A beautifully layered if more subdued nose grudgingly gives up its earthy dark berry fruit, forest floor and violet scents. The sleek and equally attractively textured medium-bodied flavors possess a relatively refined mouthfeel thanks to the fine-grained tannins shaping the youthfully austere, balanced and lingering finish. This pretty effort could use better depth but it's quite promising, especially for a villages-level wine.

The 2021 Gevrey-Chambertin Coeur du Roy retains all the depth and mid-palate volume one expects from this old-vine cuvée, all in a more accessible, expressive format, thanks to the vintage. Bursting with aromas of smoky berries, plums, orange zest and petals, it's medium to full-bodied, rich and layered, with a supple, seamless profile that will lend it a more than usual wide drinking window.- WK