2015 - Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru, Cecile Tremblay

With this vintage, Tremblay hit new heights, and her 2015 Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru is closing in on her stunning Echézeaux little by little with bottle age. Soaring from the glass with aromas of cherries, cassis and plums mingled with rose petals, sweet soils tones, exotic spices and a discreet patina of creamy new oak, it's full-bodied, fleshy and textural, with huge depth and concentration, lively acids and ripe, powdery tannins. Multidimensional and complete, it's one of the great wines of the vintage. "In the vats, the grapes smelled just like the 2005 vintage," Tremblay reminisces, "and I was determined to do a better job than I did in 2005, and to have more fun doing it." While I would recommend readers to exercise additional patience with the 2015, I can't say I have followed my own advice, as I have already drunk two bottles of this wine this year.

The 2015 Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru has an understated, pretty, quite mineral-driven bouquet; light rose petal and iris scents develop in the glass. The palate is very well balanced, offering edgy tannin, crisp red fruit (red cherry and cranberry) and an almost symmetrical, live-wire finish that is pure class. Superb - and the plus sign indicates my view that it will improve in bottle. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting.

Intense and savoury on the nose. Then rather calm and well behaved on the palate. Good freshness and raciness. Much more appetising than the lesser wines here. Dryish end. (JR)