Tasting Notes
Vinous 92+
Deep red-ruby. Expressive aromas of black cherry, licorice and spices. Sweet and lush but energetic, with concentrated, primary flavors that are currently very unevolved. A powerful wine with a medicinal austerity; this has an almost Bordeaux-like structure. Finishes very long, with a strong note of bitter chocolate. Don’t even think about pulling the cork before 2018, at which point my early rating should appear conservative.
Robert Parker 96
The 2005 Mazis-Chambertin displays meaty, salty, cedar-like notes, game, and super-ripe, high-toned distilled black raspberry and cherry. It offers palate-staining crystalline black raspberry fruit, licorice and meaty pan scrapings, an abundance of exceedingly fine tannin, and a clear, poised finish. Expect this to be good for the long haul. Like the other Roty Grand Crus in this vintage, it would certainly be a shame for any who can afford it to open a bottle for at least 12-15 years. Philippe Roty and his brother have matters well in hand and are on their way to bottling (as always here, unfiltered) a superb collection of 2005s. That said, this won’t even begin happening until late Spring and some wines may not be bottled until year’s end. (Wines followed above by the initials P.R. are from Philippe’s vines and will be labeled with his name.) Prolonged skin contact and gentle but relentless extraction are the practice here, and in 2005 that has made for Pinots of almost shockingly deep color, abundant and firm but fine tannins, and terrific overall intensity. Also recommended: 2005 Marsannay (85-86+?). Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173.
