Once again there is ample menthol and wood influence present on the very fresh nose of warm earth, various red berries, plum and a pretty violet whiff. The succulent but decidedly punchy medium-bodied flavors possess a slightly more refined texture while delivering fine length on the ever-so-slightly warm finish. This could use more depth, but the development potential appears up to the task. Worth checking out.

Pale blackish crimson. Very shaded. Exotically ripe. Too much so? Almost bloody with fine polished tannins. A little gamey.

This 7.9-acre parcel faces east on a slope of colluvial deposits from the hills above, the vines growing in granitic sand over clay, producing thick-skinned grapes with relatively high acidity. One-third of this lot aged in barrel, the rest in stainless steel, coming together in an elegant wine that shows its youthful power with finesse. It fills the mouth with silken layers of green plum, pomegranate, herbal spice and floral tension, flavors that last in a complex matrix. Enjoy this over the next four or five years, while waiting for the domaine’s 2016 Les Vérillats to mellow.

With increasing maturity, this wine has become rich and open. The structure is still there as are perfumed black fruits. This wine still has several years in it, although it is ready to drink now.