2012 Chambertin Clos de Beze

(harvested on September 25, about a week before the Chambertin; 20% vendange entier): Bright medium red; lighter than the Chambertin. Great perfume and detail on the nose, hinting at red berries, rose petal and spices. Utterly silky yet high-pitched in the mouth; less powerful than the Chambertin but with ineffable high-pitched perfume and saline lift to the raspberry, mineral and white pepper flavors. Finishes with outstanding aromatic persistence and lift: this one made me shiver with pleasure. Marchand has two totally different Chambertins in the making in 2012, both of them potentially great.