The 2017 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru comes from three lieux-dits : Les Charmes, Les Petits-Monts and Aux Malconsorts. It has a very composed bouquet of ample ripe raspberry, crushed strawberry, veins of blue fruit and a touch of crushed stone. The palate is well balanced with supple tannin and a fine bead of acidity. A light oyster shell note pokes up toward the harmonious, velvety finish. This is going to be very seductive.

Aromas of blueberries, candied cherries and lemon zest. Full-bodied yet tight and focused on the palate with a beautiful balance of tannins and a crisp finish. Needs a year or two to come together. Better after 2021.

Aromas of red berries, spices and sweet soil tones introduce the 2017 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru, a medium-bodied wine with an open-knit core and chewy structuring tannins. Perhaps it was simply out of sorts when I tasted it, but it certainly doesn't appear to possess the same depth and incipient complexity as the lovely 2016 rendition.

Cask sample. Mid to light crimson. Pretty red fruits soar from the glass. Fruity but not sweet-smelling. Deep and rich on the palate with a fuller body than many in this line up so far. Tannins are definite but already rounded if a little chewy now. (JH)