The Red Wines of Burgundy and the Rhone Valley

Well, the subject of Burgundy is pretty staggering. What it comes down to is you are really supposed to know about 1 gajillion towns, vineyards and producers to figure out where the good stuff is. And I used to think, hey, they're in France, so they must know how to make wine, right? We tasted 8 from Burgundy and 2 from the Rhone. Another useful hint I learned from Mr. Zraly: "If you can see through a red wine, it's ready to drink!"

1. Beaujolais Villages, Louis Jadot 2007 (Beaujolais): A clear red, with a young raspberry/floral/yeast aroma; started pretty acidic, with a subtle fruit end. Drink slightly chilled, and eat fish with this one. $10/bottle.
   
2. Fleurie, Georges Duboeuf 2007 (Beaujolais): Pale ruby, with earthy, dried fruit smell; a sharp zingy beginning, diving into a flat-ish finish. Pair with goat cheese. $12-15.
3. Mercurey, Domaine Faiveley 2006 (Côte Châlonnaise): At last, a pinot noir: Pale red with pink edges, aroma of honey and leather; acidic, then blossoming into balance, dry at the end. $25.
4. Santenay 2002, Joseph Drouhin (Côte de Beaune): A light brick with an "onion skin" edge, hint of vanilla; zippy, but very little fruit, out of balance. "In need of aging." $35.
5. Beaune Clos des Mouches, Drouhin 1999 (Côte de Beaune): Light red, thin edges, a powdery, sweet, "dead leaf" scent; balanced, minerally, sweet fruit, an elegant glass. A few bits and pieces in this one; apparently as the tannin diminishes in older wine, it becomes sediment. At least $100.
6. Gevrey-Chambertin, Bouchard Père & Fils 2005 (Côte de Nuits): Ruby with pale edges, leafy, buttery, minerally aroma; a clean start, bright and elegant with lingering fruit. A pinot noir aged in oak, and my favorite of this tasting. $48.
7. Vosne-Romanée, Les Suchots 2005, Maison Champy (Côte de Nuits): Subtle fruit/toast smell, a dry hit of oak that overpowers the fruit. $85.
8. Clos de Vougeot, R. Dubois & Fils 2005 (Cote de Nuits): Medium red with bright edges, a woodsy, fruity bouquet with an alcohol slap; metallic, quickly drying, zero fruit finish. Out of balance, "needs to age." $75.
9. Crozes Hermitage, Les Jalets, Jaboulet 2005 (Northern Rhone Valley): Dark red, a syrupy, peppery scent; fruity spice flavor, low acid in this 100 percent syrah. $20 (a great value -- "tastes like a $40 bottle.")
10. Chateauneuf du Pape 2001, Guigal (Southern Rhone Valley): Brick color, a bit of a rubbery smell, a warming, slightly metallic taste. Steak with this one (no wonder I didn't like it). $A lot.