2014 Chambolle Musigny Les Amoureuses

Bright, full, deep red. Dark berries, crushed black cherry, licorice, bitter chocolate and wild herbs on the nose. Sappy and imploded, with blackberry, blueberry and mineral flavors lifted by a strong floral element. Still a bit stunted from being racked ten days before my visit. Finishes with substantial tongue-dusting tannins and repeating floral lift.

The 2014 Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru Amoureuses is very different from the Chambolle Premier Cru, This explodes with blueberry and blackberry, wilted violets and then later, a touch of boysenberry jam. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent ripe dark cherry fruit, a vein of white pepper, fine structured and very pure with superb tension and mineralité bursting through on the finish. This is a divine Amoureuses, probably more approachable when young compared to recent vintages, but with the substance to age as this cuvée has an inclination to do.

Dark crimson. A little inexpressive today on the nose. Savoury and ambitious. Lots tucked in there but not the full amplitude yet. A tiny bit stringy on the end. It’s telling us to go away and come back another day. (JR)