Similarly colored, the Santenay Clos De La Confrerie offers violet and cherry aromas as well as a medium-bodied, highly structured, and powerful mineral and blackberry-flavored palate. The barrel sample I tasted appeared a touch tannic on the finish but I suspect this will be resolved before bottling. Anticipated maturity: now-2000. The score, on a range and in parentheses, indicates that the wine was tasted from barrel.
Vincent Girardin's 1996s are generally fresher and more supple than his 1995s, but are not as concentrated or structured. Since he personally prefers softer styled wines, Girardin prefers the 1996 vintage. My feeling is that many of his 1995s will develop better over time than these delicious mid-term drinking wine.
Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel (205) 980-8802