Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru 'Malconsorts', Domaine du Clos Frantin, 2016

"A relatively deeply pitched nose offers plenty of both floral and spice elements along with notes of plum, dark cherry and a touch of Asian-style tea. As is usually the case there is excellent volume and a taut muscularity to the sappy broad-shouldered flavors that flash superb depth and persistence. Note well though that this classic example is definitely built-to-age and is going to need at least most of a decade to be approachable. Recommended."

"The 2016 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Malconsorts was picked on 30 September, matured in 40% new oak with 35% whole bunch. It has a sophisticated bouquet with cranberry and raspberry fruit, wilted violets and blood orange, gaining more and more refinement with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, saturated tannin, a crisp bead of acidity and then it clams up toward the peppery finish. It will requite four or five years in bottle but it should turn out to be a fine, if not top tier, Malconsorts."