The 2009 Nuits St. Georges Les Perrieres is one of the more vibrant, fresh wines in this lineup. Wild cherries, violets, spices and licorice emerge from the glass in a taut, focused expression of Nuits. This shows terrific energy on the wiry finish, where high-toned, floral notes add the final layers of nuance on the mineral drenched close. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2027. Regis Forey began harvesting on September 13. His wines did a total of eight(!) weeks of cuvaison, by far the lengthiest vinifications of any grower I visited. Forey used 100% new oak for all of his 1ers and Grands Crus. The wines were bottled between December, 2010 and February, 2011 with no fining or filtration. These are unusually open, fruit-driven wines, even within the context of 2009. The Grand Crus are not necessarily better than some of the 1ers. I am not sure how well the wines will age, but in most cases they will certainly deliver considerable pleasure early on. Importer: Rosenthal Wine Merchant, Pine Plains, NY; tel. (800) 910-1990

The 2009 Nuits St. Georges Les St. Georges is a deep, inward wine. Over time black cherries, plums, menthol and spices emerge from the glass, but only with great reluctance. Violets, smoke and tar appear later, adding further dimensions of complexity to the generous, opulent finish. The St. Georges is a muscular wine that will require a measure of patience. This parcel was planted in 1933 and is one of Forey's oldest. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2029. Regis Forey began harvesting on September 13. His wines did a total of eight(!) weeks of cuvaison, by far the lengthiest vinifications of any grower I visited. Forey used 100% new oak for all of his 1ers and Grands Crus. The wines were bottled between December, 2010 and February, 2011 with no fining or filtration. These are unusually open, fruit-driven wines, even within the context of 2009. The Grand Crus are not necessarily better than some of the 1ers. I am not sure how well the wines will age, but in most cases they will certainly deliver considerable pleasure early on.Importer: Rosenthal Wine Merchant, Pine Plains, NY; tel. (800) 910-1990