2019 Alain Hudelot-Noellat, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru, Les Beaux Monts

The 2019 Vosne-Romanée Les Beaumonts 1er Cru has a little more fruit than Noëllat's Aux Brûlées. Not quite as well-defined and more exotic in style, this betrays the vintage more than the terroir at the moment. The palate has a seductive, velvety texture and is quite sumptuous, with no hard edges to be found. Predominantly red-fruited, with a patina of oak that needs to be assimilated on the finish, this is perhaps just a little more turbocharged than I would have liked, and it doesn't match its showing from barrel. Tasted blind at the Burgfest tasting.

Cask sample. Deep purplish crimson. Leaf mulch on the relatively discreet nose that suggests there is considerable interest in the depths. Very ripe, sweet palate entry with fruit reminiscent of glacé cherries. Layers of flavour and particularly supple tannins here. Sweet rather than super-energetic but should certainly deliver pleasure. (JR)