The 2015 Corton Bressandes Grand Cru, which was completely de-stemmed, has a fresh, lively and more generous bouquet than the 2015 Corton Grand Cru, the 14.5% alcohol neatly disguised. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin. It is full of pretty dark cherry and blackberry fruit, white pepper and even a touch of tangy marmalade towards the finish. This should flesh out by the time it finishes its élevage. Excellent.

(totally destemmed; this fruit reached 14.5% potential alcohol): Bright ruby-red. Aromas of black cherry and licorice show less nuance and personality than the two wines vinified with some whole clusters. Extremely primary, even youthfully unformed, with the flavors of dark berries, bitter cherry and licorice conveying an impression of medicinal reserve. The Corton is more pliant and savory and a bit less unrelievedly black in character but this wine finishes with excellent subtle, rising length and more oak-driven tannins.

Racy and polished but I don’t think it's a sufficiently huge step up from the cheaper wines from this stable. Rather raw. (JR)