The 2016 Morey-Saint-Denis La Riotte 1er Cru is showing quite a lot of new oak on the nose, but there is the fruit behind to support it. The palate is medium-bodied, quite modern in style with plenty of new oak, but it is in sync with the fruit. There is a gorgeous velvety texture on the persistent finish. Afford it two or three more years in bottle and it should turn out very fine. Tasted blind at the 2016 Burgfest tasting. (DIAM 30 closure)

(this vineyard produced the highest crop level in 2016 at 45 hectoliters per hectare but also a lofty 13.5% potential alcohol): Bright ruby. An essence of crushed black fruits on the nose, accented by licorice and violet. A bit more relaxed in the early going than the Combe d'Orveau but without quite the density for its broad, dusty tannins. Distinctly darker than the 2015 version of this wine but without quite the same complexity. For his part, Taupenot finds these tannins more refined than usual for this cuvée .