Vosne Romanee Petits Monts, Nicolas Potel 2005

Mild reduction detracts a bit from the otherwise pretty and very spicy red and blue berry fruit nose that even with the funk is obviously more reserved and cooler than the Chaumes. The mouth coating flavors are round, delicious and quite minerally with the typical hint of finishing austerity on the finely detailed and pure backend. A lovely wine that could surprise to the upside if it adds further complexity with age.

A 2005 Vosne Romanee Les Petits Monts - assembled in tank when I tasted - offers high-toned black fruit essences, distilled plum, smoke, floral and spice aromas. Tasting of spiced blackberries and prune, it evinces fungal and mossy, forest floor inner-mouth aromas as it reacts to the air. Rich and palate saturating, it comes up a bit disappointing in its finish, but certainly only on account of its recent racking and sulfuring. There will be a (by Potel's standards) whopping 225 cases of this. It's worth pointing out that this vineyard above Richebourg and between Reignots and Cros Parantoux - like several of those from Vosne's highest altitudes - was not even marked on the vineyard maps of most reference books until the past decade.