2018 Castagnier Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits, France

Jérôme Castagnier farms 0.60 hectare of Clos de la Roche, much of it in the Les Mochamps sector of this celebrated Morey-Saint-Denis Grand Cru, where limestone- and marl-rich soils give Pinot Noir both power and mineral definition. Since taking over his family domaine in 2005, Castagnier has pushed the estate toward increasingly precise, organic-minded viticulture and a refined style of élevage. The generous 2018 vintage produced a particularly complete Clos de la Roche, with ripe cherry, red currant, blackberry, rose, violet, licorice, toasted almond, and spice unfolding across an ample palate with supple tannins and a long, poised finish. Guide Hachette singled the wine out as a Coup de Cœur for its combination of sensuality, finesse, and length.