2012 Cotes de Nuits Villages
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Tasting notes
The 2012 Côte de Nuits Villages comes from almost a hectare of vines in Brochon on the slopes that naturally produce small berries and ripens late. Always one of my favourite wines from Denis Bachelet, it has beguiling, natural brambly black fruit on the nose with briary and wild hedgerow. The palate is elegant and refined with supple tannins, perfectly judged acidity and finesse that would not look out of place in a premier cru. It just lacks a modicum of persistence - but you will not care about that because you will be too busy looking for another bottle.
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Bright red with ruby hghlights. Roasted blackberry and a hint of black olive on the nose. Silky and expansive on the palate, showing a liqueur-like ripeness but sound supporting acidity to the flavors of dark berries and Moroccan spices. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins and lingering spices.
Dark, deep red. Blackberry and licorice along with a wild gamey note that reminded me of syrah. Dense, sweet and energetic, with dark fruit flavors complicated by a hint of fresh blood. Velvety for the appellation, finishing with fine-grained tannins and a late note of licorice.
33% new oak. Quite high up the slope above Brochon from a site that he thinks should be premier cru. Big and beefy and concentrated again. Very rich and dense. Solid. Lots of stuffing. (JR)