2014 Corton Bressandes

Good full red. Pungent, musky whole-cluster notes of pepper, spices and sandalwood accent raspberry, smoke and underbrush; the vendange entier element dominates in the early going but in a very sexy way. Supple red berry, smoked meat and underbrush flavors show lovely definition and an alluring sweetness, not to mention very good depth. This is much smoother than it appeared to be last year when I tasted it just after the bottling. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins and noteworthy rising length.

Light to mid cherry. Spicy, perhaps a touch reduced, giving a smoky note. A gentle oaky sweetness too. Refined, rather delicate texture with a lovely fresh lightness of touch. Persistent and very fresh. Moreish and you won’t need to wait too long. (JH)

(vinified with 70% whole clusters and aged in 20% new oak):Healthy dark red. Quite reduced and folded in on itself following the bottling the week before my visit. Densely packed, very dry and a bit tough for the year. In a spicy, gripping, but very tight style, showing little obvious generosity today. This concentrated, adamantly dry wine finishes with substantial dusty tannins. The soil here features less than a foot of clay over mother rock, according to de Nicolay, who says the wine normally shows a smoothness from its southern exposition but is also firmly structured.