Beaune Grèves, Domaine Michel Lafarge 2020

The 2020 Beaune Grèves 1er Cru comes from 90-year old vines. It was much more backaward than the Clos des Aigrots, scents of dark cherries, cranberry and Tayberry emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with more substance than the Clos des Aigrots, gentle grip, very harmonious with perfectly judged acidity and an almost pixelated finish. Outstanding.

The Lafarge's 99-year-old vines have turned in a terrific effort with the 2020 Beaune 1er Cru Les Grèves. Mingling aromas of dark berries and cherries with hints of rose petals, raw cocoa and forest floor, the wine is medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with ripe, powdery tannins and lively acids. It's a touch more enveloping and expansive in style than the more tensile Clos des Aigrots, a fine distinction that I suspect will become more apparent with bottle age.

An overtly spicy nose is ripe and more deeply pitched with its aromas of mostly dark raspberry and warm earth. The beautifully textured medium weight plus flavors possess outstanding density and power that seems to build on the driving, balanced and serious finish. This too is excellent and is a wine that always seems to age well, and the 2020 version should be no exception. Note: from 99-year-old vines where more than 90% are from the original plantation Drink: 2030+