A fascinating and alluring nose to Arlaud's 2008 Morey-St.-Denis Les Millandes calls forth machine oil dark cherry purple plum caramel and vanilla. Hints of soy and of deep clean red meatiness as well as inner-mouth heliotrope and buddleia perfume add enthralling intrigue to a Morey that seems as Chambolle-like as a couple of this year's Arlaud Chambolles seemed Morey-like. The bittersweet saliva-inducing finish preserves the wine's balance of polish and invigoration. I can't recall a better Les Millandes from this cellar and it ought to be worth following for ten or a dozen years. -DS

This offers a step up in overall elegance but particularly so on the expressive red pinot fruit nose where the minerality is almost aggressive and continues onto the pure refined intense and detailed medium-bodied flavors that also culminate in a delicious and persistent finish. I like the balance and harmony here as well.