2012 Chambolle Musigny Les Amoureuses
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Tasted blind at the annual "Burgfest" tasting in Beaune. The 2012 Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru les Amoureuses has an open and generous bouquet with redcurrant, wild strawberry and raspberry preserve aromas, beautifully defined and superbly integrated with the oak. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. Smooth in texture, perhaps just needs a little more tension, though the acidity is nicely judged. The oak is more tangible in the mouth than on the palate, but it will reward cellaring. Not quite as stellar as a predicted from barrel, yet I anticipate melioration in bottle.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
One of the clear highlights in the range, the 2012 Chambolle-Musigny Les Amoureuses is simply dazzling in the way it captures both the essence of site and the pure richness of the vintage. Layers of perfumed, silky red-fleshed fruit built to a gracious, textured finish full of the resonance and pure depth that is so typical of the year. Mugnier served the Amoureuses last among his 2012s in this tasting at the domaine, and it showed beautifully, even after the Grand Crus.
Bright, dark red. Pungent aromas of raspberry, cranberry and crushed-stone minerality. Like liquid silk in the mouth, conveying compelling sweetness to its flavors of red berries, peppery herbs, dried flowers and spices. Perhaps most impressive today on the endless, palate-staining finish, which features aristocratic tannins, a saline impression of dry extract and compelling lingering perfume.
Bright, dark red. Knockout nose of crushed blueberry, violet and licorice. Dense, sappy and vibrant, with superb energy and penetration to the flavors of dark berries, peony, lavender, spices and blood orange. Classically dry and wonderfully bright, finishing with a saline impression of strong dry extract and unflagging, echoing perfume.