2015 Domaine de Montille, Beaune Premier Cru, Les Perrieres

(two-thirds vendange entier ; 25% new oak): Bright, full red. Distinctly limestone-driven aromas of raspberry, earth and smoky minerality. Silky, sappy and impressively concentrated, with black raspberry and cooler cherry flavors framed and enlivened by brisk acidity. The serious, broad tannins arrive late, allowing the wine's fruit flavors to carry well on the aftertaste.

The 2015 Beaune Les Perrières 1er Cru has the quintessential full, fruit-driven bouquet of the vintage, although it does not quite deliver the precision of its peers. The palate is well balanced but there is a sense of hardness on the muscular entry; perhaps this was just a little over-macerated in the winery. Give it three or four years in bottle to see if it will gain some charm; it is certainly not out of the question. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting. (DIAM 30 closure)