This is a peacock of a wine, all show and panache. But underneath the fine aromas and flavors there is something more serious: power, generous juicy fruits and layers of tannin and acidity. The structure says long life—wait at least 5 years before even thinking about it. Imported by Clicquot Inc.
— R.V.
(9/1/2005)
One of Faiveley’s monopoles (wholly owned vineyards), Clos des Cortons makes powerful wines. That’s the case in 2005. This wine towers up, a strong edifice of tannins and big, black fruits. It has all the right elements coming into place, along with weight and some elegance.
— R.V.
(3/1/2008)
A superb wine, which is dominated by enticing aromas of sweet fruit. Flavors of sweet strawberries mingle gracefully with soft, rich tannins.
— R.V.
(9/1/2004)
A firm, tightly balanced wine, the intense fruit fitting into a dry, solidly tannic framework. It is ripe, certainly, with a sweet, juicy character, but the dense structure is as important, a core of steely resolve to go with the delicious fruit and acidity. Demands 5–10 years and more aging.
— R.V.
(10/1/2009)
Big fruit, big tannins and a delicious raspberry jelly feel are found on this complex wine. The fruit is equal to the dusty tannins, with the acidity—typical of the year—very prominent. The wine has richness though, with a tangible final burst of power.
— R.V.
(7/1/2010)
A powerful wine, very structured with wood, coffee notes and dark tannins. It feels extracted, although the weight of fruit is certainly enough to handle that. It’s for the long haul, a concentrated wine that needs at least 10 years.
— R.V.
(9/1/2011)
While the aroma has pronounced new wood characters, the palate is more subtle, emphasizing the powerful dark fruits, coffee note and sweet fruit tannins as much as wood. With a delicious, opulent full-bodied feel to it, this will age well over 5–6 years and more.
— R.V.
(12/31/2011)