Ruby/black colored, the Savigny-Les-Beaune Les Narbantons (125 cases) exhibits a gorgeous, raspberry, stone and mineral packed nose with well-delineated flavors of wild red and black berries and spices in its powerful and full-bodied, thick personality. It should be at its best between 2002-2010. This note is the result of tastings I did in Burgundy between January 7 and January 29. The wine was tasted from cask, not bottle. Pinot Noir, a fragile varietal, reacts poorly to fining, filtration, and careless bottling techniques, I recommend caution when considering buying a red burgundy based on cask samples. I called it as I tasted it, and hope the bottled wine reflects the quality of the samples I was provided. I have included the cases production for the wine in order for readers to appreciate the rarity of Leroy's wines. Importer: Martine's Wines, San Raphael, CA; tel. (415) 485-1800.

Ripe and supple, this is a sweet-tasting Pinot Noir with spice, mocha, toasted oak, blackberry and cassis flavors. Medium-bodied, with some chewy tannins for now, it ends with a delicate finish. Try from 1998 to 2000 with lighter foods. -PM