Denis Clair Cotes De Beaune Villages 2012

Description

Bettane et Desseauve – Le Classement des Meilleurs Vins de France 2010: “A very united, generous family: a family with good taste and beautiful vines on the best terroirs of Saint-Aubin and Santenay. All of this explains the success this domaine has achieved over some twenty years.”

Denis works closely with his son, Jean-Baptiste who has had a great impact on the quality of their wines. The fruit for this bottling comes from several parcels including plenty of old vines, situated on the chalky slopes above Santenay, Saint-Aubin and in Maranges itself. Old vines, low yields, destemming and cold soaking are some of the keys to Jean-Baptiste’s exuberant style, which offers a lot more stuffing than you might expect of this appellation. The 2012 is a juicy, chewy, spicy Côte de Beaune with a core of red cherry, Pinot fruit, and complexing notes of brown spices, iodine and hint of nettle. It’s racy and persistent on the palate with some serious, steely structure that begs for food. Impressive length, leaving the palate bright and vibrating with lingering ferrous and spice notes. Really benefits from a good decanting too. Raised in old 228-litre Burgundian pièce, there’s a little bit of the old school here (the firm structure) combined with the new (purity, freshness, etc.). Perhaps a little of the father and a little of the son. Regardless, it’s a Burgundy that punches well above its weight from an admired Santenay grower. Enjoy.

RRP $62