Pierre Gelin Fixin Clos Napoleon 1er Cru 2019 (750ML)

92 WS / 90-93 JM / 90 BH

Note: a monopole planted between '55 and '59 - it had been abandoned and was rescued from scrub brush

Fresh and succulent, showing a silky texture laced with black cherry, blackberry, vanilla and toasty oak aromas and flavors. Almost seamless from beginning to end, with immediate charm and fine length. Drink now through 2030. 67 cases made.—Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator

The Clos Napoleon is in the form of terraces with one metre of clay at the bottom, but closer to the rock as you go up, hard to plant, but rewarding thereafter. Some brown and some white rock of compact Comblanchien limestone. Pretty purple in colour, the nose takes a while because it is not just straightforward red fruit. Pierre-Emannuel suggests that tobacco and liquorice are markers for Clos Napoleon and I can see the tobacco. Classy and quite juicy fruit behind. Tasted: August 2020—Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy

Tasting note: A complex nose also features ripe but cool notes of high-toned essence of red cherry with background nuances of herbal tea, wood and warm earth. There is fine vibrancy to the well-detailed medium weight flavors that exude a refreshing salinity on the youthfully austere and moderately firm finale. This too will need at least a few years of patience.—Allen Meadows, Burghound