2015 Beaune du Chateau 1er Cru Rouge

The 2015 Beaune 1er Cru Du Château comes from 17 different premier crus that are aged in barrel separately. It is a cuvée that debuted way back in 1907. It has an elegant bouquet that demands a little encouragement in the glass, black cherry intermixed with redcurrant, blood orange and even a smudge of marmalade. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin that lend this a masculine personality, a little hardness that should be addressed after racking, though it needs to develop more persistence on the finish. Not bad overall though.

(a blend of multiple premier crus): Bright medium red with ruby tones. Fresh aromas of raspberry, black cherry, minerals, smoke and mocha. Suave and concentrated, conveying a slightly medicinal quality and a gravelly nuance to its intense black cherry and chocolate flavors. This very ripe, smooth wines possesses very good depth and length. The substantial ripe tannins dust the front teeth and build.

The 2015 Beaune 1er Cru du Chateau Blanc was picked 2 and 3 September when the skins attained a golden color, and underwent the length and intensity of pressing compared to previous vintages. I found the nose rather distant, missing a personality that can be easily defined. The palate is better with fresh peach, nectarine and dried honey notes, the acidity nicely judged with tropical hints towards the finish. If the aromatics just manifest something to say, then this will be a fine Beaune Blanc...so maybe afford it 3-4 years bottle age and hopefully it will gain more personality. Dec 2016, www.robertparker.com