Clos de Tart la Forge de Tart 1er Cru 2018 (750ML)

92 DE / 91-93 BH / 89-91 VM / 88-90 WA

This was previously a cuvée made by Clos de Tart only in certain years (often when they needed greater selection for the first wine) but it will now be produced annually from the vines that are under 20 years old. Touches of caramel-edged oak at first that is slightly intrusive, but as it opens up there is tons of blueberry and raspberry fruit. Fresh and appealing, silky with edges of steel. - Jane Anson, Decanter

This too is quite ripe though retains a better sense of freshness to the mostly dark berry aromas that include nuances of plum, cassis, spice and violet that is also trimmed in enough oak to merit pointing out. There is much better concentration to the finer velvet-textured flavors that offer notably better depth and persistence on the firm, balanced and sappy finish. This is really very good and a way to drink Clos de Tart for less! - Allen Meadows, Burghound

The 2018 Morey-Saint-Denis La Forge de Tart 1er Cru includes two parcels downgraded from Clos de Tart that were planted in the 1980s without massal selection. This was matured in around 55% new oak and is quite deep in color. It clearly has more breeding on the nose, displaying finer delineation and mineralité; scents of black olive filter through the brambly red fruit, and touches of undergrowth emerge with time. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and more flesh than the Village Cru, leading to a silky-smooth, almost Vosne-like finish. This is very attractive and should drink quite soon after bottling. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

Exhibiting aromas of cherries, ripe berry fruit and cassis mingled with nuances of cinnamon, rich soil tones and espresso roast, the 2018 Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru La Forge de Tart is medium to full-bodied, rich and quite extracted in style, with a ripe core of fruit and a generous endowment of powdery tannins. It was entirely destemmed. - William Kelley, Wine Advocate