2014 Clos Frantin “Les Malconsorts” Burgundy

BH 91-93 A top note of menthol adds to the breadth of the overtly spicy and fresh nose of dark currant, plum and violet scents. There is both good volume and muscle to the mineral-inflected big-bodied flavors that possess excellent power on the imposing and beautifully long finale. This beauty is built-to-age and is definitely going to need it.

This historic 13 ha domaine that owns some very impressive appellations was acquired by the Beaune négociant Albert Bichot in 1969. The wines are vinified in Nuits St. Georges and for further vintage information, please see the Maison Bichot comments above. I also revisited the 2013’s now in bottle below that were put there between January and May 2015

AG 89-92 Bright medium red. Purple berries, red licorice, mint, violet and spicy oak on the perfumed nose and palate. Fat, sweet, deep and mouthfilling but still a bit youthfully tight; conveys a somewhat extractive quality but Chauvel noted that he does fewer pigeages for this wine than for the other Clos Frantin cuvées. Very rich, floral wine with captivating sweetness and serious but well-enrobed tannins. We always have to wait for the tannins to ripen here, noted Alberic Bichot, who add that this may be the last 2014 to be bottled.

RP 92-94 The 2014 Vosne Romanée 1Er Cru les Malconsorts has an elegant, refined bouquet with mineral-tinged red berry fruit, composed and a little backward but nicely focused. There is class here. The palate is supple on the entry with fine tannin, silky smooth in texture, very harmonious and nicely structured on the finish. This is a subtle Malconsorts, one that should not be underestimated