2015 Robert Groffier, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru, Les Hauts Doix

The 2015 Chambolle-Musigny Les Hauts Doix 1er Cru has a more compact, high-toned bouquet than Drouhin’s Chambolle premier cru tasted alongside, with darker fruit (blueberry and bilberry) complementing the red fruit. The palate is sweet and rounded on the entry and quite candied in style, but displays perfect acidity. There is plenty of substance toward the finish, as well as the roundness one seeks in Chambolle-Musigny. A touch of spiciness develops with aeration .This is a marvelous premier cru. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting.

Deep, bright red-ruby. Sexy scents of dark musky raspberry and rocky minerality. Chewy, rich and ripe but without any easy sweetness, conveying an impression of strong dry extract. The wine's concentrated raspberry fruit is complemented by a pronounced saline quality. With its inner-mouth tension and very long, salty finish, this sappy premier cru will need time in bottle to soften.

Cask sample. Mid crimson. Deep red fruits with a light note of reduction at the moment (a positive thing), giving it a savoury quality but opening up to Chambolle perfume. Rich and full-fruited on the palate. Generous and long with a chewy finish. (JH)