2017 Clos Vougeot

Racked last week into small foudre because it can get heavy in the barrel, says Philippe Pacalet. South-facing, not far from the wall, a strip of five rows from the bottom to the top of the slope with three types of soil. Clay at the bottom, fossils/stony and clay in the middle and pebbles at the top, red soil. Owned by a Bordeaux château. Intensely sweet cherry fruit on the nose. Dry and chalky on the palate but with power behind it. Needs to take on more flesh but the tannins are refined and add to the freshness. (JH)