2005 Corton Bressandes

Noticeable if not intrusive wood frames brooding but elegant dark berry fruit aromas that introduce serious, concentrated, detailed and mineral-driven full-bodied flavors underpinned by firm tannins and a borderline robust quality to the admirably long and youthfully austere finish. This is a big and muscular wine by the standards of Bressandes, which is typically one of the most elegant and refined of the Corton grands crus and while it's by no means rustic, it knocks on the door. There is actually very good underlying material here but be prepared to have a certain amount of patience because this isn't giving up its secrets early on.