2012 Domaine A et P de Villaine, Bourgogne Rouge Cote Chalonnaise, Les Clous, Burgundy, France.
One of the deals of the vintage so far, Aubert de Villaine’s newest cuvee Les Clous Bourgogne Cote Chalonnaise Rouge 2012 is richly flavored with intense Pinot fruit, earthy spices, mineral and savory elements with tangy red berry, cherry and wild plum layers along with pepper, hints of game, bacon plus cedary wood notes. This old world Burgundy has much to enjoy and will certainly entertain over the coming decade of life. This wine has plenty of stuffing, drive and vigor with good acidity and silky tannins making for another winner for the de Villaine estate. 2012 is going to be an interesting vintage, there was difficult conditions and hail, along with a wonderful harvest, but of a tiny crop, so there will be very little wine, up to 60% less on the market in most cases and that with an extra burst of demand, all these things are going to lead to a rush on Burgundy and an unwanted jump in prices. That all said, places like Cote Chalonnaise still offer great values, even from the guy that is the managing director of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti.
($42 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive
avail at www.sfwtc.com ($36.95)