Beaune 1er Cru “Clos du Roi” Reviews

Spicy, with hints of sandalwood and incense shading the cherry and currant flavors. This is balanced and dry, delivering firm, dusty tannins on the finish. Best from 2016 through 2030. 100 cases imported. –BS

A ripe and distinctly earthy nose of pretty red pinot fruit leads to middle weight flavors that are very Beaune in style, which is to say round, supple and quite generous, all wrapped in a slightly fruity finish of acceptable depth and length. There is good mid-palate fat which confers a seductive texture onto the palate impression but this is without real distinction. Note that this could already be drunk with pleasure.

Concentrated and velvety, this is a full-bodied pinot with warm, baked cherry flavors. It’s soft and round, ready for braised beef.

Pale medium-red. Exotic, inviting scents of red cherry, orange zest, truffle and smoky underbrush. Fat, sweet and rich, with a rather animal, syrah-like quality to its dark fruit flavors. Not particularly delineated but there's plenty of substance here, and adequate energy. Finishes with a soft dusting of tannins. This is already fun to dirnk.

The 2010 Beaune Clos du Roi is gorgeous for its soft, round fruit and accessible personality. Sweet red cherries, crushed flowers and tobacco wrap around the delicate, somewhat fleeting finish. This is an excellent choice for drinking over the next few years. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2018.

This is noticeably riper with a layered combination of red berry fruit liqueur scents and warm earth nuances. There is fine richness and volume to the supple, round and sappy medium-bodied flavors that possess good mid-palate fat, all wrapped in an ever-so-mildly austere finish. Very solid quality here.