Maranges Rouge 1er Cru Boutieres 2016

The 2016 Maranges 1er Cru Clos de la Boutiere, which contains more clayey soils than Fussière’s chalkier "dirt," is a single parcel of 80-year-old vines that, in this vintage, includes 20% whole bunch fruit. It has a wonderful, fresh, vibrant bouquet with red cherries, wild strawberry and cranberry fruit, a touch of sous-bois and even a touch of pencil lead borrowed from left bank Bordeaux. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe, succulent tannin, although in the second half it narrows in a little to maintain focus and tension. It feels long and tender on the finish, which completes another delicious and quite cerebral Maranges from its finest exponents.

Score: 91 - 93

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2018-2029 29 December 2017