Albert Bichot : Vosne-Romanée 1er cru "Les Malconsorts" Dom. du Clos Frantin 2018

Red cherry and a touch of smoke are subdued on the wine's shy nose. The palate is equally restrained, concentrated but with depth that has inherent grace. Firm tannins still crunch, but every crackle of that sinuous texture holds more perfume and more cherry. The body is taut tand toned. All is framed with freshness and will only get better over the years. Drink by 2050.

A rich, layered red with intense, very ripe fruit that shows dried cherries, smoked oak and some meat. It’s full-bodied and very layered. Solid tannins give depth to the wine. Try after 2023.

The 2018 Vosne-Romanée Les Malconsorts 1er Cru shows some reduction on the nose, slightly smudged red fruit, leather and undergrowth. It does gain clarity with modest aeration, though. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, taut and crisp, quite linear with fine sapidity to the structure, a backward finish. A Premier Cru with a long future ahead. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2018 red tasting.

We find that charcoal-stick aromatic which fades with air. The palate offers a lovely, fluid juice, with a structure that is both firm and silky, characteristic of Vosne-Romanée. One expects more depth from such a wine.