2005 Nuits-Saint-Georges Aux Boudots 1er Cru

Alain Meunier told me the harvest was drawn out in 2005 due to wide differences in fruit maturity. After bringing in the Cote de Nuits-Villages and Chambolle-Musigny, he stopped for a full week, which he said brought better phenolic ripeness without loss of acidity. "And conditions were favorable; the harvest was ripe and clean," he added. "There was nothing to eliminate." Meunier believes that his 2004s will develop rapidly. He had to pick rapidly due to encroaching rot, he said, and for that reason some of the wines lack material despite possessing rather full alcohol levels. (Robert Kacher Selections, Washington, D.C.) Also recommended: Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Fleurieres (85), Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru (86).