A highly restrained, even brooding nose combines notes of dark currant, humus and lavender scents. The supple but superbly intense mineral-inflected medium weight flavors are shaped by relatively fine-grained tannins on the austere and serious but not really rustic finale. This is really quite good if you have at least some patience to allow the tannins to mellow.

Here too there is enough reduction to mask the underlying fruit. The rich, intense and tautly muscular flavors possess a caressing mouth feel and a lovely hint of minerality that carries over to the slightly rustic but not really austere finale. Worth considering.

The 2014 Fixin En Combe Roy was described as the "baby," as it used to be in the village cru blend until the 2013 vintage (upon Amelie's request). There is 30% whole bunch in the blend. It has a well defined bouquet with cranberry leaf and crushed strawberry, sous-bois scents developing courtesy of the stems. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, vibrant red fruit with hints of blueberry and myrtle on the finish. This is just lovely and comes highly recommended.

Hints of game, floral and earth add breadth to the mostly dark currant-scented nose. There is terrific intensity to the somber and serious middle weight flavors that exude a fine bead of minerality on the balanced and moderately austere finale. This is quite serious and clearly built-to-age so moderate patience will definitely be required. Recommended.

The 2013 Fixin En Combe-Roy is a debut release from the domaine since hitherto the 0.40-hectare parcel of 50- to 60-year-old vines was blended into the village cru. Having only finished in malolactic in November, it had undergone sulfuring a couple of weeks before my visit. Healthy and deep in color, the nose takes time to unfurl, offering strawberry confit and raspberry preserve aromas that are clean and delineated. The palate is blessed with fine balance and it neatly carries the one-third new oak. There is a sorbet-like freshness toward the finish that is lively and vivacious and this should be great once in bottle. Drink: 2017-2027. (Jan 2015)