There is a whiff of green tea to the attractively spicy aromas that have now developed moderate secondary character along with plenty of earth and game nuances. In the same vein as the nose, there is a mild touch of leafiness to the otherwise delicious middle weight flavors where the supporting tannins have now largely, though not completely, resolved on the sneaky long, delicious and complex finale. I would describe this as knocking on the front door of its peak drinkability though it should continue to hold. In sum, this is a very good 2004 if not a great wine by the loftly standards of Rousseau and its lengendary Chambertin.

• Country: France
• Region: Burgundy
• Appellation: Cote De Nuits
• Sub Appellation: Chambertin
• Size: 750ml
• Color: Red

Varietal

Pinot Noir

Regularly described as being the grape varietal responsible for producing the world’s most romantic wines, Pinot Noir has long been associated with elegance and a broad range of flavors The name means ‘black pine’ in French, and this is due to the fact that the fruit of this particular varietal is especially dark in color, and hangs in a conical shape, like that of a pine cone. Despite being grown today in almost every wine producing country, Pinot Noir is a notoriously difficult grape variety to cultivate. This is because it is especially susceptible to various forms of mold and mildew, and thrives best in steady, cooler climates. However, the quality of the fruit has ensured that wineries and vintners have persevered with the varietal, and new technologies and methods have overcome many of the problems it presents. Alongside this, the wide popularity and enthusiasm for this grape has ensured it will remain a firm favorite amongst wine drinkers for many years to come.