2015 Domaine Jean Grivot, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru, Aux Reignots

There is one and a half barrels, around 450 bottles, of the elusive 2015 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Reignots this year. There is one new barrel used here that Etienne uses to ferment the Chardonnay for three weeks to reduce the wood impact. Often one of my favorite releases from the estate, it has a captivating bouquet that offers exquisite delineation: mineral-rich red and black fruit, laser-like precision, chalk and a touch of quince jelly. The palate is medium-bodied with more black fruit on the entry, it offers orange peel and tangy marmalade notes as it opens up towards the finish, which reveals great substance and weight in the mouth. Like the other cuvées, it will require several years in bottle but the energy here to warrant long-term ageing is palpable already.