2014 - Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Cras, Georges Roumier

Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2014 tasting, the 2014 Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru les Cras from Christophe Roumier was showing just a touch of reduction on the entry, but that conceals plenty of concentrated red and black fruit with outstanding purity. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, grippy in the mouth with tarry black fruit, a fine line of acidity and a powerful, demonstrative finish that clings on after the wine has departed. It reminded me of Groffier in style, but maybe it is more nuanced on the finish. Whatever...just a fantastic "bit of kit." Tasted September 2017.

Dark red with ruby tones. Sexy floral complexity to the aromas of red and darker berries. At once sweet and firm, displaying lovely density and silkiness for the year, with firm underlying minerality. Scented and precise in the middle palate and a bit youthfully medicinal on the long, rising finish. There's nothing extravagant about this classic Cras but it stands out for its clarity, finesse and suave tannins.

Higher vineyard than most, facing south east. Marnes calcaire – terres blanches. Low-vigour vines here. Theirs were planted 1931, some replanted 2002. Quite ripe and weighty with a pungent overlay. Very pure and still a little restrained. (JR)