The 2013 Ruchottes-Chambertin Grand Cru is another that Frédéric was enthusing over as we tasted through the barrel samples. Sure, it has a refined bouquet: strawberry, raspberry preserve, fine minerality and a touch of undergrowth. For me, the palate does not have the complexity as Mugneret-Gibourg’s or even the Charmes- or Mazis-Chambertin. A second barrel shows more energy and vibrancy, the fruit slightly more confit, so let us see how it turns out once in bottle.

Good dark red. Reduced nose dominated by strawberry and raspberry. Wonderfull silky on entry, then quite closed on the back half, with the element of reduction carrying through on the palate. Showed some enticing dark raspberry and game notes with air. Finishes firmly tannic but not dry. This wine was tough to taste following Rousseau's top 2014s but it boasts sneaky length.

The 2013 Ruchottes-Chambertin-Clos des Ruchottes is one of the more perfumed, lifted wines in the range. There is good depth on the attack and through the mid-palate but the finish turns a bit compact, albeit with lovely invigorating freshness. It will be interesting to see if the 2013 gains a bit more weight in bottle. Today, the Ruchottes lacks the nobility of the very finest wines in the range.