2013 Domaine Bruno Clavelier, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru, Aux Brulees Vieilles Vignes

(from south-facing vines planted on calcaire in a cold combe , not unlike the Combe Brülée): Healthy bright red. Captivating perfume to the aromas of black raspberry, rose petal, crushed rock and minerals. Wonderfully silky on entry, but with terrific energy and inner-mouth tension to the pungent red cherry and red raspberry flavors. Densely packed, vibrant wine with a lovely rising finish featuring suave tannins and terrific length. The crop level here was reportedly just 30 hectoliters per hectare.

The 2013 Vosne Romanée 1er Cru Aux Brûlées, which sees one-third new oak, has a tightly knit bouquet with hints of licorice infusing the mixture of red and black fruit, again, the oak nicely integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with pastille-like purity, very fine and almost weightless tannin that means this really just glides across the mouth, with just sufficient edginess on the finish to maintain tension. This is a sensual Aux Brûlées.