Maison Louis Jadot, Griottes Chambertin Grand Cru

(July malo; not vinified by Lardiere) Medium red. Reticent nose hints at musky earth tones. The palate combines an almost syrupy sweetness with some unabsorbed acidity; suggests a wide range of fruit ripeness. Can't match the Lardiere-vinified wines for structure or lift. In fact, this verges on heavy. Finishes with dusty tannins.

A highly expressive, fresh and ripe liqueur-like nose of extract of red pinot fruit that is at once cool and elegant while leading to rich, generous and sappy flavors that completely coat the mouth on the lightly mineral suffused finish that is pure, balanced and impressively long. This is delicious and deceptively approachable as the buried tannins are quite firm.