The 2018 Ruchottes-Chambertin Grand Cru is very promising, unwinding in the glass with a delicate bouquet of cherries, red berries, rose petals, peonies and blood orange, framed by a discreet application of new oak. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, deep and layered, its core of succulent fruit framed by elegantly powdery tannins.

The 2018 Ruchottes-Chambertin Grand Cru comes from 0.16 hectares equally dispersed over oolite blanche and Prémeaux limestone bedrock, with an average vine age of 50 years. It has a dense, powerful bouquet with pressed violets infusing intense black fruit; touches of blood orange develop with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and a fine bead of acidity. Quite powerful and structured for this Grand Cru, with a precise, focused finish that will require 5–6 years in bottle. Great potential.

20% whole bunch. Bottled. Peppery and fragrant, seductive in an elegant, shy way. Moreish and succulent on the palate, tannins as fine as layers of paper. Elegant and long. (JH)