2002 Chambolle Musigny Les Amoureuses

Black pepper and dark berries are found in the aromatic profile of the 2002 Chambolle-Musigny Les Amoureuses. Thick, muscular, elegant, and a hedonist’s delight, it coats the palate with a fresh red cherry syrup, loads of minerals, blackberries, stones, and, as Millet pointed out, pomegranates. Medium to full-bodied and velvety-textured, this is an outstanding wine with a long, persistent finish. Projected maturity: 2006-2016. Importers: Importer: David Hinkle, North Berkeley Imports, Berkeley, CA; tel. (800) 266-6585; A David Schildknecht Selection, Vintner Select, Cincinnati, OH; tel. (513) 229-3630; Vin Divino, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 334-6700; Chambers & Chambers, Inc., San Francisco, CA; tel. (415) 642-5500; Dreyfus Ashby, New York, NY; tel. (212) 818-0770; Ideal Wines, Medford, MA; tel. (781) 395-3300; and a Becky Wasserman Selection / Le Serbet; French Fax: 011-33-3-80-24-29-70; various American importers.

Deep ruby-red. Exotic, slightly high-toned aromas of black raspberry, pomegranate, blood orange and cracked pepper. Rich, ripe and downright sexy; supersweet for this cuvee at this early stage. Began with big, broad, dusty tannins but seemed less tannic on second taste. Really filled out impressively in the glass. There's strong minerality lurking underneath the wine's sappy fruit.