2016 Musigny

(35% vendange entier ): Moderately saturated medium red. Initially subdued nose of plum, soil, menthol and minerals displayed captivating floral high notes with some aeration. Youthfully tight and classically dry, even a bit youthfully austere, but with subtly aromatic flavors of strawberry, herbs and spices enlivened by the stem element. More reserved in the early going than the Amoureuses, and not yet showing that wine's verve or lift. But here the tannins are suave and aristocratic, suggesting that all this wine needs is time in bottle. The crop here was also cut in half by frost.

Such clarity and precision on the nose with rose-petal and strawberry character. Like looking a rainbow. Full-bodied, tight and integrated with gorgeous purity of fruit and focus. Ultra-fine tannins and focused. So sexy. Drinkable but needs four or five years to show it all.

The 2016 Musigny Grand Cru was picked on 29 September with 30% whole cluster. It remained quite introverted in my glass despite vigorous coaxing, with woodland and fern infusing the red berry fruit, a little static and less flamboyant than maybe the best Musignys. Holding something back for later? I think so. The palate is well balanced and seems to shrug off the travails of the growing season more than the nose, thanks to its gorgeous, pure black plum and blackcurrant fruit and the spicy, black pepper and clove note furnishing the sustained finish. This is an impressive Musigny that will unequivocally age in consummate style.