The 2016 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru includes 35% whole bunch fruit (the first time ever) and was cropped at just 25 hectoliters per hectare because of frost damage. It has an attractive bouquet with copious dark cherry, blackberry and crushed flowers. The palate is well balanced with fine tannin, quite a masculine Clos Vougeot with a good backbone on the somewhat foursquare finish that just cuts away a little swiftly. This might be one cuvée where I prefer the 2015 to this year's counterpart.

The 2015 Clos Vougeot Grand Cru, which comes from the upper slopes of the vineyard, has a rich and opulent bouquet with precocious mulberry and blueberry scents, violet and desiccated orange peel. The 30% whole bunches is discretely embedded in the black fruit, lending crunchiness to the texture. This displays impressive depth; notwithstanding infectious energy and a vibrant finish. Excellent - this is one of the best grand crus from Drouhin-Laroze this vintage.

The 2014 Clos Vougeot Grand Cru, which is completely destemmed, has a sweet, almost pastille-like bouquet with maraschino cherry, blueberry and violet notes, not unlike a Chambolle Amoureuses in some ways. I like the exuberance displayed here. The palate is medium-bodied with supple black fruit, the oak just a little dominating towards the finish although there is decent depth and persistence in place. Give it 4-5 years in bottle.