2001 Corton, Grand Cru, "Corton Clos du Rois," Domaine Prince Florent de Mérode

The change at Domaine Prince Florent de Mérode is a pleasure to witness. Didier Dubois, who took over in the vineyards in 1996, has also assumed control in the cellar. The combination of healthier vines, much less use of chemicals and reduced yields, when combined with careful temperature-controlled fermentation in the new cuvérie, has resulted in a marked change in the quality and finesse of the wines. The average age of the vines here is 50 years, although replanting has occured bit by bit, with some in 1980 and a bit more in 2002 (after this harvest, of course). This is a very long wine, with deep red fruit notes, and a tremendous amount of gentle power. Less lush and less integrated in March when I tasted it than the Bressandes, but showng pretty berry notes and just an astonishing amount of length. I preferred the red fruit of the Bressandes, but the black fruit notes here show great concentration. Another phenomenal success for the domaine. (Keith Wollenberg, K&L Burgundy Buyer) Clive Coates, writing in The Vine, raves about it: "This is delicious. Full-bodied and very concentrated. Very sophisticated fruit. Excellent grip and depth. Very classy indeed. The best wine I have ever sampled here in cask by a long way. Very fine Indeed."