Medium-plus cherry red, no sign of ruby yet. The nose starts with a burst of well toasted oak – lasts only a minute or two – replaced by red pinot fruits against a background of sweet Vosne spice and faint tobacco. Concentrated fruit, red & black, mouthwatering acidity and forward, slightly grainy tannin. Tannins are much less drying than either of the following Vosnes. This will start to drink well earlier than many – but still wait another 3 years.
Engel René
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1996 Engel René Vosne-Romanée
Medium ruby colour fading very little to the rim. The nose is pure, characteristic Vosne, starting with a touch of undergrowth, deep spicy notes, a touch of black fruit and slowly developing, eventually dominating, raspberry. The palate is very fresh from the forward acidity, showing reasonably concentrated red cherry fruit – still quite primary. The tannins finish with a little unintrusive grain and the finish is almost good. Without showing real fat, the wine is still mouthfilling and obviously some way from maturity. I’ll try the next in another couple of years – good wine.