The 2016 Morey St Denis en la Rue de Vergy has a lucid ruby color. The bouquet is well defined with pure dark cherries, cranberry and bay leaf scents, a subtle woodland note tucked just behind. The palate is medium-bodied with a confit-like entry, brisk and energetic with hints of blood orange and marmalade complementing the red fruit, leading to a crunchy finish that is a joy. This is on par with the 2015 and may even surpass it with bottle age.

The 2015 Morey St Denis en la Rue de Vergy is matured in 50% new oak. It has a slight candied bouquet, although personally here I felt that the new oak impeded upon the terroir expression. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red berry fruit and here the new oak feels more enmeshed with the fruit, touches of blood orange and a dash of white pepper towards the finish. Not bad, although I would like less of the winemaking to be tangible.

The 2014 Morey St Denis en la Rue de Vergy comes from the parcel just 50 meters above Clos de Tart. It has an understated bouquet with blackcurrant pastille and raspberry jus, nicely defined with an undercurrent of minerals. The palate is well balanced with crisp acidity, a pleasing sense of energy with a gentle lift towards a vibrant and nicely poised finish. This is a lovely Morey-Saint-Denis from Michel that I suspect will settle at the top of my banded score once in bottle.

Michel Gros does not always make a separate wine from this parcel and there are just three barrels of his 2013 Morey Saint Denis en la Rue Vergy (the vines located just on the other side of the road from Clos des Lambrays.) It has an attractive black plum and raspberry coulis scented bouquet; fine clarity, if not quite exuding the complexity of say, Bruno Clair for example. The palate is medium-bodied with a svelte texture, nicely judged acidity and a harmonious, tart cherry and soy-tinged finish. This is a decent Morey Saint Denis to enjoy over the next decade.