Dark red. Ineffable aromas of red berries, mint, crushed stone and flowers. At once silky and taut, with outstanding inner-mouth energy and perfume to the powerful, penetrating flavors of berries, flowers, spices and minerals. Seems to combine the aromatic perfume of the Clos Saint-Jacques with the tension and spine of the Clos de Beze--and to take them to a higher level. This remarkable wine, utterly harmonious from the outset, saturates the palate with extract on the unflagging finish. It's nearly impossible to spit this. Give this 10 or 12 years and then enjoy it over the following decade or two. Remarkably, this wine was made from a healthy yield of nearly 40 hectoliters per hectare.

The 2009 Chambertin Grand Cru is relatively youthful in appearance. It has a vibrant nose with kirsch, orange sorbet, rose petals and light Earl Grey aromas. It becomes increasingly floral and complex in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with an attractive tertiary quality and a healthy white pepper dose. Very harmonious with a touch of chalkiness. I would have liked more depth, though real elegance is in situ and seems to grow in the glass. Tasted at the 2009 horizontal at Club 1243.

The 2009 Chambertin is breathtaking in its beauty. It boasts gorgeous textural depth and richness in its eternal, endless layers of fruit. This is a totally seamless wine that captures the style of the year and the personality of the vineyard. A sweet note of cassis lingers on the finessed finish.