Albert Bichot : Clos de Vougeot Grand cru Dom. du Clos Frantin 2016

Domaine du Clos Frantin owns 0.63ha within the 50ha of Clos du Vougeot. Bichot has two parcels—one in the higher part of the vineyard adding structure, and a larger parcel in the lower part that is more fruit-driven. The 2016 is full of bright dark berry fruit, with freshness and crisp acidity still very evident. This is a youthful, powerful Grand Cru that needs a bit of time to soften. It will be very classy and long-lived.

With clear fruit, more black than red, this grand cru with lovely freshness shows refinement, without the usual austerity of this great terroir. A charming, persistent wine that will evolve over one to several decades.

A beam of cherry anchors this intense red. Though concentrated, this stays agile, with cinnamon, vanilla, currant and licorice flavors. Compact and underlined by dusty tannins, this comes back to the cherry element on the finish. Best from 2023 through 2042. 250 cases made, 50 cases imported.

The 2016 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru has a very pretty and pure bouquet, the oak here deftly integrated and allowing the dark cherries, cranberry and raspberry scents to flourish. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins framing the pure confit-like red fruit, just a splash of balsamic towards the finish lending another welcome dimension. I suspect that this will mature with style and panache. Tasted blind at the 2016 Burgfest tasting.