2015 Domaine Arlaud, Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Cru, Les Ruchots

The 2015 Morey Saint Denis 1er Cru Les Ruchots offers tightly wound, black cherry and black plum fruit on the nose that seems a little opaque at the moment. It does not want to give too much away. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, supple in the mouth with more salinity than the other premier crus for the appellation, ergo this would be my pick of the bunch because despite the nose, there is real energy and personality intact. I anticipate it landing towards the upper end of my banded score.

(vinified with 30% whole clusters): Bright, dark red. Lovely violet lift to the aromas of red and darker berries and chocolate. Juicy, fine-grained and penetrating if a bit youthfully unforthcoming today. Shows an almost medicinal quality and pepper and herb accents (no doubt largely from the stems) to its black cherry fruit. Terrific intensity and class here, and very long and classically dry on the finish.

Biodynamic. Exuberant. Deep crimson – deeper than most red burgundies. Big and round. Not much acidity or tannin but MASSES of fruit! Almost rudely fruity! (JR)