2013 Alain Hudelot-Noellat, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru, Les Beaux Monts

Tasted blind at the Burgfest tasting in Beaune, the 2013 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Beaumonts has a loose-knit bouquet: brambly red fruit infused with decaying autumn leaves and a touch of tea leaf. The palate is medium-bodied with supple black cherry and black plum fruit, sweet in the mouth with good volume, plus wonderful salinity here that leaves the mouth "tingling" long after the wine has departed. This is top class, one of the wines from this premier cru in this vintage. Tasted September 2016.

Bright red. Captivating, high-pitched aromas of raspberry, red cherry, blood orange and flowers, plus a note of sweet oak. At once suave and sharply delineated, showing lovely energy and perfume to its berry, maraschino cherry and floral flavors. A strong rocky quality leavens the wine's sweetness. Finishes with serious but fine-grained tannins and a flavor of crushed red cherry. My style of Burgundy!

Smells very fresh and just a touch stemmy. Small dark-berry fruit aroma. Smooth, gentle and well balanced in a lightish style. Juicy, moreish finish. (JH)