1996 Chassagne Montrachet Les Chaumes

Displaying flower, mineral, and wet stone aromas, the Chassagne-Montrachet Les Chaumes is a silky, medium-to-full-bodied, well-defined, and concentrated wine. Its earthy and floral flavors linger in its admirable finish. Anticipated maturity: 2001-2006. This wine was tasted from barrel prior to racking. The rating, with the range of scores in parentheses, indicates the wine was tasted from cask, not bottle. A year ago, Jean-Marie Guffens told me that 1996 was the greatest vintage of his lifetime. While he did not repeat that comment when I visited him in November, Guffens was bursting with pride as I tasted the wines. A Peter Vezan Selection (Paris Fax # 011-33-1-42654293), importers include: North Berkeley Imports, Berkeley, CA; tel (510) 848-8910, and a Patrick Lesec Selection (Paris Fax # 011-33-1-44706293), various American importers, including Bacchus Importers (800) 525-9699.