1985 Maison Joseph Drouhin Chambolle-Musigny Les Amoureuses 1er Cru

The 1985 Chambolle-Musigny Les Amoureuses 1er Cru has an ethereal, red-berry-scented bouquet that epitomizes the word Pinoté, insofar as it conjures up beguiling transparency and focus. The palate is elegant, built upon filigreed tannin and exquisitely balanced, and presenting exuberant red cherries and strawberry on the mineral-suffused finish. This is not a powerful 1985 and time has abraded its opulence, yet every sip urges just one more. An absolutely gorgeous Les Amoureuses.

Tasted at the Chambolle Amoureuses vertical in London, this was the second occasion that I have tasted the 1985 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru les Amoureuses from Drouhin. It repeated the impressive showing three years earlier: an almost ethereal, red berry bouquet that is the essence of "Pinoté" - that beguiling transparency and focus. The palate is elegant, built upon filigree tannin, exquisite balance with exuberant red cherries and strawberry on the mineral-driven finish. It is not a powerful les Amoureuses and has dispensed with some of its opulence, but I can guarantee that you will savor it to the very last drop. Wonderful. Tasted November 2015.