The 2009 Clos de Vougeot is a powerful, intense wine. This is rather closed in on itself, but from time to time the fruit emerges from beneath the imposing tannins. Freshly cut flowers, mint and sweet spices linger on the powerful, taut finish. The Clos Vougeot shows considerable potential. 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