2009 Domaine de Courcel Pommard Les Rugiens 1er Cru

(13.7% alcohol): Medium red. Aromas of blackberry syrup and spices. Lush, rich and sweet, with a distinctly chocolatey richness to the black cherry and blackberry flavors. Began a bit warm on the end but seemed to tighten up in the glass. Still, this is more flamboyant and exuberant than the Grand Clos des Epenots, no doubt in part because it finished its malolactic fermentation much earlier. Tannins are ripe and fine.

Author: Stephen Tanzer

Issue: March/April 2012

Fragrant, this sandalwood-, floral- and leather-infused red is both supple and close-grained, its structure keeping it all under wraps for now. So alluring up front, but needs time to integrate. A licorice accent lingers.

Author: Bruce Sanderson

Scented. Very flattering. Silky smooth - quite a contrast to the Epeneaux, but then one would expect that. Lovely for the short term. Even if not desperately concentrated.

Author: Jancis Robinson