Domaine de Courcel Grand Clos des Épenots 1er Cru 2011

At more than a decade, this wine is still shockingly youthful; given the vintage, it is surprisingly robust. There is a ripe plummy fruit here with hints of thyme and a touch of lavender that is very engaging. The texture is dense but not astringent, with more body than one would expect from 2011. The grapes were given a cold soak and then fermented entirely as whole clusters. Post-fermentation, the wine aged for nearly two years in cask (one-third new). Drinking window: 2022-2050. Score – 95. (Charles Curtis, MW, decanter.com, Dec. 14, 2022)