make their presence felt yet remain civilized, matched by the long aftertaste of fruit and spice. Best from 2023 through 2045. — B.S.

(91-94) As is almost always the case chez Chandon, this possesses the spiciest nose in the range with its aromas of poached plum, earth and plenty of sauvage influence. There is very fine depth on the focused and sleekly muscular large-scaled flavors that exude a sense of focused power before culminating in a strikingly long and well-balanced finish where a hint of bitter cherry pit arises. This moderately rustic effort should be at least very good and possibly even outstanding as it has everything that it needs to evolve gracefully over the next 12 to 15 years.