In an effort to get some TNs up, I’ll toss these Pinots into the ring…from the C&B tasting last week.
Corton 2013 - DRC
Very pure red fruit perfume with a sappy edge from the stems. A very slight green note and markedly savoury profile. Almost stern in its reserve and structure. Fruit is fresh and sappy and the tannin firm and chalky. Strong and masculine in a very tricky Corton vintage. 16/20
Echezeaux 2013 - DRC
Similar freshness to the Corton but immediately more floral. Brighter and more engaging. Briary. Then it withdraws back into its shell. Palate is airy, graceful and mineral. Juicy fruit. Lifted and fragrant. 17.5/20
Grands Echezeaux 2013 - DRC
Darker-toned and richer on the nose but retaining the perfumed element. Has a lifted, stemmy snap to the aromatics. Fresh, spicy and complex. Lots of energy and very clean lines but with more bass than the previous two. Dusky rose petal character and spherical tannin structure. 18.5/20
Romanee Saint Vivant 2013 - DRC
Complex scent - less fruit than musk, incense and sandalwood. Introspective. Pure, sweet and very focused. Delicate but has line and mineral tension. Fine, silken tannins. Maybe a whisper behind GE. 18/20
Richebourg 2013 - DRC
Back to a more deeply-pitched and dark-toned style. Spicy, floral and musky. Even a hint of oak. Some attractive citrus peel tones. Very complex. Rich and palate-coating with velvet tannins. 18.5/20
La Tache 2013 - DRC
Fresh and expressive with rose hip perfume and ripe red fruit. Lifted and airy. Great purity on the palate. Fine-boned, filigree and lacy. Delicate and precise with superb line. 19/20
Romanee Conti 2013 - DRC
Belongs to the darker-toned group of 2013 DRCs. More emphasis on fruit than LT but is beautifully controlled and defined. Tannin is strong but succulent and ripe. Less spice and more primary than LT. Crescendos on the palate and finishes broad and long. 18.5++
Even given the usual vineyard characters it felt as though there were two distinct styles within the 2013 DRC range - the delicate, more scented and ethereal wines and those with a darker, fuller profile. Either way, they were pretty tidy.
Cheers,
M