Prudhon

2002 Bourgogne red 83
2002 Chassagne-Montrachet "Les Chambres" red (85-88)
2002 St. Aubin red (83-85)
2002 St. Aubin "1er" - Cuvee les Rouges Gorges red (86-88)
2002 St. Aubin "Les Frionnes" 1er red 86
2002 St. Aubin "Sur le Sentier du Clou" Vieilles Vignes 1er red (86-88)

Gerard Prudhon told me that 2002 "is a fine vintage in both colors that delivered acceptable yields. We began the harvest on September 18th as we already had such good sugars that we were able to avoid chaptalizing certain wines. I particularly like the whites and the reds are solid too". I have to agree with Prudhon as this is clearly a better set of wines than his good but not outstanding '01s. The mise was to take place in late March and I tasted the wine in early March. (Rosenthal Wine Merchant, Shekomeko, NY; there are a number of UK distributors, including Bibendum, Wine Society, Richards Walford, Tanners and Ball Brothers, among others).

2002 Bourgogne:

Exuberant and very pinot aromas with simple but pure light weight and utterly delicious flavors and nice persistence. This would make a great picnic or casual meal wine. 83/now

2002 St. Aubin:

This is a bit more serious with an expansive, very pretty red pinot fruit nose followed by round, easy and supple flavors that possess racy finishing acidity. (83-85)/2005-8

2002 St. Aubin "Les Frionnes":

Elegant, bright and pure red fruit aromas lead to nicely complex and sappy light to barely middle weight flavors underpinned by ripe tannins and good persistence. This is definitely on the lighter side but the elegance and precision are lovely. 86/2007-10

2002 St. Aubin "1er" Cuvee les Rouges Gorges:

(from the vineyards of Sur Gamay and Le Combe; few domaines use the Sur Gamay name on the label with reds for fear it will confuse consumers. Note: les Rouges Gorges is French for robin, as in the bird). A clear step up in size and weight and here the red pinot fruit aromas are nuanced with a touch of minerality and an interesting sauvage note that introduces complex, punch and dusty flavors plus a sappy, palate staining finish. This is not a big wine and not as precise as the Frionnes but there is better overall material. (86-88)/2007-10

2002 St. Aubin "Sur les Sentier du Clou" - Vieilles Vignes:

(55+ year old vines). Spicy red pinot fruit with round, pretty, sweet and sappy middle weight flavors that possess good length. The old vine sap adds depth and if this can develop additional complexity with time, my score may be a touch conservative. (86-88)/2006-10

2002 Chassagne-Montrachet "Les Chambres":

An earthy red cherry fruit nose combines with round, supple and sweet flavors that possess a more prominent tannic spine as it dominates the dry, very firm finish. I like the extract but it's not clear that this will ever fully harmonize on the finish. (85-88)/2007-12