2005 Clos St Denis
By Domaine Dujac
2005 Clos St Denis from Domaine Dujac, Burgundy, France
The 2005 vintage in Burgundy is a mosaic of climatic fortune, painted with the strokes of meticulous viticulture and expert winemaking. It was a year that blessed the terroir with near-perfect conditions, leading to wines of exceptional quality. Among them, the 2005 Clos St Denis from Domaine Dujac is a splendid exemplar, articulating the pinnacle of what this storied region can offer.
Age-Worthy Elegance: A Vintage to Marvel
In this remarkable year, the combination of a warm summer and a cool, unhurried end to the growing season enabled the Pinot Noir grapes to reach an equilibrium of ripeness and acidity rarely achieved. The produce from the Grand Cru vineyards of Clos St Denis benefitted immensely, yielding wines that were both powerful yet marked by a finesse that promised significant ageing potential.
Tasting Notes: Structure and Complexity Entwined
The 2005 Clos St Denis vibrates with an intensity of finesse. Its bouquet teems with ripe cherries and violets, while undertones of earthy forest floor arise upon deeper contemplation. A compelling minerality courses through this wine, indicative of its noble roots in Clos St Denis terroir, coupled with an esteemed lineage crafted by Domaine Dujac, weaving an intricate lacework of aromas and flavours.
Upon sipping, one finds robust tannins that suggest longevity, yet they are refined enough not to overshadow the wine's ephemeral fruit notes or its silken texture—a testament to the exceptional harvest and deft craftsmanship. A nuanced tapestry of spice and a seamless oak integration impart both warmth and structure to this exquisite offering.
Fine wine investors are wise to set their sights on such a stand-out vintage; its balance between immediate gratification and evolutionary promise makes it a cornerstone addition for any discerning collector's portfolio. The 2005 Clos St Denis eloquently bespeaks its pedigree, certifying itself as one of the most compelling narratives birthed from the vineyards of Burgundy in that year—a tale capturing both the artistry and climatic symphony of the season.
In sum, we find in this 2005 Clos St Denis a fusion of Domaine Dujac’s adroit handling and Burgundy's climatic grace—a paragon amongst its vintage peers.
Current market price
£24,150.00
12x75cl
Highest score
95
POP score
1610
Scores and tasting notes
Intensely smoky, and with concentrated black cherry, herb, and brown spice aromas, the Dujac 2005 Clos St.-Denis comes onto the palate quite firm, palpably dense, its structural rectitude, fruit pit notes, stony mineral shadings, and abundant fine tannins all somewhat alleviated by ample glycerin and complemented by the sheer sappy juiciness of its ripe black fruits. This is positively fetal when compared with the Clos de la Roche, but exhibits no less remarkable sheer length. Certainly we’re looking at another wine with more than a decade’s developmental potential. The already rich array of crus at Domaine Dujac has recently been augmented on two fronts. The purchase (along with de Montille) of the Societe Civile du Clos de Thorey (Thomas-Moillard) has brought them a raft of choice parcels including three new grand cru holdings (for a staggering total of eight). Meanwhile, they have expanded their negociant arm (with control over harvest and green harvest a prerequisite) to supplement in particular their volumes of village-level wine. (Those wines – labeled “Dujac Fils & Pere” – are signified in the above listing with “FP”. In fact, due to a legal technicality, the 2005 vintage wines from the properties newly acquired by the domaine – but not subsequent vintages – will also read “Fils & Pere” rather than “Domaine”.) Even with California-trained oenologist Diana Seysses (nee Snowden) joining her husband Jeremy and in-laws Jacques and Alec, and with a new winery (though at the old address) I wonder at how they are able to keep up with the magnitude of their responsibilities. Yet despite so many parcels and vines new to them this year, the results are consistently outstanding and at times astounding. Much of the vinification – increasingly as one goes up the hierarchy of crus – was of whole clusters. Malos finished (finally) by November and the wines were bottle in December and January. Importer: The Sorting Table, Napa, CA; tel.(415) 491 4724
David Schildknecht - The Wine Advocate, 28 June 2007