Clos de Tart Monopole, Domaine du Clos de Tart 2010 (OWC 3)

Description

By Wine Advocate in 2015 (WA98)

Tasted at the pre-dinner vertical to mark Sylvain Pitiot’s retirement from the domaine, the 2010 Clos de Tart Grand Cru would have been made by angels if not Sylvain Pitiot (angels that had graduated from University of Dijon with a degree in oenology). The nose is so ineffably pure that it is guaranteed to bring a tear to the eye. In a strange way it reminds me of a top Armand Rousseau with its awe-inspiring transparency. The palate is ethereal – divine balance, a gentle grip, a saline edge and poise on the finish that takes your breath away. Iron fist in a velvet glove, etc. This is surely legend in the making.

By Vinous in 2012 (AG94-96)

The 2010 Clos de Tart is still a work in progress, but this early tasting is fascinating. Layers of deep, dark fruit nearly jump from the glass in this exotic, full-bodied Clos de Tart. Crushed flowers, violets and spices develop over time as the wine gains its easy upper register. The tannins are very firm, but there appears to be more than enough fruit to provide balance. This is going to be a fascinating wine to follow over the coming years and decades. Today it is shaping up to be a gem.

By Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar (IWC95+)

Good full red. Deep, sweet, classic Clos de Tart aromas and flavors of dark raspberry, dried flowers, minerals and fresh violet and rose. Dense, round, superripe and compellingly sweet but not a bit roasted. Utterly mouthfilling, fine-grained wine with a broad, wonderfully sweet finish that saturates the entire palate and builds impressively. The serious, noble tannins arrive late. The pH here is in the 3.55 to 3.6 range, according to winemaker Sylvain Pitiot. The cool harvest of 2010 was perfect for Pitiot’s late-picking strategy, as this wine is dense and fully ripe without excessive alcohol or any dehydrated fruit character.