Medium-plus colour. The first sniff is disappointing – high-toned and alcoholic – but it soon slips into an interesting and deep impression of dark cherry fruit. Good acidity and plenty of well covered tannin, good dimension too. The finish is a very long diminuendo

Much more multidimensional on the nose, super complexity. Similar to the Clos de Bèze, quite understated though perhaps the length is not quite so sneaky. The nose from this and the palate of the Clos de Bèze would be the perfect synthesis today…

Medium, medium-plus cherry-red. The nose is high-toned and, initially, a little ‘clipped’, it’s very wide but takes quite some time to take on a rounder form. The palate is not about overt density or creamy, spicy oak, rather transparency and a fine burst of intensity that crescendos into the very long finish. Vs my memory of the cask sample, I’m a little disappointed (maybe it was a different cask) as that was one of the finest wines I’ve ever tasted from barrel. In isolation this is a very fine Chambertin with great complexity and a wonderful finish. Excellent rather than great!