2006 Chambertin

The Rousseau 2006 Chambertin offers a gorgeous bouquet of roses, fresh cherry, nutmeg, and anise. Not at all weighty, it however offers caressing refinement of texture and luscious fluidity of well-concentrated red fruits and liquid floral perfume. Subtly smoky, meaty undertones gain prominence as the wine takes on air, and ineffable mineral notes emerge, too, as this finishes with lift, refinement, intricate interactive complexity, and lip-smacking generosity, yet not without an aura of mystery appropriate to this great site. No doubt the results will be worth following for a dozen or more years.

Good deep red. Wonderfully pure, complex nose offers black cherry, minerals, red licorice and flowers, with an almost liqueur-like sweetness. Less expressive in the mouth but silky and suave in texture and considerably sweeter than the Clos de Beze, with compelling density and intensity of flavor. The almost liqueur-like red fruit quality carries through on the palate. The wine's sappiness gives it a weightless quality. The longest of these 2006s by far, finishing with superb grip and energy.

It's as though the Clos de Bèze and Chambertin have switched places in 2006 as here the nose is positively kaleidoscopic with a huge range of aromas and spice elements leading to fresh, pure, round, rich and focused full-bodied flavors that carry obvious muscle and minerality on the deep, powerful and hugely long finish. An extremely impressive wine and one of the finest wines of the vintage.