A unicorn wine: Clos de Tart 2012

Clos de Tart 2012

Ah Clos de Tart. For so long an enigma, but now more like a unicorn wine…

I’ve been lucky to try a few vintages of this unique Grand Cru Monopole and this 2012 surely rates as one of the absolute best.

What makes this particular wine – and many of the recent vintages – so very good is the polish and perfection. There’s not a single hair out of place, the meticulousness reflected in every way. You get the impression that the vineyard is perfectly manicured and the sorting table staffed constantly – It’s quite new-world in its spotless health.

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I actually tasted this amongst a mixed bag of other 2012 Burgundy and it looked quite different – more purple coloured, for a start. The nose is noticeably whole bunchy, with spicy, raspberry and white pepper, if a bit closed. It’s the palate where the magic happens though, with an unmatched velvety flow of red plum fruit and ultra fine fine tannins. It feels sorted, perfect and well, perfectly delicious.

At first I thought this was too perfect actually. Too clean. But the closer you look, the longer it lingers, the more you can’t help but marvel at this.

It’s still too youthful to be at its peak, but this is legendary wine.

Stunning. The score may even end up higher.

Details: Cork, $950
Tasted: March 2015 at a trade tasting. I went back for seconds.
Best drinking: 2015-2030+
Score: 19/20, 96/100
Would I buy it? Will you buy it for me?
Buy online: Wine Searcher