Frankly, after the other worldly Musigny and Latricières I was positive that the Chambertin was in for a rough ride, comparatively speaking. More expressive than I expected with dazzlingly pure, incredibly fresh aromas that are so prismatically complex that I can't even begin to describe them all; warm, ripe earth notes, licorice, soy and a fantastic array of spices will at least convey the notion that this is one extremely complex nose. The flavors are almost bruising in their sheer unmitigated power and this just ripples with obvious muscularity and a penetrating, even forcefully tannic structure that goes almost unnoticed by virtue of the incredibly thick, almost unctuous level of extract. The finish is intense, pure and haunting and this too is flat out an emotionally thrilling, indeed dramatic wine. In short, this is a vinous tour de force and simply not to be missed if you can find it.

(95+ points) Medium ruby-red. Highly complex, slightly liqueur-like aromas of crystallized red fruits, coffee, smoke and earth. Sweet, chewy, dense and deep, with complicating notes of mocha, truffle and menthol. A very primary wine with terrific verve. Like the Clos de la Roche, this has superb chewy depth of flavor. Quite powerful, even a bit youthfully aggressive on the end, and in need of at least ten years of patience. -- Stephen Tanzer

Described by Mme. Bize-Leroy as “discreet, distinguished, and classy”, her 2001 Chambertin displays smoked bacon, spice, and black fruit aromas. Medium-bodied, it is a lovely wine with a supple, broad personality. Its fruit forward character offers black raspberry, cherry, and cassis flavors whose effects linger in its long, silky finish, It doesn’t have the depth, power, and presence of Leroy’s finest Chambertins, yet is seamless, friendly, and generous. Drink it over the next 7 years.- PR