- CRITICAL REVIEWS
- WINEMAKER NOTES
Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Vinous
2018 Domaine du Clos de Tart 'Clos de Tart' Grand Cru Monopole, Cote de Nuits, France
Summary of the vintage
Notwithstanding a very cold week in March where temperatures oscillated between -5°C and -9°C, winter and spring were very mild in 2018.
That said, bud burst occurred on 16th April, about 6-8 days later than normal. These warm temperatures were accompanied by significant rainfall: during the period from October to March we registered 142mm more rain than average and this culminated with fifteen days non-stop rainfall between mid-May and mid-June(164mm).
These wet and warm conditions encouraged very quick vegetative growth and required attentive work in the vineyard to keep pace with this development. Whilst surprisingly we avoided a powdery mildew outbreak, downy mildew caused significant disease pressure.
The flowering took place early, quickly and evenly. The vines were in mid-bloom on 30th May and finished flowering on 1st June.
From mid-June onwards the weather changed. Whilst temperatures remained high, very dry conditions were experienced with only 47mmofrain in July and 13mmin August.
Thanks to plentiful water reserves in the soil, vine growth continued and, by 27th July, half of the berries had changed colour. The berries finished ripening in August without hinderance despite the hot and often scorching weather.
The harvest was early and we started picking on a record-breaking 30th August and continued non-stop until 3rd September. The berries unveiled beautiful aromas, thick skins and ripe tannins.
Tasting Notes
Lovely deep colour with a complex nose of generous red berries, poached plum, cherries and some dark fruits after aeration, as well as floral notes of rose and violet. On the palate this wine shows it is from a warm vintage as is powerful, intense and fleshy, whilst remaining incredibly elegant with soft and silky tannins.
Bud burst
16th April
Full bloom
1st June
Harvest
30th August - 3rd September
Yield
32 hL/ha
ABV
14.1%
pH
3.62
Ageing
18 months, 80% new oak
Bottling
May 2020