The 2009 Gevrey-Chambertin Bel Air is sweet, open and totally seductive. Silky tannins frame the fruit beautifully all the way through to the expressive, perfumed finish. This is a deeply satisfying wine from Philippe Charlopin. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022. Philippe Charlopin showed me a large number of wines during my recent visit. This is a solid range of wines from top to bottom, although I can’t help thinking Charlopin might be better served by focusing on fewer wines and aiming for the higher level of quality that informs his finest bottles. The majority of these wines were made from 100% destemmed fruit. In 2009 fermentations lasted from 20-25 days. Most of the wines saw 30% new oak, although the Grand Crus saw 50% new barrels. The house style favors a rich, opulent expression of fruit.Importer: Peter Weygandt, Unionville, PA; tel. (610) 486-0800