2011 Domaine d'Eugenie, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru, Aux Brulees

The 2011 Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Aux Brulees has a more cohesive and harmonious bouquet than the Clos d’Eugenie with pure red currant and raspberry scents, lifted mineralite and fine delineation. The palate is velvety smooth on the entry with succulent dark cherries, cassis and blueberry that lead to a silky, smooth finish that lingers long in the mouth. This is very seductive. Drink 2015-2025. Importer: Country Vintners (US) and Berry Brother & Rudd (UK)

(25% vendange entier; was racked last spring following its malolactic fermentation as "it always gets reduced," according to Mallard): Good dark red with ruby tones. A whiff of reduction dissipated to reveal redcurrant and pungent rocky aromas. Silky on the attack, then sweet, plush and intense in the middle, with musky redcurrant, raspberry and smoked meat flavors complicated by pepper, herbs and iodine. A bit more masculine on the back end, finishing with firm but suave tannins and lingering notes of dark berries and minerals.