Once again subtle but not invisible oak frames a distinctly spicy and earthy nose of plum, dark cherry and violet aromas. There is even more size, weight and intensity to the velvety, powerful and opulent big-bodied flavors that possess an abundance of palate soaking dry extract that pushes the otherwise tightly coiled tannins to the background on the massively long finish that really fans out as it sits on the palate. This is very firmly structured but actually a bit less austere than it usually is and will probably be approachable a bit sooner than usual too. In short, this brilliant effort is one of the greatest wines of the 2013 vintage. Don’t miss!

The 2013 Chambertin is every bit as magical as the Clos de Bèze, soaring from the glass in an absolutely classic aromatic constellation of plums, red and black cherries, grilled meat, stunning complex soil tones, cocoa, woodsmoke, vanillin oak and a beautiful topnote of violets. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bdoied, pure and utterly seamless, with a very refined attack, a sappy core, stunning soil signature, fine-grained tannins and brilliant length and grip on the tangy and spectacular finish. Like the 2013 Clos de Bèze, the Rousseau Chambertin will continue to put on weight with bottle age.

The 2013 Chambertin is shaping up to be one of the wines of the vintage. Aristocratic in its bearing, the Chambertin is simply magnificent today. The overall impression is of a totally spherical wine that has no beginning and no end. Layers of flavor continue to open up in the glass in a sublime, textured wine that captures the truest essence of what Burgundy is all about. The pulsating, vibrant finish is classic 2013.

Very good deep red. Closer to the CSJ than to the CDB on the nose, offering terrific pungent lift to the aromas of black raspberry, rose petal and blood orange. Wonderfully sappy and pure, without any impression of weightiness to its saline flavors of raspberry, spices and white pepper. Utterly fine-grained, silky wine with great finesse. One of the longest, most palate-saturating wines of this vintage, finishing with noble tannins and taste bud-titilllating perfume. Perfectly balanced also but built for a glorious evolution in bottle. It would be a shame to open this bottle too soon.

Pure berry fruit and exotic, chaotic young flashes of aroma. Broad-shouldered palate, allied to real poise and focus. Very grand indeed.