2011 Chambertin Grand Cru

Winemaker Jacques Lardiere, who seemed as full of energy in November as ever despite the brutally busy season around the Hospices de Beaune auction weekend, officially retired at the end of December after more than a quarter century in charge of winemaking here, and it will not be quite the same visiting Jadot in the future.But this important producer will be in good hands under new technical director Frederic Barnier, who has worked alongside Lardiere in recent years.It crossed my mind that Lardiere has been responsible for crafting a greater number of outstanding Burgundies during his career, both red and white, than anyone else I am aware of, and there will be many more from the 2011 vintage (not to mention 2012).Jadot harvested pinot noir during the first ten days of September, said Barnier, bringing in fruit with 11.8% to 12.5% potential alcohol and generally chaptalizing about half a degree.The pHs are not low (they're generally in the 3.6 to 3.7 range), but, said Barnier, "it's an early vintage without an early-vintage character."Incidentally, Lardiere pointed out that Beaune was a favored appellation in the context of the Cote de Beaune in 2011, but that vintage 2010 was tougher for this village.