2009 Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin Les Cherbaudes Vieille Vignes 1er Cru

Very high acidity and ripeness too. Chewy finish with astringency. Extremely youthful. Bone dry but quite bitter on the end. (JR)

The 2009 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Cherbaudes is a big, intense wine that stains the palate with generous fruit. The Cherbaudes exudes depth, richness and power. It isn't Fourrier's most elegant wine but it is among the most expressive today. The virile side of Gevrey is on full display here. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2029. Count me among the Burgundy fans who are thrilled Jean-Marie Fourrier chose not to pursue the career as a commercial airline pilot for which he studied. Fourrier began picking on September 17. The fruit was destemmed. Cuvaison lasted around 14 days but Fourrier commented that he had an unusually high (50%) amount of shot berries, which had the effect of extending the fermentations for another week or so. The malos started and ended early, hence Fourrier decided to bottle early as well. Per his usual practice, Fourrier left the wines on the lees with no racking until the wines were prepared for bottling. On average the wines saw 20% new oak. I tasted all of the 2009s from bottle. Importer: Rosenthal Wine Merchant, Pine Plains, NY; tel. (800) 910-1990

Medium bright red. Precise aromas of red cherry, fresh herbs, flowers and spices, with good mineral, medicinal lift. Rich, deep and sweet but suave, with good sappy density and definition to the flavors of red fruits and black cherry. Finishes sappy and long, with nicely coated tannins.