2019 Domaine Charles Audoin Marsannay Clos de Jeu

Domaine Charles Audoin was formed in 1972 by Charles and his oenologist wife Marie-Francoise, starting with three hectares in Marsannay. Their holding has now grown to around 14 hectares that captures some of the best parcels in Marsannay. Their son Cyril joined his father in 2000, and is now in charge of both vineyard and winemaking activities for the Domaine. Cyril is increasingly focused on vineyard health, to deliver wines with pure varietal expression and a sense of place. They are among the most serious wines from the area, and while juicy and approachable young, have the capacity to age gracefully for many years.

Clos de Jeu is located at the Couchey end of the Marsannay sector on the mid slope around the 300m contour. Wines from here can produce a relatively muscular and powerful Marsannay with good tannic structure.
Excellent depth of colour featuring a dark red black shaded core and a dark red hue. Captivating aromas of red to dark cherries, violets and ripe wild strawberries intoxicate the senses with elements of forest floor, spicy vanillin cedar and Provincial herbs adding further interest. Light and elegant yet simultaneously rich and understated in its power, the palate is supplely caressed with a mix of red to dark cherry and wild strawberry fruits. Vanillin cedar, infusions of provincial herbs, light forest floor and spice lie beneath the delicious layers of fruit. Beautifully proportioned in the mouth with silky tannins and ample freshness it finishes with exceptional persistence, depth and flesh.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 13%

Other Reviews....
Still quite tightly wound, this rather generous Marsannay has tons of fine tannins that are very neatly wrapped in ripe black cherries and blackberries, the power building impressively at the long, refined finish.
95 Points
Stuart Pigott - jamessuckling.com

The 2019 Marsannay Clos de Jeu offers up aromas of orange rind, cherries, cassis, red plums and mint. Medium to full-bodied, layered and gourmand, it's fleshy and concentrated, with lovely purity of fruit and a long, mouthwatering finish.
91-93 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Jan 2021)

An attractively spicy nose combines notes of both red and dark berries with those of earth and a hint of humus character. There is once again a very generous mouthfeel to the medium-bodied flavors that still manage to be nicely precise on the more complex and slightly firmer finale. This is really quite good and worth considering. Drink 2026+.
90-93 points
Allen Meadows - Burghound