The 2010 Puligny-Montrachet La Quintessence, a blend of 60% Chalumeaux and 40% La Garenne, is seamless, layered and very pretty. Ripe and expressive on the palate, the wine boasts terrific intensity in its citrus, yellow peach and mineral notes. The 40% new oak barrels have been very well integrated, still I feel the Quintessence could use another year or so to come together just a bit more. Anticipated maturity: 2013+. Thierry Matrot told me he thinks 2010 is one of the greatest vintages of the last 30 years. Yields came in around 20-25 hectoliters per hectare, which is tiny by any measure. Batonnage gives the Matrot wines quite a bit of textural richness when they are young, along with the impression they are built for serious aging, but in my experience the wines need to be enjoyed within a few years after release. Unfortunately I was not able to taste the 2010 Meursault Perrieres for this article, although I hope to taste it soon. Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 980-8802