2015 Benjamin Leroux, Clos de la Roche Grand Cru

The 2015 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru has a fragrant, perfumed bouquet with hints of blueberry, vanilla, violet and crushed strawberry, the mineralité tucked in just underneath, all with superb harmony and focus. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, saturated tannin, crisp acidity, impressive depth with a caressing, gentle finish that belies its power. This is an outstanding 2015 that seems so effortless and yet delivers the horsepower you expect from this propitious vineyard. A quite brilliant wine.

(13.5% alcohol; also 100% destemmed; from the same supplier as the Clos Saint-Denis): Bright, dark red. Enticing floral lift to the aromas of berries and iron. Fat, plush and sweet on the palate, with a rich if slightly medicinal flavor of raspberry liqueur. This very round wine has the stuffing to support its substantial ripe tannins. Finishes very long but without great finesse.