Joseph Faiveley, Bourgogne Rouge (Burgundy, France) 2009

($22, Frederick Wildman):  Bourgogne Rouge comes from the least well-sited vineyards in Burgundy, ones that frequently don’t produce fully ripe grapes.  The virtue of the 2009 vintage is that the warmth of the growing season ripened grapes even in the least desirable parcels.  That’s why I’m so enthusiastic about the “lesser” red wines from that year.  Faiveley’s 2009 Bourgogne Rouge reflects the vintage and delivers clean and pure ripe cherry-like fruitiness coupled with bright minerality.  This is an easy-to-recommend satisfying wine that shows the uniqueness of Pinot Noir grown in Burgundy. 88 Michael Apstein Oct 16, 2012