2018 Joseph Drouhin, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru, Les Petits Monts

The 2018 Vosne-Romanée Les Petits Monts 1er Cru comes from a parcel that lies just above Richebourg and receives 50% whole bunch. Now this is one cru that comes across a little trop on the nose, displaying a soupçon of volatility. The palate is sweet on the entry with dark cherries, loganberry and sea salt notes. Lush and powerful, though missing a bit of finesse and precision on the finish.

Just above Richebourg. 50% whole bunch. Cask sample. Mid cherry red. Pure, sweet, ripe red-cherry aroma. Very ripe on the palate, almost a little raisined. And lacks some freshness though it has generosity and smooth, if dense, tannins. The palate is ripe but a little fresher. I wasn’t sure if this was to do with the sample or the style of the vintage but when I asked Véronique Drouhin, she thought the sample was corrected and wondered if they should have picked a little earlier – though they were waiting for full ripeness of the tannins, she explained. (JH)