2005 Bourgogne Rouge Les Perrieres

The 2005 Bourgogne Les Perrieres (from a rocky plateau behind the Montchenevoy) is scented exotically with spices and flowers. In the mouth, it offers smoky, meaty flavors and considerable depth of ripe blackberry fruit, along with chalk and wet stone mineral suggestions. This wine’s length belies its humble appellation. Malolactic fermentations took place without delay and Patrick Bize had bottled many of the wines already in November. A significant portion of whole clusters were included in most of the fermentations. Wines from this address seldom make concessions to early drinkability or cheap thrills, and the inherently concentrated, darkly toned 2005s are certainly no exception. A Becky Wassserman Selection (various importers), Le Serbet, Beaune; fax 011-33-3-80-24-29-70.