In the glass, Florent’s Monthelie Premier Cru Les Riottes has a saturated, deep ruby red color, which cools to bright fuchsia at the edge. Fresh, insistent Pinot Noir aromas of red fruit and spices, including sundried red cranberries, pomegranate, roasted beets, and Piment d’Espelette move in and out of the foreground, sometimes alternating with orange zest, rhubarb, sage, and cardamom, along with fleeting suggestions of walnut oil, tree mushrooms, and cloves as the nose evolves over time. On the palate, the wine is juicy and concentrated, at the same time nimble, layered, and nuanced, with a sweet core of spiced red and black fruit flavors that echoes the nose, along with salted caramel, allspice, and a faint suggestion of melted dark chocolate, which lingers through a long, refreshing, very elegant finish. As if it were a hybrid of a silky, juicy Volnay Taillepieds and a powerful Pommard Rugiens.