Clos Frantin (Bichot) Vosne-Romanée 1er cru Malconsorts 2020

98 points Anne Krebiehl (Falstaff): "Subtle smoke, cream and elderberry mark the restrained nose. The palate, despite the unusual year, immediately shows its true colours and provenance: bright freshness, dense tannins of purest silk, utter elegance in its bearing, beautiful poise. Malconsorts delivers, making a statement about its own resolute elegance. Exquisite. Alcohol 13.9%. (1/25/22)"

96 points Charles Curtis, MW (Decanter): "The wine shows a pronounced aroma of ripe black cherry and floral notes the winemaker describes as peony, mingled with notes of mineral, spice and smoke. Initially somewhat reserved on the palate, the texture is silky and with time reveals substantial but fine-grained tannins, good freshness and impressive length. Bichot owns two parcels of Malconsorts that total 1.75ha at the southern extremity of the lieu-dit bordering Nuits. Picking began on the 31st August, right after the first small shower that refreshed the vines. Drinking Window: 2025-2060. (Nov 2021)"

95 points Christy Canterbury, MW (TimAtkin.com): "A generous 1.75 hectares of this coveted Premier Cru are in the hands of Bichot, which is its largest landowner. Romanée-Conti and Richebourg are neighboring vineyards. As one would suspect, this is sheer class and very, very moreish. The nose starts with spicy oak, bramble and black cherries. The fruit-filled palate is framed by soaring freshness and suave, powdery tannins. 2023-38. (2022)"

95 points James Suckling: "Striking nose, with delicate herbal notes, as well as great sour-cherry fruit. Suave and succulent, this flows over the palate in a great arc, in spite of the firm core. Very long and classically elegant finish. From organically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but best from 2024. (7/20/22)"

Bill Nanson (Burgundy Report): "(1.75 ha from 6 sandier parts and lower down heavier soil – the bottom left which is more sandy and the rest which is more clay – there can be 3 days difference in maturity between these two sectors – ‘clearly different wines too, the lower part more massive less complex. Our biggest problem with these vines is that the alcoholic potentials grow much faster than the actual phenolic maturity.’) A little narrower but deeper aroamtics again – slowly adding some higher complexity but remaining a little compact. Really a fine and mouth-filling impression here. Still shy in divulging its secrets but the finish is long... (Dec 2021)"