The 2016 les Valozières from the de Nicolay family is outstanding, as this was one of the few vineyards that had a normal crop load this year and the fruit was brought in earliest in the domaine’s roster of vineyards, with picking starting here on September 22nd. The bouquet here is pure and nascently complex, offering up scents of black cherries, iron-infused soil tones, woodsmoke, venison and just a touch of upper register spice. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and nicely reserved in profile, with a sappy core, fine soil signature, fine-grained tannins and a long, poised and promising finish. Lovely juice.

The 2016 Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru Les Valozières was showing very well, exhibiting notes of sweet red berries, cassis, orange rind, grilled squab and chocolate. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, ample and velvety, with juicy acids and an unusually supple, even seductive profile for the appellation. This has fleshed out considerably since I tasted it from barrel and it's now decidedly impressive. - WK

There is depth to the black cherry and plum flavors in this red, accented by earth, spice and tree bark details. A sense of sweetness prevails midpalate, buffering the firm, dry tannins that linger. Best from 2022 through 2035. 86 cases made, 17 cases imported. — BS