2021 Domaine Jean Grivot, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru, Les Beaux Monts

The 2021 Vosne-Romanée Les Beaux Monts 1er Cru is a little earthier on the nose compared to the Aux Brûlées, with a touch more sous-bois and cedary scents. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, citrus-fresh, very tensile and with more salinity on the finish compared directly with the Brûlées. Hints of graphite emerge with aeration, gaining complexity all the time. Sublime.

£200 a bottle in bond! No wonder my pour is so small. Cask sample. Pale garnet. Sweet and easy and gentle. It's certainly made the most of the vintage character. I wish I could go back and wallow in and describe the nuances but I will have to console myself with all the ricocheting flavours on the finish. I have to control my anti-gouging instincts and report that this is a very good wine. (JR)

Cask sample. Medium-pale ruby. Moving into the grand-cru zone here with extra depth and vigour. Refined, silky, velvety structure. Splendid. (MH)