2015 Cotes de Nuits Clos du Chapeau

(just bottled; 25% vendange entier ; 40% new oak): Bright, dark red. A note of flinty reduction to the aromas of black cherry, blackberry, violet and licorice. At once thick and juicy, boasting plenty of concentrated black fruit flavor to support its ripe tannins. This dense but fresh Côte de Nuits-Villages is an outperformer in 2015.

The 2015 Côtes du Nuits-Villages Clos du Chapeau includes 25% whole bunch fruit and matured in around 30% new oak, which is higher than other years. It has an attractive bouquet with blackberry and raspberry preserve, the new oak neatly integrated with attractive harmony. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity, crunchy red berry fruit and good salinity. It just needs a little more persistence on the aftertaste, but otherwise this is a fine Côtes du Nuits Villages.

(Comblanchien). A relatively high-toned nose combines notes of red raspberry, cherry, pomegranate and a hint of earth. Here too the mouth feel of the middle weight flavors is relatively fine as the velvety texture is both seductive and mouth coating, all wrapped in a lingering finish. Indeed this is suave and velvety to the point that there is a borderline creamy aspect to it, which may not appeal to everyone. Dec 2016, www.burghound.com