Ruchottes Chambertin, Frederic Esmonin 2010

**Note: from a .52 ha parcel of 50+ year old vines**
Mild reduction negatively affects the expressiveness of the somewhat somber if spicy dark berry fruit and truffle-laced nose. There is impressive richness and volume to the round, even suave flavors that possess fine mid-palate concentration as well as reasonably good balance and persistence. This is a very ripe Ruchottes, in fact it's a bit too ripe for my personal preference though I underscore that it's nowhere near being over the top, just that the elegance and cool restraint of a classic Ruchottes is missing. In the small nit category, there is a backend trace of warmth though this is admittedly minor. Still, I found this to be a bit disappointing when considered in an overall context.