1978 Vosne Romanee Cros Parantoux

The 1978 Vosne-Romanée Cros-Parantoux 1er Cru is one of those wines that is so rare and expensive that I presumed I would never see a bottle, let alone drink it. It has quite a youthful, finely delineated nose of Morello cherry and crushed strawberry, though I would not say it is complex. This is sprightly, though to juxtapose the wine directly, the '78 Echézeaux from Dujac has more gravitas. The palate is medium-bodied with a crisp and primal entry. There is plenty of brightness in this Cros-Parantoux: vivid red fruit, fine tension and just a little warmth blurring the edges on the finish. It is a delicious wine, though given the price tag, I can think of plenty of others at a fraction of the price that will provide more pleasure. Tasted at the 1978 Bouilland horizontal.