Also tasted from tank (although a portion of it spent time in barrel), the Bessin 2006 Valmur has amplitude and fat not uncommon in this ripe vintage, but the juxtaposition of slightly tart fruit and herbal character with a milky expression of malo-lactic transformation is not entirely harmonious. A faint bit of bitterness creeps into the finish, but it is otherwise impressively long and decidedly stony. This would be well worth checking out in bottle, although I have not had a chance to do so. Jean-Claude Bessin bottles about two-thirds of the fruit from his nearly 30 acres of vines, vinifying the majority in tank, and some in barrels of mixed sizes. Most of Bessin’s vines are quite old, and the fruit of young vines – or any other fruit harvested by machine – is sold off to negociants. Importer: Kysela Pere et Fils, Ltd., Winchester, VA; tel. (540) 722-9228

Also tasted from tank (although a portion of it spent time in barrel), the Bessin 2006 Valmur has amplitude and fat not uncommon in this ripe vintage, but the juxtaposition of slightly tart fruit and herbal character with a milky expression of malo-lactic transformation is not entirely harmonious. A faint bit of bitterness creeps into the finish, but it is otherwise impressively long and decidedly stony. This would be well worth checking out in bottle, although I have not had a chance to do so.Jean-Claude Bessin bottles about two-thirds of the fruit from his nearly 30 acres of vines, vinifying the majority in tank, and some in barrels of mixed sizes. Most of Bessin’s vines are quite old, and the fruit of young vines – or any other fruit harvested by machine – is sold off to negociants.Importer: Kysela Pere et Fils, Ltd., Winchester, VA; tel. (540) 722-9228