Maison Louis Jadot, Clos Vougeot (Burgundy, France) 2012

At first impression, this wine announces its Grand Cru origin. And it keeps sending this signal as you continue to taste it. Part of its grandeur, no doubt, comes from its being an estate wine. (Domaine Louis Jadot in the box at the base of the label means that the grapes come from their portion of the Clos Vougeot vineyard.) But that doesn’t explain it entirely, because Jadot has owned a portion of Clos Vougeot for decades, and I don’t remember the wine ever being so elegant and graceful when young. Usually, Jadot’s Clos Vougeot takes years to develop the kind of finesse the 2012 is currently exhibiting because it has a considerable tannic structure of youth. That’s not to say that the 2012 lacks structure. Hardly. The firm and polished tannins are present, lending support without astringency and allowing the magnificent combination of floral and mineraly elements to shine. This wine explodes and expands on the palate seemingly out of nowhere because it’s truly flavor without weight. Despite its captivating allure now, I’d find a place in the cellar where it can remain undisturbed for a decade