2016 Joseph Drouhin, Beaune Premier Cru, Aux Cras

The 2016 Beaune 1er Cru Les Cras had been racked and was due to be bottled in December. Apparently, the malolactic took a year to complete. It has a fresh and vibrant bouquet with red cherries and crushed strawberry fruit, vivacious and playful. The palate is well balanced with fine, quite rigid tannin that encase the dense red berry fruit and the sappy, focused finish. Enjoy this over the next 6 to 8 years.

(vinified with 20% whole clusters): Medium red. Redcurrant, raspberry and soil tones are a bit muffled today by a touch of reduction. Very easygoing Beaune premier cru with an enticing restrained sweetness but only modest energy and grip. Finishes with broad, dusty tannins and decent length.

Cask sample. 10% whole cluster. 15 months in oak. Mid purplish crimson. Lifted and spiced dark-red fruit, tangy like cranberry on the nose. On the palate, a bit leaner than I expected, tight, dry and with very, very fine tannic texture. Falls away a little on the fresh finish. (JH)