The 2009 Morgon Belles Grives – representing as usual a second Duboeuf blend (beyond their “selection” flower label) from across several of this appellation’s sub-regions, and tasted from tank – smells of strawberry and cherry preserves with hints of raw beef. Infectiously juicy and bright, it finishes invigoratingly and saliva-inducing with tart berry skin and salt, yet an undertone of meatiness also persists that is apt to become more prominent as the wine evolves, which it ought to do nicely for 3-4 years. The vast and on the whole stylistically consistent range of Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais bottlings – a majority issuing from individual domaines – represents a reliable source of value, and this has seldom been more true (nor has the range – most, but not all of which, I tasted – been more vast) than from 2009, which it is clear Duboeuf considers as fine a vintage as he has witnessed – although he notes, “It was very difficult this year to choose the date of bottling,” and many wines were still in tank awaiting that decision when I tasted in April. I continue to find as a general rule that Duboeuf’s wines are best drunk within two years of bottling, so in my notes I have made reference to aging potential only for any wines that I expect might be exceptions to that rule of thumb. (Wines identified solely by their appellation are so-called “Selections Georges Duboeuf” cuvees, labeled with his company’s signature flower labels. There are Regnie and Chenas selection bottlings that I did not taste, the latter being the sole bottling of its appellation this vintage, due to the ravages of hail.)Importer: William Deutsch & Son Ltd., White Plains, NY; tel. (914) 251-9463