Montrachet 2009

The 2009 Montrachet is just as glorious in bottle as it was from barrel. Layers of rich, expressive fruit caress the palate in this packed, deep wine. There is considerable power here, but the wine needs time in bottle to settle down a bit. Anticipated maturity: 2016+. Dominique Lafon's 2009s are just as stunning from bottle as they were when I tasted them in cask earlier this year. Lafon is one of the most thoughtful growers in Burgundy. Along with a group of his colleagues, Lafon is among the producers who has basically re-examined every aspect of the way he makes wine in response to the problem of premature oxidation. Today-s wines spend more time on their lees, but that is just one of many changes that have taken place here over the last few years. Except as noted, I tasted the 2009s from bottle. The 2009 Charmes, Perrieres and Montrachet were bottled in May, 2011. I also tasted all of the 2010s from barrel. The Meursault, Clos de la Barre and Goutte d-Or weren-t showing well, while the Meursault premier crus and the Montrachet were all sublime.

Score: 96

Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2016+ 01 September 2011

This is also quite reserved with a riper and considerably more complex nose of primarily exotic yellow orchard fruit, floral notes and a panoply of spice nuances that is trimmed in subtle oak toast. The big-bodied, dense and stunningly complex flavors are opulent yet focused and precise before culminating in a balanced and incredibly persistent finish. Don't miss!

Score: 94 - 97

Allen Meadows, Burghound Maturity: 2017+ 01 February 2011