2021, Domaine Clos de Tart, MOREY-SAINT-DENIS, 1er Cru, 'La Forge de Tart'

The 2021 Morey-Saint-Denis La Forge de Tart 1er Cru has a light, earthy, slightly leafy bouquet that reflects the growing season. There's just a little reduction on the nose. The medium-bodied palate has a touch of bitterness on the entry and light black fruit with a linear finish that leans towards the drier side. Drink over the next five or six years. 88 Neal Martin, Vinous (2023).

The 2021 Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru La Forge de Tart derives from a 2011 planting of young vines, complemented by two parcels that are being grafted over to superior genetic material and two blocks on the Bonnes-Mares side that Noli elected to declassify this year. Bursting with aromas of sweet red berries, plums, spices and peonies, it's medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with a seamless, enveloping, attractively complete profile. This has turned out very well, reflecting the domaine's rigorous selection policy more than the challenges of the vintage. 91-93 William Kelley, Wine Advocate (2023).

The premier cru ‘Forge de Tart’ is a big step up from the village Morey. More serious fruit intensity on the nose and better density on the palate complement the lively fresh tannins and lingering finish. The 2021 vintage has fruit from the blocks ‘Jeanniard’ and ‘Plantation 2005’ that go into the grand vin in most years. 25% of the grapes are fermented as whole clusters, and 45 – 50% of the casks are new. 93 Charles Curtis MW, Decanter (2022).

Mid crimson colour. A light dark red fruit, just a little gamey. Middleweight, with the wilder side of Morey to the fore, all in red fruit, a touch of liquorice behind, savoury, fine tannins, grows in stature across the palate. Very smartly crafted. **** 93 Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy (2023).

Here there is enough reduction to push the fruit to the background so be sure to give it a thorough aeration if you're going to crack a bottle young. Otherwise, there is reasonable volume and richness to the medium-bodied flavours that possess a silky texture on the vibrant and caressing mid-palate that contrasts somewhat with the youthfully austere, balanced and acceptably long finale. This understated effort is not super dense, and could use better depth, so at least a few years of keeping should prove helpful. 88 Allen Meadows, Burghound (2024).

Drinking Window: 2025 - 2032