Cotes de Nuits-Villages ‘Les Vignottes’

Good ripeness, cherry and raspberry juicy and clean. Lovely fresh and pinosity, some present tannin providing backbone, lovely.

Nuits-St-Georges ‘Les Fleurières’

With hinting at florals (this vineayard used to be a garden – hence the name) all the elements are there – ripe strawberry fruit flavors combine with a fine elegant structure, well balanced.

Romanée St Vivant, Grand Cru

“There is a background touch of reduction to the otherwise elegant nose of spicy and earthy red and black pinot fruit that is nuanced by subtle traces of soy and anise that are picked up on the rich, deep, round, sappy and mouth coating flavors that display a discreet but attractive mineral streak on the hugely long finish. This is terrific and the old vine character is very much in evidence – be sure to decant it if you’re going to try a bottle young. Burghound

Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru

“Discreet wood frames brooding and ripe earthy dark berry fruit aromas, in particular cassis that complement the pure, supple and round medium-bodied flavors that possess a subtle mineral-streak on the delicious, balanced and lingering finish where the wood resurfaces. Like several of these ’09s, this is at the limit of ripeness yet avoids falling to a level where the freshness is unduly compromised though there is a trace of backend warmth. Burghound

Clos Vougeot, Grand Cru

“(from 40+ year old vines situated at the very top of the hill hard by the Château). A deft application of wood allows the pure and densely fruited nose of conspicuously ripe red pinot and violet aromas to shine through. The big-bodied and admirably concentrated flavors are underpinned by relatively fine tannins and notably less austerity than usual on the strikingly long finish. This should amply reward a decade or so in the cellar. Burghound