2009 Domaine Sylvain Cathiard, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru, En Orveaux

Good deep red. Wild berries, black cherry, menthol and stone on the expressive nose. Juicy, spicy and aromatic on the palate, but also with the creaminess of the vintage. Very ripe but nicely structured wine with lovely lingering sweetness. Cathiard notes that this cuvee has shown more volume in the last three or four vintages and that he's now working these 56-year-old vines with a horse (along with Reignots and Romanee-Saint-Vivant), as it's difficult to get a tractor in.

Outstanding. A ripe and exceptionally fresh nose of pure spice as well as slightly darker fruit that is mostly blue and black in character. The rich, supple and generous flavors are supported by bright acidity and firm but fine tannins that together with the copious dry extract confer a sophisticated and seductive mouth feel onto the mouth coating and mineral suffused finish. This is lovely and really quite fine. Drink: 2017+.

– Burghound.com, Issue 41. Tasted: Jan 2011