🏰 The 2011 Burgundy vintage was challenging, marked by a warm spring, early budburst and flowering, followed by a severe heatwave and subsequent grape loss. However, skilled producers like Arlaud handled it masterfully, resulting in wines with admirable depth. Domaine Arlaud's Clos de la Roche Grand Cru 2011 is a Pinot Noir from a 0.43-hectare parcel in the lieu-dit Mochamps, known for its 35+ year old vines. This biodynamically certified wine is a testament to the resilience of Burgundian viniculture in a year of contrasts. 【 Biodynamic Grand Cru from a challenging vintage, showcasing admirable depth and longevity 】 This gorgeous wine offers open red cherries and wild strawberry scents on a pure and feminine bouquet with superb vigor. It is medium-bodied with fleshy, ripe, and rounded tannins, and a racy acidity that gradually gains momentum, leading to a vital, vibrant, spicy, and feisty finish. Other notes describe spice elements with earth and tar-like nuances, red and dark berry fruit, imposing volume and weight, rich large-scaled flavors, a suave and round mouthfeel, and a long, very firm, and admirably complex finish. It can also be voluptuous, exuding ripe plum and black cherry aromas, with notes of eucalyptus, earth, and leather, possessing a silky yet dense texture, good tannic grip, and freshness. 🍴 This savory and classic red Burgundy is an excellent pairing for duck, goose, game birds, and veal. It also complements Italian sausage skewers. 🥂 The 2011 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru is clearly built to age, with admirable depth and a very long finish, which is quite unusual for this vintage. While it needs another few years to completely coalesce, it can also be drunk now with pleasure, making it a superb choice for a special occasion or for further cellaring.