Latricières Chambertin, Domaine Leroy 2001

Tasted thrice in the last two years with consistent notes save for the visual aspect because while both bottles displayed moderate bricking, one presented an ever-so-slightly cloudy appearance though the other two were crystalline. The fully mature, spicy, earthy and slightly gamy red berry fruit nose is pure and really quite elegant. The utterly delicious and highly complex medium weight plus flavors possess a strikingly seductive mouth feel along with plenty of minerality while delivering excellent persistence on the sappy, velvety and beautifully textured finale. This is really lovely juice that for my taste is drinking perfectly now.

I raved last year about the awesome quality of the 2000 version yet the 2001 exceeds even that lofty standard. Explosively complex red and black fruit aromas of crystalline pure and intensity lead to sweet, round, terrifically focused, vibrant, super concentrated essence of pinot flavors and a finish that seems to be cut from liquid rock. As great as the Musigny but not quite as expressive or rich yet the complexity here is nothing short of mind boggling. Reference standard in every respect and perhaps the greatest Latricières I have ever experienced.