2014 Maison Roche de Bellene, Corton Grand Cru, Le Rognet et Corton

The 2014 Corton Le Rognet Grand Cru is slightly higher-toned with dark fruit than the 2014 Corton, though it offers the same precision and detail. The palate is medium-bodied with firm but fine tannin, dark berries mixed with balsamic and spicy notes, quite a complex Corton Le Rognet with impressive persistence on the masculine finish. Give this 3-4 years in bottle and drink the Corton in the meantime.

Healthy dark red. Very ripe, soil-inflected aromas of raspberry, smoked meat, underbrush and spicy oak. In a distinctly savory style, showing good energy and peppery lift to its raspberry, redcurrant and earth flavors. Not particularly sweet but nicely delineated and alive. The wine's appeal, however, was slightly reduced by a strong oak element and some dusty wood tannins on the back end.

'Corton is cheaper than many premiers crus! The quality has increased recently.' Transparent ruby. Heady nose with great charm. Readable, just a hint of beetroot on the finish but an attractive round fruity drink inside some framework. The nose is the best bit. (JR)