1 | Wine | Cote de Nuits, 91 to 95, 2009

"Perfumed aromas of cherry, redcurrant, licorice and crushed stone. Sweet, pliant and concentrated; at once very ripe and elegant, with lovely lift for the vintage. Wonderfully expressive, penetrating wine, finishing with tangy red fruits and minerals and a light touch." 91-94 pts, reviewed by Stephen Tanzer.

"Complex, soil-driven aromas of dark berries, cherry, licorice, pepper and minerals, lifted by a note of blood orange. Juicy, intensely flavored and imploded; taut and powerful yet at the same time elegant. The crop level here was close to 50 hectoliters per hectare, noted Lardiere, but the grapes were small and no saignee was done. The long finish shows a distinctly creamy aspect." 92-95 pts, reviewed by Stephen Tanzer.

"Very ripe but vibrant aromas of crushed stone, fresh herbs, white pepper and iodine, with a touch of prune. Then silky and primary in the mouth, with captivating forest floor, mineral and tree bark flavors perked up by white wine notes of hazelnut and peach. Wonderfully vibrant, saline, multidimensional wine that broadens out impressively on the back end and leaves the salivary glands quivering." 93-96 pts, reviewed by Stephen Tanzer.

"Pungent, highly perfumed nose offers minerals, dried rose, licorice and pepper; very showy today due to the early malo. Then juicy and pure, with superb energy and precision giving the wine a penetrating quality rare for the year. The tannins are covered by intense fruit on the very long finish, which features strong spicy and floral notes and a medicinal reserve." 94-97 pts, reviewed by Stephen Tanzer.

"Captivating nose combines red raspberry, minerals, crushed stone, coffee and cocoa powder. Juicy and slightly high-toned on the palate; bit lean for this cuvee Fruitier than the Beaux Monts but the tannins seem tougher today. But finishes with sneaky length. I suspect this is better than it's showing today." 90-92 pts, reviewed by Stephen Tanzer.

"Mute nose hints at cherry, mint and fresh herbs. Then silky and soft on the palate, with lovely inner-mouth perfume to the cherry, earth and saline flavors. A bigger wine than the nose suggests but not at all heavy. Finishes silky and long, with rather suave tannins. A very good showing."

"Darker and muskier on the nose than the Chambolle villages, hinting at blueberry, wild herbs and menthol. Then silky and intense, with more energy and freshness than the village offering. Also more tannic and closed on the back but finishes with lovely cut and lingering blackberry and cassis perfume. I like the wildness here. A very serious wine for aging." Reviewed by Stephen Tanzer.

"The 2009 Vougeot Les Cras is a mid-weight translucent red. Sweet spices, menthol and flowers add complexity to the dark fruit. The Cras is sensual, round and inviting all the way to the finish. This is a gorgeous, inviting wine."

"The 2009 Clos de Vougeot is impeccable from start to finish. Layers of succulent red fruit emerge from this structured yet balanced, harmonious wine. A final burst of red fruit informs the energetic, polished finish."

"The 2009 Clos de la Roche comes across as big, powerful and a touch heavy-handed. This shows tons of richness and depth but lacks the sheer excitement of the estate’s finest wines. The Clos de la Roche is made from purchased wine." 92-95 pts.