2018 Domaine Charles Audoin Marsannay Clos du Roy

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 du Roy is the northern most lieu-dit of Marsannay, and the relatively steep south-east facing vineyard sits above the town of Chenove. Soils here are light red with an element of sand, sitting atop a bedrock of hard limestone. Wines from Clos du Roy can be more elegant, aromatic, and approachable.

Other Reviews....
Wafting from the glass with lovely aromas of cherries, wild berries, peonies and orange rind, the 2018 Marsannay Clos du Roy is medium to full-bodied, rich and enveloping, with a fleshy core of fruit, succulent acids and good depth at the core. A touch richer and headier than the 2017 rendition, this is a gourmand Marsannay from Audoin.
90-92 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Feb 2020)

There is a liqueur-like character to the red cherry, spice and softly earth-scented nose. The supple, round and relatively forward flavors possess both good density and sappy texture, all wrapped in a bright and mildly tangy finish that really firms up as it sits on the palate. This is good but it's not at the level of the best here.
89-91 points
Allen Meadows - Burghound