2021 Marsannay Rouge, Trois Terres, Vieilles Vignes, Domaine Jean Fournier, Burgundy

A full deep purple. There is an impressive weight of fruit on the nose, albeit less explosive than the Croix Violettes. On the palate though the same quality comes out, with perhaps some wood tannins here. Very reserved but with great potential. One barrel was slow to complete malolactic, which explains the relative backwardness.

Drink 2025 - 2030

The 2021 Marsannay Trois Terres Vieilles Vignes needs quite a bit of coaxing on the nose. It has liquorice-tinged dark berry fruit mixed with white pepper. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy, slightly chalky tannins, fresh and quite saline, and an elegant finish. This Marsannay meliorates upon acquaintance and should repay cellaring over three or four years.

Drink 2026 - 2037

From a blend of Clos du Roy, Longeroies and Es Chezots.

An agreeably fresh nose freely offers up its array of spicy and perfumed red berries, soft earth and a floral whiff. There is fine mid-palate density to the seductively textured, even succulent, medium-weight flavours that exude a subtle minerality on the lightly austere, firm and balanced finale. This is lovely and worth considering.

Drink 2031