(aging in 50% new and 50% one-year-old oak):Dark red. Expressive aromas of plum, raspberry, smoke and earth. Sappy, serious wine with an almost liqueur-like ripeness to its red berry, spice and earth flavors. Finishes with very suave tannins and terrific length. This fruit was harvested with 12. 9% potential alcohol. DRC pulled out a portion of their vines in Corton Bressandes in 2014 and will replant them in 2017.

The 2014 Corton Grand Cru was tasted from a new barrel, although the final blend will be 50% new and 50% in those used for the 2013 vintage. It has a fresh and lively bouquet, a touch of earthiness infusing the red berry fruit, a hint of incense, a very "natural" Corton that unfurls in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin, quite tensile in the mouth, again, quite earthy with a touch of stemminess on the finish that will be integrated by the time of bottling.

Lightish cherry (but the samples are – understandably – so small and the glasses so big it is difficult to see the colour). Pretty and delicate on the nose. Refined notes of red fruit with just a touch of spice but really very quiet. On the palate this has unexpected intensity while remaining scented. The intensity is so subtle but still unmissable. Just a very slight note of cedar/stem spice but remaining sweet, the spice becoming more present in the glass. Beautifully balanced freshness and great length. The super-fine tannins are giving a subtle but definite shape to the fruit. (JH)