Domaine Georges Mugneret-Gibourg, Ruchottes Chambertin Grand Cru 1999

The 1999 Ruchottes-Chambertin is just beginning to flex its muscles. It has an exquisite and intense bouquet with dark cherries, crushed violets, iris, a touch of incense that both express the growing season and the terroir. Watch how it unfurls in the glass, gaining more and more precision. The palate is medium-bodied with red pastilles on the entry, perfectly judged acidity and an almost sorbet-fresh finish that has plenty of coiled-up energy after 18 years. This is a splendid, almost extravagant Ruchottes-Chambertin that is going to give another 20 or 30 years of drinking pleasure. Tasted at the Ruchottes-Chambertin vertical in London.