The 2009 Savigny-Les-Beaune Clos de Godeaux opens with a ripe, exotic nose. The fruit is delicate and well-balanced through to the mineral-laced, floral finish. The 2009 is the first vintage from this recently acquired 1.5 hectare monopole. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2017. Drouhin farms 75 hectares of vineyards according to biodynamic principles. Maceration and fermentation lasts about three weeks. The wines are then racked into oak in a cold part of the cellar to slow down the malos, although in 2009 they were entirely done by December. The estate leaves the wines on their lees for several months with one racking, or two if needed, prior to being assembled for bottling. New oak ranges from 25% for the entry-level wines to 50-65% for the grand crus. Veronique Drouhin thinks the 2009s will stay open throughout their lives, much as the 1985s have. All of these 2009s were bottled between early December, 2010 and January, 2011. Importer: Dreyfus Ashby & Co., New York, NY; tel. (212) 818-0770

Fleshy and laced with cherry, raspberry and spice flavors, this red shows intensity and well-integrated tannins. Balanced, lingering nicely on the finish. Best from 2013 through 2020. 300 cases imported.??–BS??Region: France / Burgundy / Savigny-lès-Beaune Select to Add