2012 Seguin Manuel, Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru 1x750ml

Robert Parker 89

The 2012 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru has a fragrant, floral bouquet with violet-infused dark berry fruit that is well defined and succinctly interwoven with the oak. The palate is medium-bodied with a core of sweet plum fruit, touches of white pepper and dried citrus peel that inform its quite pointed finish. I am just seeking a little more length in the mouth. The small but very welcome expansion of the Seguin-Manuel a oeempirea continues unabated thanks to Thibaut Marion’s acquisition of a long-term lease of a considerable 1.8-hectares of Vosne-Romanee in a oeAu Communea . Furthermore, 2013 will see more Cote de Nuits wines that will include a debut Echezeaux. All Thibaut’s 2012s were matured in cask this year and as he wryly put it, there was not need to retread over the catastrophes that affected his vines, like everybody else’s. As I have mentioned several times ever since this name was resurrected from history, Thibaut is a talented winemaker not just amongst those that enjoy his wines, but respected by many of his peers. They represent good value in the marketplace, even if I decided this time that he really should consider a more modern label. If you are looking for affordable, well-crafted Burgundy, then look no further than here. Importer: Winebow and also Haynes, Hanson & Clark and Private Cellar in UK. [Neal Martin, 30/12/2013]