The 2016 Ladoix Le Clos Royer Rouge has a faint touch of licorice on the nose, again, taking time to open in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy red berry fruit, a chalky texture toward the second half with a brisk stony finish. This is everything you want from a village cru.

The 2015 Ladoix Le Clos Royer Rouge was clearly in red fruit territory on the nose with ample red cherries and crushed strawberry aromas that are neatly integrated with the new oak. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chewy tannin. It feels a little rustic towards the finish, although it may develop more finesse by the time of bottling. Oddly, it is atypically one where I have a preference for the white version.

The 2014 Ladoix Le Clos Royer had a slight reduction on the nose when I tasted it at the domaine, but otherwise there is fine red berry fruit lurking underneath. The palate is a little rustic on the entry with saline red berry fruit and a muscular finish. Not bad, but I feel this will be surpassed by some of Michel's other wines this year.