2017 Domaine Georges Roumier Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru "Les Cras"

“A well-defined red, with great focus and precision to the black cherry, black currant, violet and stony, mineral flavors. Ends with a chalky sensation, lending gravitas to the finish and overall impression. Best from 2023 through 2045.” (05/2020)

“Christophe Roumier expresses the terroirs of Chambolle with a combination of emotional engagement and winemaking precision. This pale, delicate, almost balletic premier cru is racy and refreshing, with some spicy notes from 50% whole bunches and one-third new barrels. Drinking Window 2022 - 2030. (TA)” (11/2018)

“The 2017 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Cras wafts from the glass with aromas of violet, rose petals dark berries, roast squab and espresso. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with an ample but controlled core of crunchy fruit, succulent acids and a beautifully delineated and unmistakably mineral finish. This is one of the high-points of the range. The 2017 vintage is very strong for the Domaine Georges Roumier, with the wines somewhat evocative of their 2007 counterparts—wines which were, as Roumier followers will be keenly aware, very much among the best of the vintage in that year. Elevage is a leisurely affair chez Roumier, with comparatively late malolactic fermentation, so the true extent of what Christophe Roumier has achieved this year will only be apparent once the wines are in bottle, but the only thing that's in question is just how good the wines will be. As I reported when I tasted these same wines earlier this year, yields in 2017 averaged a modest 32 hectoliters per hectare across the board, with a larger crop at the village level and less in the premiers and grands crus. Thankfully, after several successive small crops, the generous 2017 and 2018 vintages have at last left a little less empty space in the Roumier cellar, which is great news. (WK)” (01/2019)

“The 2017 Chambolle-Musigny Les Cras 1er Cru was reduced on the nose the day I visited, Christophe Roumier lamenting that just the previous day it was "shining." Oh, well. The palate is very promising, demonstrating more substance and grip than the Les Combottes and good backbone. Smooth and harmonious, with just a touch of salinity on the finish. Very fine. (NM)” (01/2019)

“The 2017 les Cras from Christophe Roumier was still a bit hunkered down after its racking three weeks previously and was not as on form as most of the other wines in the cellar. Nevertheless, with a bit of coaxing, the wine starts to show some nuance on both the nose and palate, with the bouquet delivering a blend of red and black cherries, a touch of savory spice elements form the whole clusters, bitter chocolate, a great base of chalky soil tones, woodsmoke and gamebird. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, close and absolutely rock solid at the core, with fine-grained tannins, excellent focus and grip and a long, very youthful finish. I am sure this is going to be excellent, but it was still so shut down at the time of my visit that I have scored the wine in a range. (Drink between 2027-2075)” (12/2018)

“A whiff of reduction detracts slightly from the appeal of the overtly floral-inflected nose that reflects notes of violet, lilac, lavender and rose petal along with a fresh mix of red and dark cherries. The sleek, intense and almost pungent mineral-driven medium weight flavors possess terrific delineation on the dusty, firm and youthfully austere finish that goes on and on. This is decidedly backward and compact at present and is going to require at least some patience first. *Burghound Outstanding!*” (01/2020)