2012 Domaine Claude Dugat Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru
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Tasting notes
The 2012 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru from Claude Dugat is in deep hibernation, but its quality is nonetheless apparent, its reticent nose of black cherry, coniferous forest floor and dried flowers introducing a medium-full, sappy wine with a deep core of crunchy fruit, a polished chassis of chalky tannins and a long, penetrating and juicy finish. That this has already seemingly metabolized its new oak augers very well for its future development. Count on cellaring this until 2022 at the bare minimum.
Critic scores
Neal Martin
William Kelley, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Bright, dark red. Aromas of black cherry, minerals and menthol hint at a liqueur-like ripeness. Fat and plush on entry, then minerally in the middle, showing a good bit of smoky oak. The oak tannins give the finish a stricter quality than the village wine, but the persistent fruit spreads out impressively to coat the palate. Bertrand Dugat cut the percentage of new oak for this wine from 100% to 50% beginning in 2014, and this vintage might also have benefited from a bit less lumber.
Good dark red. Cooler aromas of dark cherry, spicy licorice, menthol and mocha. Juicy, spicy and bright on the palate, showing good reserve to its youthfully imploded berry flavors. Juicy, edgy wine with a light touch. This will need at least a few years of bottle aging.
The 2012 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru is beautifully lifted in the glass, with sweet floral and spice notes that add an extra dimension of fruit to the rich Dugat texture. Here the fruit is distinctly red toned. A crystalline, wonderfully translucent finish laced with smoke, iron and a host of mineral-inflected nuances round things out in style. In 2012, the Gevrey 1er Cru is striking.