1983 Domaine Armand Rousseau Chambertin Clos de Bèze Grand Cru

Moderate bricking but with a significant core of ruby remaining. A highly spiced and notably ripe nose combines secondary fruit, warm earth and sous bois hints along with truffle and game notes that merge seamlessly into rich, full, impressively concentrated and energetic flavors that possess ample power and drive on the palate staining and still moderately structured finish that goes on and on. This is perhaps less refined than it usual is, even after almost 30 years of bottle age. While this has peaked and it is highly unlikely that there will be any further improvement, in magnum format it should easily hold for several more decades. Rousseau made excellent '83s and the Bèze is no exception.