2009 Maison Ilan Charmes-Chambertin

Allen Meadows' Burghound, Jan 2011
A very expressive nose that is at once earthy and ripe speaks of both red and blue berry fruits laced with underbrush and a hint of the sauvage that continues onto the textured, dense and focused broad-shouldered flavors that possess excellent phenolic maturity and superb complexity and length. I like the sense of harmony and there is a generosity to the finish that is beguiling.   91-94 points.

John Gilman's View from the Cellar, Jan 2011
The Charmes-Chambertin is made from fifty year-old vines and was raised in one-third new oak in 2009, as Ray needed a third barrel in this vintage and his only option was a new one at the time he decided his production was going to be sufficient to support another full barrel. The wine is really a fine example of the vintage, as it jumps from the glass in blend of black cherries, plums, raw cocoa, a touch of background meatiness, fresh herb tones and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is deep, full- bodied, pure and youthful, with fine-grained tannins, sound acids and really lovely length and grip on the focused and still fairly primary finish. Fine juice.   93 points.