Discreet wood sets off a highly reserved and not quite as overtly ripe nose of dark berries, earth, and animale nuances that are trimmed in notes of spice, in particular anise, sandalwood and exotic tea scents. There is superbly good detail and focused power to the large-scaled flavors that also possess an outstanding concentration of structure buffering dry extract that imparts a sappy texture to the intensely mineral-driven and explosively long finish. This is a youthfully austere example of the genre that is presently quite compact and linear and thus will require at least a decade to flesh out and unwind but if you have the patience to wait it should be a great Chambertin in 20+ years.

Rousseau's 2012 Chambertin towers out of the glass. Sophisticated, finessed yet also powerful to the core, the 2012 Chambertin captures a compelling range of expressions. Crushed flowers, sweet red berries, mint, leather and cedar meld into a huge core of fruit in a dramatic, powerful Chambertin that will require considerable bottle age to show the full breadth of its potential

Tasted blind at the annual 'Burgfest' tasting in Beaune. The 2012 Chambertin Grand Cru has a touch of mint on the nose, complementing the mixture of red and black fruit, a pastille-like purity developing with time. This is very charming and the oak is neatly folded into the fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, the acidity perfectly judged and lending the tension and poise one expects from a Chambertin. It does lose a little intensity in the glass but it's from such a high point it is neither here nor there. This is a wonderful Chambertin.

Healthy medium red. Reticent aromas of redcurrant, black cherry, raspberry and smoky minerality. Hugely concentrated and sweet, but in a distinctly cooler and less expressive style than the Clos de Bèze. Sappy, saline wine with an incredible whiplash of a finish that leaves the palate saturated. Showing more red fruits than black in the early going, this is still an infant.

100% new oak. Much more aromatic than the Clos de Bèze. Magnificent stuff that makes you wonder how a humble grape could have caused all this flavour. Not the heaviest Chambertin ever but such integrity and richness. Some chestnut notes and lots of sinew. Certainly not sweet but with masses of rich fruit. Zesty and polished.