2018 Henri Magnien Ruchottes Chambertin Grand Cru

The 2018 Ruchottes-Chambertin Grand Cru is very promising, unwinding in the glass with a delicate bouquet of cherries, red berries, rose petals, peonies and blood orange, framed by a discreet application of new oak. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, deep and layered, its core of succulent fruit framed by elegantly powdery tannins.

20% whole bunch. Bottled. Peppery and fragrant, seductive in an elegant, shy way. Moreish and succulent on the palate, tannins as fine as layers of paper. Elegant and long. (JH)

The 2018 Ruchottes-Chambertin Grand Cru comes from 0.16 hectares equally dispersed over oolite blanche and Prémeaux limestone bedrock, with an average vine age of 50 years. It has a dense, powerful bouquet with pressed violets infusing intense black fruit; touches of blood orange develop with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and a fine bead of acidity. Quite powerful and structured for this Grand Cru, with a precise, focused finish that will require 5–6 years in bottle. Great potential.