2006 Chambolle-Musigny Les Amoureuses 1er Cru

The Groffiers reported very little rot in 2007 but that's largely because they picked very early, beginning on August 27. "Things would have been much worse ten days later," noted Nicolas Groffier. Potential alcohols were in the 12% to 12.2% range and the finished wines will weigh in at about 13%. The Groffiers did a bit more extraction during vinification than in the previous year and rate the new vintage in the same general quality league as 2006, a year that saw even lower estate-wide production (28 hectoliters per hectare, vs. about 33 in '97). Nicolas describes the 2007s as "fresh and pure, with more finesse and roundness than 2006. Both vintages should age nicely but will also drink well in their youth," he added. Robert Groffier believes that the 2007s will age longer than the 2006s; he feels that they're more plush but a bit less precise and vibrant today. (A Peter Vezan selection; importers include Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY; The Stacole Company, Boca Raton, FL; Ideal Wines & Spirits, Medford, MA; and H2Vino, Chicago, IL; also imported by Atherton Wine Imports, Atherton, CA)

Serge Groffier describes the family's young 2006s as "combining the roundness of 2000 with the rigor and nerve of 2001." The estate harvested on the early side, beginning on September 22, and the typical cru here is now 13.5% alcohol after about a half-degree of chaptalization. I enjoyed the freshness of these wines in November, when, once again, I tasted the new crop of wines from floating-top stainless steel tanks in the Groffiers' frigid garage. (A Peter Vezan selection; importers include Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY; The Stacole Company, Boca Raton, FL; and Ideal Wines & Spirits, Medford, MA; also imported by Atherton Wine Imports, Atherton, CA)