Clos Saint Denis, Roche de Bellene 2011

Tasted blind at the Burgundy 2011 horizontal tasting in Beaune. The Clos Saint Denis Grand Cru 2011 has a very pure bouquet with intense black cherries, blackcurrant pastilles, crushed violets and crème de cassis: modern in style and beautifully executed. The palate is medium-bodied with svelte tannins. This feels plush and rounded in the mouth, and though there is not great depth, there is fine focus and harmony plus a very long tail on the finish with notes of blackberry, white pepper and a touch of sage. There is still some unresolved oak here, but give this 5 or 6 years in bottle and you will have a splendid Clos Saint Denis.

A subtle trace of wood sets off the spicy plum, dried floral, earth, game, smoke and tea aromas that display just a trace of menthol. The velvety and very suave medium-bodied flavors possess good phenolic ripeness and outstanding length on the balanced, deep and delicious finish. This isn't an especially powerful example of the appellation but I like the balance and grace of this very pretty effort. If it can add depth with time in bottle this may very well merit a higher score.