Burgundy 2021 – M–N

Cask sample. Seems quite oaky on the nose, but not excessive. Though there is something a little bit hard here. Lean, even if there is some lees creaminess. Salty but slightly lean overall. Expensive. (JH)

Cask sample. Almost honeyed on the nose – plenty of citrus but with a more developed aroma. But it's cedary honey, not sweet honey. Broad and ripe on the palate but cut through by piercing acidity. Quite a contrast. But there is real intensity here. Flavourful more than elegant but packs a punch and still finishes fresh. (JH)

Mid crimson. Scented, without being pretty – so much fresh fruit. Beautifully aromatic. Fine fruit and smoothed tannins bring everything into harmony. Extremely moreish with decent length. (JH)

Cask sample. Mid crimson. Less expressive at this stage than the Fixin but still aromatic with dark-red fruit plus an inviting layer of crushed stones and the merest hint of peony. Finest of dry tannins. An elegant, balanced Morey. (JH)

Cask sample. Mid crimson. Fragrant with small, wild red berries – fruity, but not sweetly so. Rich, deep and velvety on the palate. Firm but rounded tannins encircle the pure fruit leading to a long, generous finish. (JH)

Smells a little riper than the Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru Lavaut St-Jacques. Just a little bit stewed, which may be the sample, not the wine. That same quality on the palate, though there is clearly also plenty of fresh fruit. Not classic Chambolle (for me) though it does have a floral lift. Tannins a little bit intrusive on the finish. I give this the benefit of the doubt. (JH)

Lightish crimson. More scented than the Chambolle, more red-fruited. Pretty, with a touch of oak sweetness. Sweetly oaky on the palate but with the fruit depth to carry it. A good wine but overpriced. (JH)