2010 Morey St Denis Les Loups

(this premier cru comes from one-third of a hectare within the Clos des Lambrays): Moderately saturated medium red. Precise, complex nose offers raspberry, blood orange, citrus zest and spices. Lush, seamless and vibrant, with noteworthy energy to the flavors of tart red berries, cardamom and stone. Finishes with very ripe, firm, fine-grained tannins and much more length and lingering perfume than the village wine. Just four barrels made in 2010.

The 2010 Morey St. Denis Les Loups emerges from the glass with intensely perfumed wild flowers, spices and sweet herbs. Despite its transparency and deceptively mid-weight personality, the 2010 has plenty of mid-palate depth and presence. The flavors build nicely to the silky, textured finish. This is a terrific showing. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022. Domaine des Lambrays’s 2010s are outstanding. Yields were down approximately 30% mostly because of the irregular flowering, recounts estate manager Thierry Brouin. The Morey villages was made from entirely destemmed fruit, while the Loups and Clos des Lambrays were vinified with 100% whole bunches. The wine saw approximately 15 days of cuvaison with 5-6 pigeages a day. The wines were chaptalized a little less than one degree. Importer: Peter Weygandt, Unionville, PA; tel. (610) 486-0800