2013 Domaine Jean Grivot, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru, Ronciere

The 2013 Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru les Roncières could be one of Etienne Grivot's finest offerings. It has a more red fruit spectrum than the Pruliers with red cherries, mint and then later, earthy aromas developing. There is good transparency here. The palate is very tense and ripe, the acidity more “cutting” than the Pruliers with more mineralité on the vivacious finish. Excellent.

Bright red. Less fruity on the nose than the premier crus from Vosne-Romanée, offering aromas of minerals, garrigue , white flowers and nutty oak. Large-scaled, round and smooth, displaying a suave texture and good vinosity. More about soil and minerals than primary fruits. Finishes with substantial tannins and an emerging rocky quality.

An attractively fresh, cool and reserved nose offers up notes of ripe red currant, floral, spice and iron-inflected earth. The medium-bodied flavors are muscular yet sleek with a lovely minerality adding a sense of refinement to the long, firm and balanced finish that displays no rusticity. The tannins are firm but well-integrated and 12 years or so of cellaring should see this stylish effort at its best.

Mid crimson. Lots of spice and dark fruit. Dark-fruited and savoury on the palate but there's a juiciness that escapes around the edges, lifting it to a spicy and energetic intensity. Terrific length. (JH)