2013 Domaine de Bellene, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru, Les Suchots

The 2013 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Suchots has a very fragrant bouquet with beautifully integrated oak. This captures the essence of Suchots. The palate is medium-bodied with silky tannins, symmetrical and quite sophisticated, even if it does not quite have the persistence of a “bigger” millésime. Still, this is a superb Suchots from Nicolas Potel.

Good full, bright red. Deep, chalky aromas of dark raspberry, tapenade and saline minerality. A pure expression of soil, showing terrific inner-mouth tension and minerality to the intense flavors of brooding dark raspberry, pepper and spices. This wonderfully vibrant, energetic wine finishes with firm but suave tannins and a repeating peppery accent. Classic 2013 in style, and built to repay aging.

Bright crimson. Light nose and very crackling with a still-obvious framework. Grainy and dry on the end. Nice balance and weight. But it needs a heck of a time to take on flesh and round out. All carpentry at the moment. (JR)