Beautiful nose of wild raspberries, cherries, sandalwood, cloves, orange fruit and cardamom. So harmonious on the palate, with very fine, seamless tannins and fresh acidity, all integrated. Medium-bodied, long and full of energy. Drink or hold. SP

The 2021 Beaune Clos des Mouches Rouge 1er Cru is one of my picks from Drouhin this year. Wonderful, vivacious red fruit leap from the glass, hints of sous-bois and dried rose petal. The palate is beautifully balanced with fine mineralité , demonstrating more complexity than the preceding Beaune Cras with more grip on the finish. Superb.

Cask sample. Lightish crimson. Intense, lifted, vibrant red fruit with a hint of oak adding a more savoury aspect. Beaune’s red-fruit purity showing through. That savoury side is more apparent on the palate. Firm, gently chewy, but smoothed, tannins. Succulent and long. Embryonic but showing its ready harmony and likely longevity. (JH)