2009 Domaine Arlaud Père & Fils Clos de la Roche Cuvée Unique Reserve Grand Cru

(30% vendange entier): Medium bright red with a palish rim. Enticing, high-pitched aromas of black cherry and flowers. Juicy and tight today, hiding more than it's showing. Like the Combottes, this is not a bodybuilder style or a heavily extracted wine, but there's a solid, sappy core of fruit and plenty of material in reserve to support aging. Finishes with a dusting of ripe tannins, a note of menthol and noteworthy persistence. (ST)