Bright, dark ruby. Profound, utterly primary scents of crushed blackberry and licorice are a bit youthfully unforthcoming. Then wonderfully sweet and dense in the mouth, with far more complexity than the closed nose would suggest: black fruits, cherry, raspberry, licorice, meat, minerals, spices and underbrush, all lifted by an exhilarating note of orange zest. Wonderfully rich wine without any impression of undue weight. The rising, finely tannic finish hints at an almost chocolatey ripeness. Splendid potential.

The 2012 Chambertin-Clos de Bèze is massive. Constantly changing in the glass, the Bèze reveals different sides of its personality with each passing moments. At times dark, while at others more lifted and floral, the 2012 is still quite raw and in need of time in barrel to fully come together. Violets, rose petals, licorice, dried herbs and a bevy of blue/purplish fruit inform the explosive finish.