2009  - Burgundy the smiling face of a welcoming vintage

Article - The world of fine Wine 2011

17/ 20 - Gevrey-Chambertin  

ME: An exemplary village Gevrey, which combines perfectly ripe and black fruits with freshness and precision. The oak is well judged adding vanilla scents to a wine that is rich and fine. Excellent value, too.

17.5/20 - Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Craipillot

ME: A light winemaking touch delivers fragrant red berry and cherry fruits topping a tight, restrained structure with elegant tannins. The mouthfeel is fresh, attractively spicy but also dense deep. Better, in these hands, than several premier crus from others.

18.5/20 - Clos de Vougeot

ME: A great year for Clos de Vougeot and none better then here. Has everything: succulent black fruits, depth, spice, and a texture that invites you to crunch the wine these delights underpinned by a subtle but evident iron grip. Superb.

18/20 - Bonnes-Mares

ME: Quiet on the nose, but a lovely harmony of gras fruits both red and black cherries and dark plum, which are upstaged by new oak. Excellent, though I prefer the magnificent 2008 here by a short head.

Although it has unfairly overshadowed 200, there is no doubt that 2009 offers a winning combination of quality and quantity, for whites as well as for reds, urges Micheal Edwards. Additional notes from recent tastings by Neil Beckett and Margaret Rand.

Extract of article:

Better red and than dead: "In the Côte de Nuits, Drouhin-Laroze steers the right, unerring path between richness and elegance...