Tasted alongside the '05 Arnaud Ente Goutte D'Or (see TN), this was a more classically styled Meursault. An intense nose of tropical fruit leads to racy, superbly delineated citrus and mineral flavors that are judiciously framed by oak. Delicious and already well balanced, though very young.

Tasted alongside the '05 Mikulski Meursault Charmes, this was even more intense and tight. Kiwi/tropical fruit, citrus, and nuts. Big new oak that needs more time to integrate. Wonderful depth of flavor; terrific supporting acidity. At present, this has a flavor profile and depth of minerality that is more strongly reminiscent of a Grand Cru Chablis than Meursault, but this wine is too young to be written off as atypical of its terroir.

Medium brick red core, with considerable amber and a nearly-transparent rim. Nice gutsy, earthy nose. The palate shows moderately concentrated, ripe sour cherries, forest floor, and slight VA. Fun and interesting, with a good core of fruit, but past its prime. Held itself together admirably for about 30 minutes, and then fell apart.

Youthful deep maroon color, with slight lightening. A slight touch of wood spice on the initial nose. Glorious, complex perfumed layers of red cherry fruit and spice. Smooth, silky, and floral. A panoply of secondary flavors including black tea, brown sugar, and baking spices. Meaty, juicy midpalate. Marvelous length. A terrific showing.

Dark color. A slightly off-putting nose of anise, barnyard, and slight VA. The palate is much better, showing nicely concentrated black cherry fruit. Concentrated, long, and a bit swampy. Interestingly, this got much silkier and fruitier with time in the glass.

Brilliant ruby color with very slight bricking. Perfumed, high-toned nose of sweet, earthy cherry fruit. On the palate this is lacy, silky, supple, and sneakily intense, with complex earthy and floral secondary flavors that surround a gorgeous core of pure red fruit. A wonderful expression of this terroir. Fantastic.

Youthful dark color with no bricking. Tasted alongside the '96 Drouhin and Mugnier Musigny, this was noticably oakier, darker-fruited, and leaner in texture. Black cherries, dried herbs, baking spices, and oak/vanilla. Good concentration and supporting acidity. The fruit grew increasingly intense with air. I undoubtedly would have liked this better had it not been for the tough competition in our lineup tonight.

Gloriously perfumed nose. Incredibly rich layers of black cherries, herbs, and spice that culminate in a long, savory finish. A complete wine with near-perfect balance. Lacy, silky texture. A glorious, classic Musigny, and a notch better than the bottle I was lucky enough to taste last year. Unanimous WOTN.

This bottle was marred by a bizarre soapy/detergent/vinyl smell that unfortunately refused to dissipate. Underneath this was an impenetrable, fascinating core of dark cherry fruit. There was some uncertainty around the table as to whether this was just closed down, but I am quite sure that this was (tragically) a badly flawed bottle.