2019 Domaine Jean Grivot, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru, La Combe d'Orveau

The 2019 Chambolle-Musigny La Combe d’Orveau has a sensual bouquet of dark berry fruit, undergrowth and a very slight dark chocolate note that will be absorbed during élevage. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins that frame the black currant and raspberry fruit. Very sleek and smooth in texture, this is a doppelgänger for a Vosne-Romanée on a finish that leaves the tongue tingling with residues of white pepper. Excellent.

Cask sample. Mid cherry with a slight purple cast. Very ripe and dark-fruited with a nutty touch that David Harvey suggests might be seed tannins. Definitely not classic Pinot nor classic Chambolle but rounded and generous and with quite a distinctive flavour that is ripe fruit, nutty and herbal. Quite odd but oddly pleasurable. (JH)