Description
Deep ruby color of a royal robe. Very complex nose with a wide range of fragrances: wild strawberry with hints of rose, lilac, spice, pepper, tobacco and noble herbaceous notes. The dense, ample and full-bodied mouthfeel retains an ethereal touch: fleshy and silky tannins lightly fill the palate, leaving a gracious, caressing finish. The 2016 is a powerful wine, elegant, deep and seductive.
Critical Acclaim
V99
Vinous
The 2016 Clos de Tart Grand Cru, cropped at 35hl/ha, is the first year farmed biodynamically. This was completely breathtaking in barrel, and now, in bottle, nothing has changed in that respect. It has an ineffably complex bouquet, not as intense as it showed in barrel yet extremely deep and cerebral, black fruit mingling with forest floor, crushed stone and a touch of sea spray. The palate is perfectly balanced with a deceivingly understated entry, before a wave of black and red fruit crashes over the senses. It is framed by supremely fine tannin, the intensity building toward a crescendo as it fans out. The aftertaste is unbelievably long, remaining in the mouth 60 seconds after the wine has departed. The best ever – simple as that. Tasted at Clos de Tart.
Rating: 99+
TA96
Tim Atkin
The future stylistic direction of this monopoly Grand Cru is uncertain since its recent purchase by the Artemis Group, but I hope that they stick with the current regime, as Jacques Devauges is doing brilliant things. This is a blend of eight different parcels and vinifications, with 60% whole bunches and 80% new oak. It’s a fresh, refine, polished Clos de Tart with precision and elegance, marking a welcome break with the past. 2026-40.
D95
Decanter
The Clos de Tart 2016 is really quite special, and after the technically perfect but soulless wines of the Pitiot-era, it is refreshing to taste a wine at this address that pulls at the heartstrings as well as the head. Aromas of peony, plum, red cherry, roast espresso and incipient gamebird precede a full-bodied, ineffably complete wine with superb depth and dimension, velvety tannins and a deep core of fruit. Concentrated but elegant, this has attained a superb balance. Jacques Devauges has clearly hit the ground running at this storied address.
BH94
Burghound.com
A wonderfully fresh, bright and layered nose reflects notes of cool red and black cherry, plum, violet, lavender, herbal tea, earth and a subtle, but not invisible, touch of wood. There is notably more volume and mid-palate concentration to the relatively supple medium weight plus flavors that tighten up noticeably on the dusty, balanced and exquisitely persistent finish where a hint of bitter cherry pit surfaces. This moderately powerful effort is shaped by dense but fine tannins and is a wine that should amply repay extended cellaring.
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