The 2015 Vosne-Romanée Les Suchots 1er Cru has a voluminous, intense, slightly feral bouquet featuring layers of red berry fruit and possibly just a touch of brettanomyces (which for me does not detract from the overall aromatic profile). The well-focused, medium-bodied palate offers supple tannin, a crisp line of acidity and sappy blueberry and wild strawberry scents toward the sleek, silky-smooth finish. Excellent. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting.

(13.3% alcohol): Bright ruby-red. Highly nuanced nose offers musky raspberry, mocha, chocolate, spices, minerals and a hint of underbrush. Sweet, plush and wonderfully smooth, but with its opulent texture given shape by fresh acidity. Really saturates the mouth without showing any undue weight. The rising saline finish leaves behind an impression of energy. Boasts terrific density for this cool terroir .

Cask sample. Intense drive and gamey with black-fruit flavours on the nose. Racy and even a little leathery. Acidity in evidence. Lots of energy and a bit less richness than the Chaumes. (JR)