The 2010 Clos de Vougeot has a pretty, precocious bouquet that more stylistically resembles a 2009, with lifted, pure, joyful red cherry and red currant fruit that is well-defined and competently enmeshed with the oak. It opens seductively in the glass while maintaining poise. The palate is silky smooth on the entry with fine tannins. There is an attractive edginess to this Clos de Vougeot – a fine line of acidity and attractive cranberry, raspberry and spice notes on the finish. This is a very well-crafted, elegant Clos de Vougeot with fine breeding, a Pinot Noir that is simply delicious to drink. The question is whether you can resist temptation! Drink 2014-2024. Domaine du Clos Frantin is owned by Maison Albert Bichot. Their Clos de Vougeot vines are located in two parcels – a smaller plot on the upper reaches of the clos and a larger parcel lower down, stretching from the mid-slope down to the RN74 artery. Though they have experimented with separate cuvees in the past, the winemaking team feels that an assemblage of the two creates a more complete Clos de Vougeot. The fruit is partly de-stemmed, the whole bunches individually selected, after which follows a three- to four-week maceration in temperature-controlled conical oak vats where punching down is conducted manually. The Clos de Vougeot is usually aged for up to two years in 60% new oak.

Big and structured, this wine is currently dominated by tannins, but it shows a hint of its intense fruit and potential. The red and black fruits are rich and ripe, and they promise future balance. Age this for at least 7–8 years. — (4/1/2013) —93