1991 Chambolle Musigny Les Cras

NOTE: Some of these wines also appear under the Ghislaine Barthod label. This well-run estate continues to make better and better wines. The 1991s are equal to their 1990s. Many of Barthod's 1991 premier crus have an element of what the French call "sur-maturite." This adds to their character as the fruit is so ripe. What one gets are wonderfully expansive, sweet black-cherry aromas and flavors. There is a fatness to these 1991s that has more in common with many 1990s. The 1991 Chambolle-Musigny-Les Beaux Bruns is soft, but slightly more structured, as is the 1991 Chambolle-Musigny-Les Cras, easily the most backward and tannic of the Barthod premier cru Chambolle-Musignys. The 1991 Chambolle-Musigny-Les Charmes falls between the tannic, muscular style of Les Cras and the open knit, ripe, fat, fleshy style of Les Baudes. These are rich, well-balanced, gloriously fruity, and complex red burgundies that will make excellent drinking over the next decade. Importer: Select Vineyards, Neal Rosenthal, New York, NY.