2002 Domaine Jacques Prieur Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru

Dark red-ruby. Sweet aromas of dark cherry and licorice. Juicy, spicy and intense, with palate-saturating flavors of briary berries, minerals, spices and earth. Dense, rising finish throws off notes of berries, spices and earth. Uncompromising, youthfully bracing Clos Vougeot.

Yes, I admit it. I was convinced Prieur had screwed up by placing the 2002 Clos Vougeot after his Chambertin and Musigny, particularly after tasting the heights they achieved in this stellar vintage. I was wrong, it deserved the place of honor. Monstrous amounts of spices imbued with blackberries are found in its powerful aromatics. It is full-bodied, revealing a massive breadth, a liqueur of syrupy cassis and blackberries that linger seemingly forever in the mouth. Its broad shoulders, perfect ripeness, and fabulous density of fruit must be experienced to be believed. This stunning wine melds super-ripe characteristics with exquisite balance, nobility with boisterousness. Projected maturity: 2009-2024. Bravo! Importers: William Deutsch and Sons, White Plains, NY; tel. (914) 251-9463; and Winesellers, Ltd., Skokie, IL; tel. (847) 679-0121