The Chauvenet-Chopin 2006 Nuits-St.-Georges Les Murgers smells pungently of holly berry, resin, and wood smoke. Tart cranberry and cherry dominate a bright, tannin-rich, yet fine-grained and expansive palate, accompanied by pungent persistence of the aforementioned Christmas-like notes. This really grips as well as refreshes, with saline, smoky, and peat-like notes having the last word. I would plan on cellaring it for at least 2-3 years before revisiting, and then on half a dozen additional years of satisfaction. Hubert Chauvenet professed having been more active than normal in 2006 with punch-downs and pump-overs, in order to compensate for paucity of material, and a certain undertone of bitterness in a few of his lighter-weight 2006s may be explicable on that account.Imported by Robert Kacher Selections, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 832 9083

Dark and concentrated, offering black cherry, plum and chocolate notes, all backed up by a coating of tannins. A bit dry on the finish now, but should integrate with time. Best from 2011 through 2020. 29 cases imported. -BS