Tasted blind at the Burgundy 2012 tasting in Beaune. The 2012 Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru les Chenevottes from Chanson is discombobulated by too much sulfur on the nose and it lacks the fruit concentration of say, Philippe Colins’ Chassagne 2012 whites. The palate is balanced but simple. Overall it seems a little flat-footed and missing some tension and nervosité towards the finish. I would play it safe and drink this over the next couple of years.

Tasted blind at the Burgundy 2011 horizontal tasting in Beaune. The Chassagne-Montrachet 1ere Cru les Chenevottes 2011 is taciturn on the nose, initially not quite as defined as its peers, although it unfolds with aeration, offering wet limestone and bruised apple scents. The palate is assertive and punchy, slightly overworked compared to the previous wine with touches of dried honey, quince and orange peel furnishing the finish that has better delineation that the nose suggests.

An enticing mix of toast and white fruit aromas follows through to rich apricot and ripe pear flavors, spiced with the creamy toast. The wood does need to calm down for the wine to be at its best. ——R.V.(9/1/2011)—— 93