2010 Benjamin Leroux Nuits-Saint-Georges Aux Thorey 1er Cru

The 2009 Nuits St. George Aux Thorey is outstanding. Layers of black fruit, licorice, tar, mocha and spices flow effortlessly from a deep, muscular frame endowed with tons of power and depth. The wine turns more sensual on a fleshy, textured finish graced with exceptional length. This is one of the highlights in the lineup. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2030. I continue to be impressed with the wines Benjamin Leroux is making under his own label. Leroux sources fruit from a number of top vineyards in the region. The wines are made in a facility Leroux shares with Nicolas Rossignol in the center of town. Unfortunately the 2010 Bonnes-Mares was too reduced to evaluate. A Becky Wasserman Selection, Le Serbet, imported by Veritas Imports, Beverly Hills, CA; tel. (310) 205-3803, C’Est Vin, District of Columbia; tel. (703) 243-3559, Scott Paul Wines, Oregon; tel. (503) 852-7300, Wines Unlimited, Louisiana; tel. (504) 897-0191

The 2009 Nuits St. George Aux Thorey is outstanding. Layers of black fruit, licorice, tar, mocha and spices flow effortlessly from a deep, muscular frame endowed with tons of power and depth. The wine turns more sensual on a fleshy, textured finish graced with exceptional length. This is one of the highlights in the lineup. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2030. Feb 2012, www.robertparker.com

Here too strong reduction renders the nose impossible to assess though again the underlying fruit appears ripe. There is an attractive spiciness to the earthy, rich, round and relatively refined middle weight flavors that are underpinned by dense but fine tannins and excellent length. I really like the purity of expression here as well as the fine balance. 90-92 Points