2020 Domaine Duroche, Latricieres-Chambertin Grand Cru

The 2020 Latricières-Chambertin Grand Cru has the potential to emerge as Duroché's finest to date, but I suspect it will require a touch more patience to hit its peak than the demonstrative 2019. Unfurling in the glass with aromas of cassis and blackberry mingled with licorice, orange zest, peonies and sweet spices, it's medium to full-bodied, velvety and concentrated, with a fleshy core of fruit, lively acids and a seamless, layered profile. Animated by a bright spine of acidity, it's a brilliant bottle in the making.

The 2020 Latricières-Chambertin Grand Cru is quintessential Latricières on the nose, a little conservative and "correct", more tertiary than Pierre Duroché’s other cuvées, touches of wilted rose petal emerging with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with lithe tannins, lightly spiced, displayed a very fine spine with touches of tobacco, white pepper and graphite on the finish. Classic in style, this should age wonderfully in bottle.