2016 Morey St Denis En la Rue de Vergy
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Tasting notes
Black cherry and leather on the nose – this is the dark, savoury side of Pinot. Finely ground tannins makes this drinkable now, although that compact fruit will surely give greater complexity with time. (RH)
Critic scores
Average Score
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(I tasted a pre-bottling sample from tank, as this wine was scheduled to be bottled the evening of my January visit; vinified with 60% whole clusters): Bright medium red. Darker but more withdrawn on the nose than the old-vines Chambolle, hinting at black cherry, licorice and soil. Quite rich, displaying captivating sucrosité (these vines were picked first) but also lovely punch for a wine with 13.2% natural alcohol. Spreads out nicely to dust the palate on the savory finish.
The 2016 Morey-Saint-Denis En La Rue de Vergy includes 50% whole-bunch fruit this year. It has a well-defined bouquet, darker berry fruit, earthier than say Bruno Clair’s own La Rue de Vergy, but it gains vigor in the glass. The palate is sharp and bright on the entry. I like the tannins here—very fine, slightly chalky with impressive mineralité and harmony on the black tea-tinged finish. It is not a deep or powerful Morey, but it feels long and terroir expressive.