The 2009 Ruchottes-Chambertin is impossibly elegant. The wine literally floats on the palate with dazzling brilliance in its fruit and gorgeous, well-delineated 87 aromatics. All of the elements build towards the textured, mouth-coating finish. This is another stunning wine from Roumier.

Tasted out of barrel at the Domaine. Although not as generous as the Charmes-Chambertin on the nose, it has more mineralite and poise. Crushed stones, dark berried fruit and a touch of oyster shell. The palate is very well balanced with more attack and precision than the Charmes, filigree tannins towards the finish with a citric thread of freshness. Long and persistent. Excellent. Tasted January 2011.

(racked four days before my visit; from a crop level of 30 hectoliters per hectare, according to Roumier) Good full red. Highly spicy, slightly liqueur-like aromas of raspberry, cherry and minerals. Suave on entry, then light on its feet, with a captivating smoothness to its well-delineated flavors of wild red berries and minerals. This is distinctly more vibrant than the Combottes. Has the flesh to support its firm tannins. Roumier notes that this wine was a bit mellower before the racking, and agrees that it's showing more tannins now. Lots of potential here.