(90-92) (this wine and the estate's crus were still in barrel in mid-January): Saturated red-ruby. Distinctly dark, oak-influenced aromas of black cherry, bitter chocolate and licorice. Denser, darker and deeper than the basic village Gevrey, with fully ripe dark berry and spice flavors lifted by a mineral component. Today the unabsorbed gas accentuates the wine's serious tannins, but this very concentrated wine (some of these vines are nearly 100 years old) has the density to ensure a graceful evolution in bottle. Leaves behind a high note of violet.- ST

(89-91) Moderately generous wood frames aromas that are similar but even more complex and the better depth continues onto the denser and more powerful medium weight flavors yet the mouthfeel is relatively sleek if not actually refined, all wrapped in a muscular finish that flashes evident minerality. This will need a few years to round out the firm tannins but this should ultimately prove to be an excellent Gevrey villages plus it has an excellent track record for rewarding extended cellaring if that's your preference.