Beaune Clos des Ursules, Louis Jadot 2009

A relatively deeply pitched nose of ripe plum, warm earth, anise and violet hints merges into vibrant, pure, intense and softly mineral-infused medium-bodied flavors that display a distinct austerity on the tight, linear and mouth coating finish. This is not really fashioned in the typical 2009 lush and opulent style as it's as much 2008 as 2009. This clearly needs time because while it is much more harmonious than the markedly awkward cask sample, it nevertheless isn't showing all of its considerable potential. Note that I would not suggest opening a bottle until at least 2016 or so.

Medium red. Slightly high-toned perfume of raspberry, mint and blood orange. Concentrated, vinous and firm, with excellent energy and a medicinal reserve to the nicely delineated red berry and mineral flavors. Stands out more for its juiciness than its fat, but there's plenty of texture here. Finishes brisk, firm and powerful, with enticing sweetness and complex saline soil tones. My bottle was still remarkably fresh after five days in the refrigerator. Winemaker Jacques Lardiere noted last year that he clearly preferred the Cote de Nuits in 2009, but this wine is a standout.

A very ripe yet solidly complex and broad-ranging nose of red currant, raspberry and spicehints leads to lightly earth-suffused middle weight flavors that possess good detail as well as solid mid-palate density on thedusty, firm and slightly clipped finish. This may very well come together but at present, it's showing awkwardly. (87-90)/2016+

Medium red. Laid-back aromas of redcurrant, minerals, leather and oak. Dense, chewy and nicely concentrated but at the same time elegantly styled. The slowly mounting finish features broad, fine-grained tannins and excellent length. A very strong showing. Lardiere notes that his Beaune wines are aging in about 40% new oak.