Dark but pure and very focused featuring a gorgeous beam of cassis blackberry and cherry fruit held together with a vibrant chalky edge and followed by a long floral-tinged mouthwatering finish. Rock-solid. Drink now through 2015. 150 cases imported. -JM

First of his reds to be bottled - three weeks before my visit - Amirault's 2009 Bourgueil La Coudraye smells of cassis and blackberry; comes to the palate quite full (if at just 13% alcohol) silken-textured and juicily pure-fruited with underlying suggestions of humus and a garland of high-toned herbs. While certainly denser and richer than this cuvee from sandy soils is "supposed" to be there is still ample sense of sheer refreshment accompanying its slight finishing bitterness. Plan to enjoy this over the next 2-3 years. -David Schildknecht