Pommard, Les Rugiens, 1er Cru,

(13.7% alcohol): Medium red. Aromas of blackberry syrup and spices. Lush, rich and sweet, with a distinctly chocolatey richness to the black cherry and blackberry flavors. Began a bit warm on the end but seemed to tighten up in the glass. Still, this is more flamboyant and exuberant than the Grand Clos des Epenots, no doubt in part because it finished its malolactic fermentation much earlier. Tannins are ripe and fine.