2013 Chambertin Grand Cru Magnum Henri Boillot

The 2013 Chambertin Grand Cru was picked on the same day as the Clos de Bèze and matured entirely in new 350 liter oak barrels. It has an attractive floral bouquet that is more expressive compared to the Clos de Bèze at the moment, boysenberry and raspberry coulis notes developing with time. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp, slightly chalky tannins, a crisp line of acidity and fine tension right through to the very finish. This is a classy Chambertin that needs several years in bottle.

Moderately saturated medium red. Rather wild, oaky nose conveys a slightly medicinal quality and pepper and smoke notes, with primary fruits in the deep background. Sweet and supple in the mouth, showing a distinct gamey quality and a complicating note of dried flowers. Finishes saline and oaky, with an early toughness to its tannins. This wine was aged entirely in François Frères barrels, but I prefer the oak element in the 2014 Chambertin. Lots of fascinating disparate elements here but this will take a while to come together in the bottle.