Vinous (95)

The 2018 Clos de Vougeot Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru displays more complexity and mineralité on the nose compared to the Cuvée Classique; the fruit is a little darker, revealing hints of cola and sous-bois. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, lithe and fine-boned. Slightly chalky-textured toward the precise finish. This is actually more 2019 in style. A resounding success.

Connoisseurs will savour every sip of the Chateau de la Tour Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru VV 2019, a masterpiece in Burgundian winemaking. This exceptional offering is born from aged vines, nestled in the heart of Burgundy's revered Clos de Vougeot appellation, a testament to the expertise of its producer, François Labet, who follows time-honoured traditions for a distinct result.

Each bottle captures the true essence of Pinot Noir grapes, harvested from 85- to 105-year old vines which bestow unparalleled depth of flavour. The wine undergoes meticulous oak barrel fermentation, with 50% new oak to intensify complexity, forging a beautiful marriage of intensity and elegance.

Bursting with vibrant cherries, a hint of earthy truffle, and adorned by a silky finish, the Chateau de la Tour Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru VV 2019 delivers a harmonious symphony in every glass, a testament to Burgundy's viticultural heritage awaits you.

Connoisseurs will savour every sip of the Chateau de la Tour Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru VV 2019, a masterpiece in Burgundian winemaking. This exceptional offering is born from aged vines, nestled in the heart of Burgundy's revered Clos de Vougeot appellation, a testament to the expertise of its producer, François Labet, who follows time-honoured traditions for a distinct result.

Each bottle captures the true essence of Pinot Noir grapes, harvested from 85- to 105-year old vines which bestow unparalleled depth of flavour. The wine undergoes meticulous oak barrel fermentation, with 50% new oak to intensify complexity, forging a beautiful marriage of intensity and elegance.

Bursting with vibrant cherries, a hint of earthy truffle, and adorned by a silky finish, the Chateau de la Tour Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru VV 2019 delivers a harmonious symphony in every glass, a testament to Burgundy's viticultural heritage awaits you.

Vinous (94-96)

The 2020 Clos de Vougeot Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru is 60-70% whole cluster, not that you can discern on the nose, with around 45% new oak. It has a very pure and seductive bouquet with black cherries, violet and light sea spray/oyster shell scents that unfurl in the glass. The palate is very harmonious with gentle grip, pure and slightly granular in texture, fine depth with a silky smooth finish. This is a sophisticated, generous and seductive Clos de Vougeot that should age with style.

Vinous (94-96)

The 2020 Clos de Vougeot Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru is 60-70% whole cluster, not that you can discern on the nose, with around 45% new oak. It has a very pure and seductive bouquet with black cherries, violet and light sea spray/oyster shell scents that unfurl in the glass. The palate is very harmonious with gentle grip, pure and slightly granular in texture, fine depth with a silky smooth finish. This is a sophisticated, generous and seductive Clos de Vougeot that should age with style.

Vinous (92-94)

The 2021 Clos de Vougeot Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru has a lively bouquet with loamy scents filtering through the red berry fruit, fragrant with rose petal and peony emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with firmer and more solid tannins than the Cuvée Classique, fleshier with a liquorice-tinged finish. This is a couple of steps ahead of the Cuvée Classique and should give 15 to 20 years' drinking pleasure.

Vinous (89)

The 2003 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru does not have the same precision and freshness as the Méo-Camuzet on the nose - smudged blackberry and raspberry fruit, leather and undergrowth scents, the heat blurring the aromatics edges. The palate is medium-bodied with a candied, eucalyptus-tinged entry, the start of a medicinal Clos de Vougeot that feels compromised by the growing season rather than any winemaking fault. Here, it is just shown up by its counterpart from Jean-Nicolas Méo. Tasted at the Clos de Vougeot retrospective at Clos de Vougeot.

Burghound (93)

A background application of toasty oak frames an airy, pure and markedly ripe nose of beautifully well-layered dark berry fruit and plum where additional breadth is present in the form of dried flowers, spice and earth accents. The seductively textured, intense and muscular big-bodied flavors possess ripe tannins and plenty of dry extract, all wrapped in a balanced, lingering and energetic finish that is a bit less youthfully austere than usual.

Vinous (92+)

Bright, dark red-ruby. Black cherry and licorice on the ripe but cool nose. Concentrated and deep but light on its feet, showing strong minerality and inner-mouth tension. More energetic than the 2014 and very primary today. Finishes tactile, fresh and long.

Burghound (93)

A moderate application of wood frames the overtly floral and attractive fresh aromas of ripe dark cherry, cassis and soft earth hints. The sleek and delineated flavors possess a supple mid-palate though the youthfully austere finish tightens up quickly while evidencing a subtle trace of warmth. This moderately structured effort should be approachable after only 6 to 8 years but reward 12 to 15.

Vinous (93)

(these 2015s were bottled in June of '17): Dark red with ruby tones. Very ripe, almost exotic aromas of black cherry, dark plum, licorice and menthol, with lower-pitched notes of damp earth and clove; less perfumed than the 2016 version. Compellingly rich and broad but showing a bit more alcoholic weight and warmth than the '16 (the alcohol here is 13.6%, vs. 13.2% for the earlier vintage) and already shutting down in the bottle. Finishes with broad, dusty, building tannins and strong medicinal reserve.

Vinous (96)

The 2018 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru "Cuvée Classique" displays good amplitude on the nose, incense and iris flower permeating the vibrant black fruit; there is real depth and complexity here. The mineral-driven palate is very well balanced with gentle grip and a chalky finish similar to the Vieilles Vignes. Superb.

Vinous (93)

The 2019 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru "Cuvée Classique" has a fragrant nose with red berry fruit, still that touch of struck flint, fine focus with just a touch of reduction at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grip on the entry, quite chalky tannins, white pepper towards the prolonged finish. Just as I expected having tasted this in barrel last year, this Cuvée Classique is ageing with style.

Vinous (93-95)

The 2020 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru "Cuvée Classique" is around 50-60% whole cluster, mainly from the older vines in the upper sectors of the clos. It is well-defined on the nose that offers a light marine influence, just a touch of seaweed in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, fine acidity, gentle grip, chalky black fruit with a poised finish. The whole bunch works very well here and it will age with style. Excellent.

Vinous (93-95)

The 2020 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru "Cuvée Classique" is around 50-60% whole cluster, mainly from the older vines in the upper sectors of the clos. It is well-defined on the nose that offers a light marine influence, just a touch of seaweed in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, fine acidity, gentle grip, chalky black fruit with a poised finish. The whole bunch works very well here and it will age with style. Excellent.

Vinous (90-92)

The 2021 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru Cuvée Classique has a bright and quite lively bouquet, red and black fruit, juniper and hawthorn. The palate is medium-bodied with fine definition, taut and fresh, brown spices infusing the peppery, tobacco-tinged finish. It needs to cohere a little before bottling, though the racking will assist that.

Wine Spectator (93)

This richly structured wine manages to maintain balance and plenty of black-fruit acidity. Showing a firm texture that will soften, it's a blend of equal parts of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with just a touch of Petit Verdot. The wine needs to age further, so drink from 2022.

James Suckling (94)

A chewy, linear 2018 with very attractive blackberry, chocolate and wet-earth character. Some mushrooms, too. It’s full-bodied, very tight and tannic, yet polished and creamy-textured. Flavorful finish. Very typically Medoc. Needs three years to soften. Try after 2024.

James Suckling (93-94)

This is a medium-to full-bodied red with berry and tile character to the ripe, creamy tannins that are fine-grained and long at the finish. Seriously crafted.

James Suckling (92-93)

A solid red for the vintage with blackcurrant, crushed-stone and walnut aromas and flavors. Medium body, polished tannins and a juicy, chewy finish. Well done.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (89-92)

Pineapple dominates the nose. Clean, juicy and penetrating, with very intense, pure flavors of pineapple and honey. In its power, this reminded me of a 2001. Finishes with terrific lingering fruit.