The 2017 Chambolle-Musigny Village had been racked three weeks earlier. I tasted from a used barrel, but the final blend will include 20% new wood. The perfumed nose, mainly of black fruit here, reveals a touch of pressed iris that is nicely defined. The palate is replete with crunchy black fruit and a hint of cassis. Very transparent, easygoing and nonchalant in style, with a harmonious and tender finish.

The 2017 Chambolle-Musigny Village looks to be a charming, open-knit rendition of this routinely superb representation of the commune, with supple, already melting tannins and a succulent core of sweet fruit. It will fill out and gain dimension with additional élevage, but it clearly stands in contrast to the atypically concentrated 2016 and the ripe, powerful but beautifully balanced 2015.

20% new oak but this sample is not from a new barrel (same applies to all the wines tasted in situ). Much more Chambolle than the Bourgogne, redder fruit and a touch floral. Weightless, aérien , very fine tannins, with a darker and more savoury finish, more mineral and pencil-like on the aftertaste. A lovely dustiness in the dry finish. Light on its feet. Amazingly long for a village wine. (JH)