A rich, explosive wine, the 2012 Chambertin is endowed with fabulous depth and exceptional overall balance. Dark blue and purplish fruit give way to violets, cinnamon, licorice and lavender. Resonant on the palate yet also quite structured, the 2012 is going to need time to hit the early part of its prime drinking window, but it is striking today just the same. The Chambertin is often terrific here, as it is once again in 2012.

Tasted blind at the annual "Burgfest" tasting in Beaune. The 2012 Chambertin Grand Cru from Camille-Giroud from has the most backward nose of five Chambertins that were tasted blind: broody, sulky even, with scents of redcurrant, raspberry, gypsum and sous-bois surfacing with each swirl of the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. There is a touch of reduction that smothers the finish a little. If it can do a Taylor Swift and "shake it off," then it will merit a higher score.