Chambertin Clos de Bèze Ouvrées Rodin, Domaine Faiveley 2010

(Faiveley has three plots in Clos de Beze; beginning with two non-commercialized barrels of 2009 there will be a separate cuvee from vines planted in the south part of the appellation in the 1950s; the 2010 vintage yielded 4-1/2 barrels of wine, 3 of which are aging in new oak): Incredible nose melds raspberry, rose, fruity peppercorn, licorice, espresso and orange zest. Pure silk in the mouth; boasts outstanding ""touch"" along with almost painful intensity and soil-driven salinity. About finesse and thrust, not simply power. The finish goes on for minutes. Hervet notes that all of Faiveley's Clos de Beze is from old vines, not just this special cuvee.

This is aromatically similar to the ""regular"" cuvée of the Clos de Bèze but not identical as it's slightly spicier and notably more restrained, indeed even backward. The big-bodied, opulent and exceptionally rich flavors enjoy huge depth of material that renders the firm and ripe tannins almost invisible at present though I expect that they will become much more prominent in time. This stunningly long and perfumed effort will require at least 20 years of cellar time before it can fully resolve its structure. Until then, lots of patience will be necessary for this 'wow' wine to arrive at its full maturity.