2015 Harmand Geoffroy Mazis Chambertin

Burghound 93 Sweet Spot, Outstanding. "Here the toasty and menthol-inflected nose is slightly more deeply pitched with attractively spiced aromas that include iron-infused warm earth notes as well as animale and underbrush hints. The succulent yet overtly powerful big-bodied flavors are blessed with ample dry extract that coats the palate on the very firm, concentrated and driving finish where a touch of warmth arises. There is real energy here and while the tannins are notably prominent at the moment, this is actually fairly refined for a young Mazis." John Gilman 96+ "The only thing I might have done differently from Philippe Harmand with this magnificent Mazis-Chambertin is I might have used a bit less new wood, just to allow the terroir here to shine through even brighter, as Philippe raised this wine in ninety percent new wood this year. It is not that the oak is in the way at all, as it is seamlessly integrated into this beautiful wine, but I would just be curious to see what this great wine might have looked like with less new wood. In any case, this wine is utterly stunning, as it offers up a truly superb aromatic constellation of red and black plums, sappy black cherries, roasted meats, raw cocoa, a very complex base of minerality, a touch of hazelnut and a base of smoky new wood. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and simply rippling with energy, with tangy acids, ripe tannins, a very sappy core and laser-like focus on the pure and very complex finish. This will be a very, very elegant and sappy example of Mazis at its apogee." Wine Advocate (William Kelley) 95  "The 2015 Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru is superb, offering up a classic bouquet of wild berries, cherry, grilled game, subtle mint and a framing of smoky new oak. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and concentrated, with true grand cru depth and dimension, its tannins fine-grained and its finish long and penetrating. This is a powerful Mazis-Chambertin that retains excellent energy and freshness despite its considerable volume, and which could compete with some of Gevrey's finest."  Importer Neal Rosenthal "Harmand-Geoffroy exploits over three quarters of a hectare in this great vineyard that lies just north of Clos de Beze and just below Ruchottes-Chambertin on the prime fillet of Gevrey-Chambertin grand cru turf. Produced from vines between 45 and 75 years of age, the Mazis-Chambertin is always the firmest and most youthfully reticent wine in the cellar. This 2015 is positively explosive, brimming with spices both musky and fresh, and offering a kirsch-like core of fruit that completely coats the immense tannins lurking below the surface. The palate unfolds slowly and regally, with great persistence and an underlying sense of energy that speaks to both the quality of the vintage and the skill with which Harmand rendered it."