2006 Chambolle-Musigny

Ginger, cardamom, and hints of conifer and resin tinge bright cherry and red raspberry fruit in the nose of Roumier's 2006 Chambolle-Musigny. Lean and moderately polished on the palate, this is an excellent exhibit of the invigoration and levity of which the vintage is capable, and a bottling I would plan to enjoy over the next 3-4 years. Rigorous triage - along with Christophe Roumier's seemingly intuitive sense for the limits and potential of the vintage - have resulted in a set of 2006s here that are youthfully generous, but in the best instances will be well worth cellaring. The fermentative regimen and elevage (including no racking until assemblage, to maximize contact with lees convey both fat and structure; yet early bottling to preserve fruit) were tailored to the vintage, whereas the regimen of new wood was little changed from other recent years, meaning around one-third for the premier crus. Stems were selectively included, up to something over one-third in the grand crus. I tasted these wines from barrel at 14 months and again from bottle at 18, and they had in most instances both gained textural allure as well as structure and refined their flavors, clearly demonstrating the success of Roumier's strategy. Importer: Diageo Chateau and Estate Wines Company, New York, NY; tel. (212) 419-1400