2014 Vosne Romanee Beaumonts

The 2014 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru les Beaux Monts comes across as quite "placid" on the nose, holding something back perhaps, certainly not as outgoing as some of Nicolas Potel's other 2014s. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, ripe red and black fruit on the entry, a pinch of white pepper and clove, a gentle grip on the finish. This is a comparatively understated, almost nonchalant Vosne-Romanée, but it draws you back for another sip.

(40% vendange entier ; 60% new oak): Bright, moderately saturated red. High-pitched perfume of redcurrant, raspberry and spices, with the oak element apparent today. Juicy, firm and backward, with the alluring raspberry and floral flavors enlivened by mineral energy but also showing a strong oakiness in the early going. Finishes juicy and firmly tannic. This very young wine will need time in bottle to show more flesh, sweetness and personality, but it appears to have all the elements for a positive evolution.

Dark crimson. Fruit a bit smudgy. Round, sweet fruit. Very big and round. A heady cocktail! Tightens up at the end. Needs a bit of time and for the moment it’s a bit out of kilter. (JR)