2017 Serafin Pere et Fils, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru, Fonteny

The 2017 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Fonteny has also turned out well, marrying aromas of cherries and wild berries with notions of toasty oak, raw cocoa and espresso roast in a complex bouquet. Medium to full-bodied, open and charming, its ample core of succulent fruit largely conceals its velvety tannins.

The 2017 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Fontenys 1er Cru offers a lot of smoky bacon on the nose, which is quite reduced and possibly has some brettanomyces issues, occluding the terroir. The almost mouth-puckering palate follows suit with drying tannins. Severe and lacking fruit on the finish. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2017 tasting.

Mid to light cherry red. Seductive red-cherry fruit aroma, lovely and open even now and just a hint of peppery spice. More subdued on the palate than on the nose, the tannins corseting the fruit. Dry textured and elegant. (JH)