1997 Chambertin
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Tasting notes
The dark colored 1997 Chambertin was harvested at a whopping 14.5% natural alcohol. It reveals an exuberant nose of roses and massively ripe red and black fruit. In their youth, Chambertins are generally rather backward and ungiving, yet this powerhouse explodes on the palate with untold layers of sweet cherries and blueberries. Velvety-textured, medium to full-bodied, broad, muscular, yet refined and noble, it is stunning to drink today, and yet should evolve magnificently over the course of the next dozen or so years. Under the guidance of Martin Prieur and the assistance of Maison Rodet's highly talented wine-maker, Nadine Gublin, Domaine Jacques Prieur crafted fabulous wines from the 1997 vintage. The estate's yields averaged 28 h/h. None of its wines have a natural potential alcohol below 12.5%, and not a single offering was either chaptalized or acidified, according to Prieur and Gublin. Importers: William Deutsch and Sons, Ltd., Armonk, NY; tel (914) 273-1221; fax (914) 273-1291, and Winesellers Ltd., Skokie, IL; tel (847) 679-0121; fax (847) 679-2017.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Pierre Rovani
More reviews and scores
From grapes with 14% potential alcohol, which Prieur's enologist, Nadine Gublin describes as freakishly ripe for this cru. Moderately saturated medium red. Red fruit, faded rose, baking spices and bacon fat on the nose, plus a distinctly autumnal note of dried leaves. Lush, fat and superripe, but at the expense of delineation and class. Long and ripely tannic. This was also bottled early, in September of '98.