The 2016 Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Les Malconsorts includes two-thirds whole cluster and 55% new oak. It has a deep color and a very complex bouquet with blackberry, raspberry coulis, iris and touches of woodland, all reticent at first but unfolding with time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and a fine line of acidity, fresh and vibrant with a gentle but insistent grip on the saline finish. It is a structured Malconsorts that deserves several years in bottle. This is on par with the excellent 2015 Malconsorts.

The ripe nose of red and dark berry fruit is abundantly laced with earth, spice and floral scents, all of which is trimmed in just enough wood to warrant pointing out. The muscular, intense and impressively scaled flavors possess excellent richness as well as plenty of wonderful tension before terminating in an explosive mineral-inflected finish that is quite firm and youthfully austere. This is an exceptionally serious wine that should age effortlessly for years yet isn't overtly hard. In sum, this is textbook Malconsorts.

67% whole bunch, 55% new oak. Bright dark crimson. Lots of drive on the nose. Polished. Quite intense. Very juicy and racy. Though quite dry on the end. Lightly pruney but still with lots of juice. Excellent energy. (JR)