Burgundy 2016 – Ma–Me

Cask sample. Reductive drainage aromas. Assuming these subside there is pleasant red fruit here, though nothing hugely remarkable. (RH)

Cask sample. Simple, light nose and palate with ripe but rudimentary fruit. Light tannic fur on the finish. (RH)

Cask sample. Compressed and simple on the palate with a smokier aftertaste than their other premiers crus. Tight, grainy, lean and light in structure. (RH)

Cask sample. Smoky nose with gentle red fruit that just holds up to the oak flavours. Fine tannic texture which is soft yet grippy and lovely mouth-watering acidity. Long and expressive on the finish. (RH)

Violets, blackcurrant, superbly slinky texture and long persistence on the palate. The fruit is reasonably subtle for grand cru, but there is no doubting the quality of the flavours – which are refined and polished and cerebral. (RH)

Cask sample. Mid crimson. Slightly leafy dark-red fruit. Light and fragrant and really pretty on the palate. Overall on the lighter side but the tannins are gentle enough to harmonise with the overall stature of this wine. Gentle but fresh pleasure. A good example of 2016’s charm. (JH)

Cask sample. Mid crimson. Lightly peppery dark-red fruit. Gentle, chalky texture. A light hand in the cellar here, making the most of the more delicate fruit. Chalky finish but not particularly long. (JH)

Cask sample. Mid crimson. Fragrant with sweet cherries, lifted out of the glass. Ripe but fresh. Drier on the palate than I expected, not as sweet-fruited as the aroma suggested. A bit dry and chalky on the finish. I fear the tannins will outlive the fruit if you age this too long. (JH)

A blend of four premier crus.
Cask sample. Mid cherry. Lively and a touch stemmy on the nose but with the fruit still sweet and fresh. Firm and chewy on the palate, a structured Morey and not as approachable as some 2016s but all in balance for a good life ahead. (JH)

Quite rich but with admirable tension. This really works very well. And is not ridiculously expensive. GV (JR)

A terroir quite close to Pommard, apparently.
Very deep crimson. Very ‘cool’ smelling. But for an Hautes Côtes there is more ripeness and intensity than usual. Slightly raw finish. Drying finish. (JR)

More ruby and less blue than the Hautes Côtes. Light and smudgy and flattering with a baking-spice note. Slightly drying finish. (JR)

Cask sample. Cooked cherries giving a rich and full style on the palate. Modern, forthright fruit with good spiciness on the finish. (RH)

Cask sample. Tight, fine-grained tannins give this an austere mouthfeel with plenty of dark fruit and a glossy varnish note to finish. Quite challenging to drink young, but isn't short of fruit power. (RH)

Heady, flattering nose. Quite intense! Then rough tough tannins on the palate for the moment but lots of vigour. May blossom as it ages in bottle? (JR)

Again, ripe, intense nose. In this case followed by ripe, rather luscious palate. Not the freshest but it certainly delivers ripe fruit. Would be a great restaurant buy for early delivery of pleasure. (JR)

Cask sample. Smoky coffee aroma with much more openness than their Grains Fins, giving a more graceful and refined structure. Well-defined cherry fruit, savoury but not austere on the finish. (RH)

Dense, fruity and not exactly sophisticated but chock full of effort and personality. Fresh finish and presumably available only in the tinest quantity? Medium length. Good stuff! (JR)

Cask sample. Powerful new-oak spice on the nose, dark cherry fruit and a lot of smoky aroma through to the finish. Substantial and full-bodied without being overbearing. Needs time to knit together; the oak and the fruit are quite distinct at present. (RH)

Not that much nose but beautifully polished tannins and vigorous fruit with a certain orange-zest character. Nothing overdone. Recommended! (JR)

Strong floral character, which seems almost unnatural on the nose – like pot pourri. Better balance on the palate, with green apple and pleasant yoghurt character giving breadth. The floral note returns on the finish – this is distinctive if not quite conventional. (RH)

More dilute than expected for premier cru, with a slightly underripe quality. Their villages Chablis is a safer bet. (RH)

Juicy and tight and youthful. Intense green-apple fruit with tangy herbal notes on the finish. Layered and ageworthy. (RH)

Crisp green fruit, punchy acidic frame, but there doesn't seem to be enough fruit concentration. More texture than flavour. (RH)

Creamy palate with a touch of vanilla spice, and ripe green fruit – but the overall concentration is rather lacking for grand cru. Plenty of furry texture makes this a good food match, but it doesn't scale the heights of the best grands crus. (RH)

Lemon and crushed herbs and an attractive stony note. This is lovely: fresh, bone, bone dry and tight. A great aperitif but with enough substance for the table. GV (JH)