Tasted blind at the annual "Burgfest" tasting in Beaune. The 2012 Ruchottes Chambertin Grand Cru has a flamboyant and expressive nose, the kind the rushes out of the glass to give your sense a ginormous hug - maraschino, cranberry and orange sorbet, and with aeration that initial exuberance is replaced by almost ineffable finesse. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, ripe tannin and fine acidity, pure in the mouth with a caressing, harmonious texture towards the finish. This is a seriously fine, outstanding grand cru that has a glorious future ahead. This must sure be Mugneret-Gibourg? So it turns out. It's just a whisker away from perfection. - Neal Martin

There is enough wood to notice but not so much as to detract materially from the pure, elegant and distinctly cool nose that features notes of red and dark currant as well as truffle, wet stone, humus and sauvage hints. There is excellent vibrancy to the impressively rich, concentrated and intense middle weight plus flavors that coat the palate before culminating in a mineral-inflected and seriously long finish. This striking beauty should also reward extended cellaring yet is not so firm as to preclude earlier drinking if desired. A 'wow' wine!