Louis Jadot, Beaune Premier Cru (Burgundy, France) 2009

 A special bottling to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Maison Louis Jadot, one of Burgundy’s best producers, this Beaune Premier Cru is a blend of approximately 20 different premier cru vineyards, according to Frédéric Barnier, Jadot’s new technical director who will be replacing the legendary Jacques Lardière next year.  Although Jadot owns vineyards and makes wines from throughout the Cote d’Or, they are based in Beaune and wanted to create, as Barnier says, “an expression of Beaune.” They have succeeded admirably. It is just being released, a year later than Jadot’s other 2009s, because they aged it in tank longer to allow all of the various components to come together.  Quite opulent, especially for a wine from Beaune, it reflects of the great 2009 vintage.  Despite its richness, it’s not heavy and has wonderful structure.  Its silky texture and interplay of fruit and herbal notes makes it all the more engaging.  It’s easy to enjoy now, but knowing how Jadot’s wines evolve, I’d have no hesitancy about cellaring it for a decade.