2001 Domaine Faiveley Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru

The 2001 Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru has matured with style: vivacious red cherry and crushed strawberry scents that seem to darken with time in the glass, blackberry and bilberry surfacing with time, then becoming quite floral without compensating on vigour. The palate is medium-bodied and does not quite match the quality of the nose: firm and rather “furry” tannin, modest acidity, structured with good density, although it is missing some finesse on the finish. It is a solid Mazis-Chambertin rather than a Grand Cru of breeding. Tasted at Sarah Marsh’s 2000 and 2001 horizontal tasting.

The 2001 Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru from Faiveley is still a comparative youngster, offering up a youthful bouquet of red cherry, cassis, dried flowers and subtle grilled meat. On the palate, the wine is expansive, full-bodied and quite deep at the core, with good concentration and dimension. A very creditable Mazis-Chambertin, which still has plenty of upside but isn't too firm or aggressively structural.

Mid garnet. Not much nose. Rather impenetrable. Much less sweet than most. With quite a charge of fine tannins underneath the rather uncompromising fruit. A tad stolid and not yet communicating much. (JR)