2012 Gevrey Chambertin Les Combottes

(the quantity of fruit was down 40% in 2012 owing to the poor flowering, according to Laurent Lignier, who added that all of the berries were tiny): Bright, deep red. Aromas and flavors of black cherry, licorice and mint are lifted by a pronounced floral perfume. Densely packed and seamless, offering a lovely combination of sweetness of fruit and definition. Finishes juicy and long, with suave, serious, building tannins and a floral element that leaves the mouth perfumed.

The Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Combottes flows across the palate with gorgeous resonance and pure depth. New leather, spices and floral notes wrap around a core of resonant fruit. Even with all of its obvious texture, the Combottes has plenty of underlying structure to support cellaring. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this gem, though, as the voluptuous style will be nearly impossible to resist.