2005 Nuits St Georges Clos de l'Arlot

The 2005 Nuits-St.-Georges Clos de l ‘Arlot displays fresh black cherry, plum, narcissus and smoked meat aromas, a silky texture and richly fruited palate, and a strikingly salty, marine mineral character that lingers lip-smackingly. This wine’s having just been sulfured, racked and assembled in tank did not seem to be adversely affecting it, but it might well benefit from short-term rest. Jean-Pierre de Smet – who managed this estate since its 1987 purchase by the French insurance group AXA – has just turned over the reins to his young technical director Olivier Leriche. Practices here have been certified as biodynamic now for two years. The 2005s were all fermented with whole clusters. Numerous agents and U.S. importers including: Chambers & Chambers, San Francisco, CA; tel. (415) 642 5500, Classic Wine Imports, Norwood, MA, tel. (781) 352 1100, Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300

Bright, dark red. Reduced aromas of briary black cherry, smoked meat and coffee. Silky-sweet in the mouth, with more buffering material for its firm tannins than the Petits Plets. There's still a hint of barnyard reduction but this is suave and fat with fruit. Combines the elegance of this vineyard with the power of the vintage.

Rich if mossy nose. Mouthfilling fruit though lots of acidity and not quite a whole. (JR)