2018 Taupenot-Merme Mazoyeres Chambertin

Fine mid purple with a fresher crunchier nose than the Charmes. Superbly rich fruit, ripe raspberry, with the structure at the back which was not visible in the Charmes. A pure dense ripe fruit of considerable quality, with the fruit reaching out at the back. 94-96 points

The 2018 Mazoyères-Chambertin Grand Cru needs a lot of coaxing, but it is worth waiting as it reveals ebullient blackberry, raspberry, crushed stone and light truffle aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins, a superb bead of acidity and a very intense, quite structured finish. Romain Taupenot opined that this is closing down as winter falls, and I can see that, but it will ultimately turn into a very serious Mazoyères-Chambertin. 95-97 points

The 2018 Mazoyrès from Romaine Taupenot is even a step up from the very, very good Charmes this year. The bouquet is deep, pure and precise, offering up scents of black cherries, sweet dark berries, roasted meats, espresso, dark soil tones, a nice touch of the vineyard’s botanicals and a discreet framing of cedar. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and exquisitely balanced, with a fine core of black fruit, excellent soil signature, ripe, buried tannins and impressive length and grip on the complex and refined finish. Fine juice. Drink 2030-2075. 94 points

Here too there is a mentholated top note to the very ripe and more sauvage-inflected aromas of cassis, spice, warm earth and a whiff of port character. The slightly more refined and quite suave yet even more powerful big-bodied flavors culminate in robust, exceptionally firm and compact finish. Like the Pruliers, this bold effort is a `buy and forget you own it` wine. 91-94 points