Delivering aromas of dark berries, plums, spices and forest floor, the 2020 Mercurey 1er Cru Les Veleys is medium to full-bodied, supple and lively, with an ample core of fruit, racy acids and a long, mineral finish. It's especially vibrant this year.

The 2019 Mercurey 1er Cru Les Veleys has turned out nicely, exhibiting aromas of sweet berries and plums, complemented by hints of smoked meats, raw cocoa and orange rind. Medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with a chassis of rich structuring tannin and lively acids, this will reward a bit of patience.

The 2018 Mercurey 1er Cru Les Veleys is also very promising, and with a little bottle age, it may well rival Les Nauges for the title of his finest red this year. Mingling aromas of wild berry fruit, cassis, coniferous forest floor and spicy new oak, it's medium to full-bodied, velvety and layered, with lively acids, powdery tannins and a penetrating finish. Still a little tightly wound after its recent bottling, it will reward at least a year or two of patience.

Aromas of dark berries, cherries and spice mingling with nuances of licorice and mocha introduce Raquillet's 2017 Mercurey 1er Cru Les Veleys, a medium to full-bodied, fleshy wine with good concentration, fine structuring tannins and ripe acids that's more elegant and longer on the finish than the Nagues this year. It's an excellent wine that will also represent fine value.

The 2016 Mercurey 1er Cru Les Veleys is also exceptional, unfurling in the glass with aromas of cherries, cassis, coniferous forest floor and dried flowers. On the palate, it's supple, medium to full-bodied and succulent, with a deep core of fruit concealing fine-grained but firm, stony tannins. This should prove to be long lived.