2002 Domaine Michel Noëllat et Fils Vosne-Romanée Les Suchots 1er Cru

($76) Deep, bright red. Intriguing aromas of strawberry, violet face powder, pepper and sweet oak. Fat, plump and on the soft side, with a burst of red fruit, leather and smoke flavors, as well as a resiny note. Seems a bit advanced for the vintage, but comes across as fresher than a few of this producer's other 2002s. Finishes with sweet tannins and good length.

Author: Stephen Tanzer

Issue: March/April 2005

This is a good deal more serious and less expressive with sappy black fruit flavors that offer a delightful velvety quality on the long finish. A solid effort.

Issue: 1st Quarter, 2004