2005 Pommard Les Epenots

The Le Moine 2005 Pommard Epenots underwent a very late malo and was a bit gaseous and reduced when I tasted. Smelling smoky, meaty, and ripely red-fruited, if slightly oaky, in the mouth this was overtly leesy but remarkably deep in its red meat and red berry richness and possessed of a finer tannic grain and more polish than one usually finds in Pommard. Lightly-salted beef juices, fresh strawberry and cherry, and chalky minerality inform the finish. In what proves to be typical Lucien Le Moine fashion, this combines overt creaminess and fat with purity and flavor delineation. Importer: Vintus, Pleasantville, NY; tel. (919) 769-3000

Good deep red. Quite reduced following the recent (September) end to the malolactic fermentation, hinting at musky red berries and chocolate. Broad, dense and backward, with reduced flavors of black raspberry and smoke. This very young wine's strong tannic spine is accompanied by an impressive whiplash of flavor on the back.