As would be reasonably expected, the Bienvenues possesses a distinctly more elegant if presently highly restrained nose of airy notes of honeysuckle, subtle spice, lemon peel and cool green fruit that is in keeping with the refined, pure, dry and strikingly precise medium-full flavors that coat, and stain, the palate with ample dry extract and outstanding length on the citrusy finish. This achieves its usual stunning quality but the Referts is closer than it usually is. This should peak at about 8 years of age.

91+ From 42 year old vines, the Carillon 2007 Bienvenues-Montrachet received 50% new wood since the only alternatives were 100% or 0%. This is amazingly suffused with salt, chalk, and generally oceanic matter, beneath a bed of citrus oils. But if – as Carillon correctly notes – this has more concentration, more minerality, and more amplitude than his premier crus, they seems to have come at the price of a bit of clarity, refreshment, or complexity. I would certainly like to re-visit this undeniably penetrating and formidable wine, and perhaps the moment at which I tasted it was inopportune. It’s also Carillon’s view that this cru is inherently slow to open, but while that has sometimes struck me as the case (vis a vis Batard, in particular), I'm not convinced I detect a broader pattern, and – if anything – Bienvenues has repeatedly proven memorably expressive in this vintage. Furthermore, Carillon’s 2008 Bienvenues displayed generosity and charm, even coming right out of malo. - David Schildknecht