2015 Comte Armand Auxey Rouge Premier Cru

(a blend of Les Bréterins and Bas des Duresses, the former on calcaire and the latter on clay-based soil; bottled in December of 2016): Healthy full red. Very ripe but sappy aromas of red fruits and licorice. A step up in breadth and finesse of texture from the village Auxey-Duresses, showing a more serious medicinal aspect to its red cherry, mineral and menthol flavors. Finishes classically dry and fairly tannic, considerably longer on the aftertaste than the village version and coating more of the mouth. This comes across as less extreme, not to mention outstanding for its appellation. 90 points