The 2018 Vosne-Romanée Aux Brûlée 1er Cru has a well-defined bouquet with raspberry and cranberry fruit, hints of iodine and a subtle pressed violet note, slightly confit in style. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy red fruit. This Premier Cru has a decent spine, fine grip with just a little dustiness on the finish that I hope will be addressed with bottle age. It does become a bit smudged with aeration in the glass, denting a bit of my optimism. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2018 red tasting.

On the limestone of Prémeaux. 60% whole bunch. Four new barrels out of seven. Barrel sample. Deep cherry red. Sweeter red fruit on the nose compared with the Clos d’Eugénie though the cold temperature of the sample makes it less expressive (the cellar is very cold and I am glad to be sitting just outside it). On the palate, this has the depth and fruit sweetness of a riper vintage allied to the super-fine texture of light extraction. A hint of wood on the palate, beautifully balanced and elegant. (JH)