1996 Vosne Romanee Beaumonts

Exhibiting a medium-to-dark ruby color and fabulous aromas of black cherries, flowers, Asian spices, and toasty oak, this wine has extraordinary richness, depth, and refinement. This medium-to-full-bodied, silky, complex, focused, and fat wine is filled with tangy red currants, cherries, candied orange peels, and a firm structure. This admirably long wine should be at its peak between 2002 and 2008. Note: This wine had finished its malo-lactic fermentation in September, 1997, and had been racked and sulphured two weeks before my visit. This process can have the effect of temporarily drying out the fruit and decreasing the intensity of color in wines. If anything, it will become darker, have more body, and be lusher than my notes would suggest. "The most important thing for me is harmony. I don't want hard and tannic wines. Those that are too tannic will never be good." So stated Etienne Grivot, the tall, intelligent, Basset Hound-eyed, and youngish man in charge of the domaine that bears his father's name. This estate produces some of Burgundy's finest wines, and consumers need to search them out before their prices reflect their quality. Importer: Chateaux and Estates Wine Co., New York, NY; Tel; (212) 572-7725.

Subtle yet very spicy black Vosne fruit with sappy, pure, still tight flavors that display brilliant balance and impressive intensity on the long, very persistent and punchy finish. This is very impressive and the perfectly integrated acidity will permit this to live for years. Allen Meadows, Burghound, Nov02,2003.

Exhibiting a medium-to-dark ruby color and fabulous aromas of black cherries, flowers, Asian spices, and toasty oak, this wine has extraordinary richness, depth, and refinement. This medium-to-full-bodied, silky, complex, focused, and fat wine is filled with tangy red currants, cherries, candied orange peels, and a firm structure. This admirably long wine should be at its peak between 2002 and 2008. Pierre Rovani, The Wine Advocate Aug 1998