(this has a pH of 3.8, like the Corton Rognet): Medium red. Fresh aromas of raspberry, flowers and sexy smoky oak. Similarly bright and aromatic in the middle palate, with a delicacy to the red fruit and floral flavors. Nicely vibrant for the vintage. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins, some saline soil tones and lingering notes of red fruits and dried flowers. I would not have picked this for a high-pH wine.

The 2009 Charmes-Chambertin is open, sleek and seductive. Silky tannins frame a ripe, generous core of fruit. This is a typical 2009 Charmes, long on the fruit but lacking a touch of verve that might otherwise elevate it. Dried flowers and red berries linger on the finish. This is a true Charmes sourced from the upper portion of that vineyard. Tasted from tank.

This has a soft, espresso-tinged bouquet with tart red cherries and a touch of rose petal and crushed strawberry. The palate has a light, tensile opening, good acidity, well balanced with crisp dark berry and spice towards the fresh finish. This actually shows more guile than the Chambertin. Tasted January 2011.

Heady, sweet, liquorous, almost coconut oak nose. Then very chewy and sinewy. A bit sickly honestly. (JR)