2011 Domaine Faiveley, Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru

Bright, deep red. Very deep aromas and flavors of raspberry, redcurrant, smoke and crushed rock. At once penetrating and utterly fine-grained; explosive sappy perfume fills the mouth without leaving any impression of weight. Pinot just doesn't pull off this trick anywhere but in Burgundy's top sites. Finishes with noble tannins and outstanding palate-staining length.

Tasted blind at the Burgundy 2011 horizontal tasting in Beaune. The Mazis-Chambertin 2011 from Faiveley has an exquisite bouquet that is initially understated, but opens with little encouragement to offer brambly red fruit, wild strawberry and red cherries, light mineral notes in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with sensual, lithe and ripe tannins, well-judged acidity and quite a dense, sour cherry finish that is very long in the mouth. This is sophisticated and intellectual – a great Mazis-Chambertin.