Chambertin Clos de Bèze, Domaine Faiveley 2009

Compelling aromas of extremely fresh and airy menthol-infused red berry fruit, soil and distinctly spiced tones plus an underlying hint of animale transfers over to the rich, full and serious broad-shouldered flavors brimming with dry extract and supported by impressively refined and ripe tannins that are almost completely buffered on the powerful and balanced finish by the buckets of mid-palate sap. Terrific.

(Two-thirds new oak; has the highest pH of these 2009s, at 3.7) Red-ruby. Knockout multidimensional nose combines red berries, licorice, orange peel and pungent smoky minerality. Dense, sappy, sweet and very young; much more about soil than pinot noir fruit. Offers intriguing saline and orange peel notes, plus a licorice quality that Hervet says comes from soil rich in silica (like Vosne-Romanee Les Reignots). Wonderfully tactile finish offers outstanding lift and some sweet new oak. This got better and better in the glass.