89 2009 Chauvenet-Chopin Cote de Nuits Villages 1/2/12 ($35)
13% alc
Color: Medium raspberry. (3.0) Bouquet: Ripe red and black plum and black raspberry, also dried leaves and a touch of molasses. Acidity and minerality round out the ripeness. (3.0) Body: Middleweight with very good fruit and acidity. Ripe for Burgundy, but balanced and lean at the same time. Tangy mouthfeel. (3.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet, but not quite as interesting. (2.5) Finish: More interesting, similar to the bouquet. (3.0)
Overall: A very enjoyable red Burgundy that is ripe for Burgundy with more plum than raspberry, but is not overly extracted (actually quite lean) or sweet (you would not mistake this for a CA Pinot or even an Oregon Pinot). The acidity and minerals lift up the fruit and the dried leaf complexity writes the signature of Burgundy despite the ripeness. It might even improve with a few years bottle age, but don't push it. I'd like it even better if it were $5-10 cheaper, but bargain Burgundies are a thing of the past. (14.5)
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