2014 Volnay Taillepieds

(100% vendange entier; 35% new oak): Good medium red. Subdued aromas and flavors of raspberry, black cherry, earth and smoky minerality accented by hints of pepper and herbs from the stems. Broad, ripe and smooth but quite dry. Displays very good spicy energy, length and lift but the substantial dusty tannins leave the finish a bit clenched today. This slightly edgy wine will need patience.

(vinified entirely with whole clusters; 25% new oak; the soil is gravel over limestone): Bright medium red. Pungent spices and peppery herbs currently overshadow raspberry fruit on the fresh nose. In a juicy, peppery, penetrating style, tightly chiseled and dominated by its structure in the early going. Finishes classically dry, firmly tannic and lightly saline. Sieve notes that this wine will need to harmonize its green notes from the stems, but added that "we don't extract a lot of skin tannins, so a lot of the wine's tannins will resolve before bottling."