If you like your red burgundy slightly overripe, rich, round, sweet, and deliciously up-front, this is a producer of whom to take note. Arlaud has a tendency to over-crop and resort to a heavy-handed use of sugar to add body and flavor, but there is no doubting that in a low yield year such as 1991, everything in the wine is natural. His 1991 offerings avoid the hard, green, astringent, sharp tannins that plague many 1991s. All are wines to be consumed in their first 5-7 years of life.
The richest and most complete of Arlaud's 1991s is the 1991 Clos St.-Denis. The deep ruby color and rich, sweet nose of cassis fruit, roasted nuts, and toast are turn ons. Rich and medium to full-bodied, with admirable extraction, a juicy, 1990-like opulence and voluptuousness to its flavors and texture, this heady, expansively flavored wine is delicious. It promises to last for at least 6-8 years. A Peter Vezan selection, various importers, including Ideal Wines, Medford, MA.