A fantastically complex and still impressively fresh nose offers up impressively dense and concentrated aromas of mostly black fruit that are blended with an incredible array of spice, earth and discreet hints of game. There is serious size and weight to the imposingly scaled big, rich, intense and mouth coating flavors that possess outstanding depth, power and stunning length. This is not a particularly structured wine but the sheer complexity and class combine to create a simply knock out Chambertin, worthy of every accolade reserved for the very best in Burgundy. This is really lovely stuff in a forward style though note well that it will be capable of aging for years. So that readers are not confused by my description, this is not as structured a Chambertin as several other vintages yet it seems to add depth with every passing year. As such this is why I am suggesting holding it further though it could certainly be drunk now with considerable enjoyment. Tasted on multiple occasions with consistent notes. 2026+

The 1999 Chambertin Grand Cru has a multi-faceted bouquet, a mélange of red and black fruit, sous-bois, desiccated orange peel and wilted rose petals. It simply blossoms in the glass, gaining complexity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, plenty of lift and energy, full of breeding from start to finish. Gentle grip, more youthful than the 1996 yet with the same stature, there is wonderful persistence. Unlike the 1996, this 1999 Chambertin is clearly still in the ascendency, though the bottle drunk in Hong Kong was marginally superior. Tasted at the Rousseau Chambertin vertical at La Vienne. -- Neal Martin