The 2014 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru has a fragrant bouquet, coquettish at first, then opening with wet limestone, Morello and cassis scents; it is very defined and focused though not powerful. The palate is silky smooth on the entry, beautifully poised with pure red cherries infused with orange sorbet and captivating mineralilé on the finish. This is one of the best Clos de la Roche that I have tasted from Rousseau in recent years.

(10% new oak): Bright medium red. Captivating nose offers aromas of cherry, brown spices, mocha, menthol and underbrush lifted by high notes of blood orange and flowers. Liqueur-like raspberry and spice flavors show outstanding precision and perfume thanks to a firm mineral spine. Finishes spicy, refined and very long, saturating the mouth without leaving any impression of weight. This really perks up the salivary glands. Rousseau owns a full hectare of Clos de la Roche in the lower part of the cru, just under Clos Saint-Denis, and another half a hectare higher up on the hillside.

Very attractive savoury nose already. Very juicy and lively with masses of tannin. Promising for the future. Eric Rousseau thinks this is less obviously Morey than usual. (JR)