The black fruit-scented 2001 Nuits-St.-Georges Aux Boudots gorgeously expands on the palate, revealing satin-textured black cherries. Medium-bodied and juicy, this wine regrettably does not possess the length required for a more exalted review. Meo confidently asserted that “it is normal for a Boudots at this stage in its elevage, it will build its finish in time.” Anticipated maturity: now-2010. According to Jean-Nicolas Meo, this estate’s director and winemaker, “2001 is a good vintage, more strict and severe than 1999 and 2000, with more acidity and bite, less fat, and more austere. It has good cellaring potential because the balance of the wines is excellent.” Meo’s 2001s were particularly successful, with fleshy, fruit-filled personalities. For the most part, the firm, rustic tannin found in many of his colleagues’ 2001s (the majority of which are not recommended) was not detected in any of his offerings. That may be because Meo waited longer to harvest (as he states), extracted more delicately, or because he’s one of the few Burgundians to stir the lees of his reds (which builds flesh)... or a combination of the three. Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524