The 2009 Mes Favorites from Domaine Alain Burguet et Fils is a very fresh and vibrant example of this ripe vintage. The bouquet is quite stylish in its blend of sappy black cherries, grilled meats, dark soil tones, woodsmoke, chocolate and a discreet base of vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and quite plush on the attack, with a sappy core, sound acids, fine focus and grip and a long, moderately tannic and very well-balanced finish. This wine shows absolutely no signs of straying over the line into the realm of sur maturité and is a very fine example of 2009. It will drink sooner than the 2010 version, but should keep very well and offer up a long window of peak drinkability. (JG)