The creamy, milky aromas of the 2001 Puligny-Montrachet La Richarde lead to a plump, light to medium-bodied, mineral-dominated personality. Its tightly-wound, compressed finish prevented it from receiving a score as high as its impressive attack would have warranted. Drink it over the next 4-5 years. Importer: Martine’s Wines, San Raphael, CA; tel. (415) 883-0400

I must say that the 2001 Puligny-Montrachet la Richarde was rather disappointing in the context of the great wines I have tasted from the estate. Lucid golden in hue, it offers marshmallow, dried honey and orange blossom on the muffled nose with a slight oxidative note. The palate is rich and decadent, but therein lies the problem, because this denudes it of minerality and tension. It might just be a case of a wine past its best. Drink up if you own any bottles. Tasted June 2016.