2016 Chambolle Musigny Les Bussieres

(vinified with 25% whole clusters): Good dark red. Darker, riper and muskier on the nose than the Vieilles Vignes, but showing a lively violet topnote. Riper and denser on the palate (this is from old vines), communicating a touch of smoky minerality to its dark raspberry fruit. A broader and more concentrated wine than the basic village example, with solid tannins--and showing well today.

From around 60-year-old vines on 0.5 hectares near the Morey border, the 2016 Chambolle-Musigny Les Bussières was reduced to three and a half barrels instead of the usual eight due to frost. The aromatics here were tight-lipped and offering just faint flora scents that demanded a lot of coaxing. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, very fresh in the mouth although at the moment it become quite compact toward the sorbet-like finish. Good potential but it will require 3 or 4 years in bottle.

Near Clos de la Bussière in Morey. Planted in mid 20th century. 25% new oak and approximately 25% whole bunch. On the border between Morey and Chambolle. Not much nose but good depth on the palate. Round fruit with good freshness. Still quite youthful. More depth than the Vieilles Vignes. Quite long and promising. (JR)