Jancis Robinson (18.5)

Barrel sample. Deep crimson. Intense, dark fruit that puts the oak into the background. Terrific intensity on the palate, dark, savoury, charry but not at all over-oaked. Elegant tannins, extremely fine and deliciously dry. Immense length and refinement.

Jancis Robinson (17)

Cask sample. Deep crimson. Sample is showing very slight signs of tiredness which I will try to ignore. But the wine doesn’t seem to have quite the energy and conviction of the Richebourg. Maybe it’s a sample thing? But there’s just a slight rawness here as well as the density and energy.

Jancis Robinson (17.5+)

Tank sample. Deep cherry red. At first the fruit smells much riper here than any of the Maison Roche de Bellene wines tasted so far. Peppery damsons, but it changes in the glass. Dark and quite oaky, it seems, almost charry. Dry, fine tannins pull this back into the elegant camp. I changed my mind about this wine as I tasted it. It needs a lot of time but the structure is very fine indeed.

Vinous (92-95)

Bright, full red. Sexy aromas of raspberry, mocha, smoke, minerals and Oriental spices. A step up in concentration and texture from the Petits Monts and Suchots, offering outstanding richness and sweetness to the flavors of raspberry and spices. Finishes very long, with suave, palate-coating tannins. A lovely 2012 in the making.

Burghound (91-94)

(Outstanding) Like the Amoureuses this is highly restrained and also requires considerable swirling to coax the otherwise superbly fresh and spicy aromas of various wild red berries, anise, sandalwood, clove and pekoe tea nuances. Out of all of the 1ers in the range this is easily the biggest and most muscular; indeed this possesses grand cru size and weight, all wrapped in an intensely mineral-driven and explosively long finish. Note that here too this is not going to make for a good early drinker as ample patience will be required.

Burghound (91-94)

(Outstanding) Like the Amoureuses this is highly restrained and also requires considerable swirling to coax the otherwise superbly fresh and spicy aromas of various wild red berries, anise, sandalwood, clove and pekoe tea nuances. Out of all of the 1ers in the range this is easily the biggest and most muscular; indeed this possesses grand cru size and weight, all wrapped in an intensely mineral-driven and explosively long finish. Note that here too this is not going to make for a good early drinker as ample patience will be required.

Vinous (91-93)

The 2019 Vosne-Romanée Les Rouges 1er Cru is nicely focused on the elegant, pure nose, which features perfumed black cherries, raspberry and incense aromas - quintessential Vosne-Romanée aromatics. The palate is well balanced with a silky entry, fine weight in the mouth and a succulent, high-toned but not excessive finish. The opulence is pitched just right. Superb. This benefits from being located at high altitude in a warm growing season.

The Rodolphe Demougeot Pommard 1er Cru Charmots 2016 is an exquisite red wine, meticulously crafted in the grand region of Burgundy, France. Esteemed vintner Rodolphe Demougeot, lauded for his commendable organic vineyard management, brings forth this wine from Pinot Noir grapes, meticulously harvested from a single vineyard, 'Les Charmots'.

With its careful vinification in relation to lunar cycles, this wine exudes an expressive bouquet of ripe red fruits, balanced with enticing earthy undertones. Delectably rich yet supple on the palate, this wine is known for its elegant complexity and robust structure, projecting the very essence of Pommard terroir.

The Rodolphe Demougeot Pommard 1er Cru Charmots 2016, with its profound intensity and seamless balance, is a luminous representation of what dedicated craftsmanship and exceptional terroir can achieve. A marvellous choice for those seeking the crème de la crème of Burgundian wines.

Crafted with meticulous precision, Roger Belland Santenay Comme Dessus 2021 is a marvellous representation of Santenay's unique terroir. Renowned for their exemplary viticulture skills since 1835, Belland has masterfully transformed hand-picked Chardonnay grapes from the esteemed 'Comme Dessus' vineyard into this sublime Burgundy white wine. It's vinified and aged for fifteen months in oak barrels, imparting a balanced texture and a crisp finish that is elegantly layered.

The Roger Belland Santenay Comme Dessus 2021 maintains a brilliant typicity, showcasing complex aromas of ripe white fruits, nuanced by stony minerals and subtle floral undertones. The texture is beautifully elegant, offering a multitude of intricate, intertwining flavours on the palate. This fine wine demonstrates Belland's skilled winemaking, capturing Santenay's distinctive character in every sip. As such, the Roger Belland Santenay Comme Dessus 2021 is no doubt a must-try to discerning wine enthusiasts exploring the riches of Burgundy.

Immerse yourself in the elegance and complexity of the Roger Belland Volnay Santenots 1er Cru 2021. This exquisite Burgundy hails from eastern France, refined meticulously using traditional vinification methods. It carries the elegance of the Volnay appellation and the depth and power attributed to the Santenots vineyard's clay-rich soils.

Under the expertise of Roger Belland, a fifth-generation winemaker, the wine exhibits a rich, full-bodied profile. With an eye for sustainable practices, Belland's wines are farmed organically, honouring the vineyard's unique terroir and microclimate. The wine underwent fermentation in open stainless-steel vats, with ageing on fine lees in French oak barrels, thus amplifying its robust character and nuanced flavours.

The opus of Roger Belland is embodied in the Volnay Santenots 1er Cru 2021 - a harmonious symphony of ripened red fruit accented by spicy undertones and earthy notes. Sipping this wine promises an exquisite journey into the heart of Burgundy.