2012 Chambertin, Grand Cru, Olivier Bernstein, Burgundy

A marvellous adornment to the range in 2012. The first surviving reference to Chambertin dates to the 13th century, when Guillaume de Grancey swapped some vines in Champ Bertin with the Abbey of Cluny in 1276. They key to quality is the bedrock of calcaire à entroques from the Bajocian period. Here too the vines are 60-years-old. Deep purple with a very dark centre. There is a sense of imperial majesty here alongside the grace of Clos de Bèze.

It makes a marvellous contrast! The nose is much more backward but the palate delivers an explosion of very vigorous fruit. The huge weight of raw fruit will require a longer elévage. This is exceptionally vibrant and will repay keeping.
Jasper Morris MW, Burgundy Wine Director

The wines of Burgundy – perhaps more than any other region – are a product both of place but also of people. With individual vineyard plots often split amongst countless producers, the terroir expressed in a wine can be unusually specific; equally the style of the winemaker can be readily discerned when tasted against his neighbours.

Back in 2007, Jasper Morris MW – Berry Bros. & Rudd’s Burgundy buyer, who lives in the region for most of the year – heard whispers about a new producer, whose wines were said to be universally impressive. Jasper duly sought out Olivier Bernstein and tasted his portfolio: “It was terrifically exciting to come across a brand-new quality producer in the Burgundy market, and to taste wines of such class from his very first vintage,” says Morris.

“Now, five years on, Olivier has matured into a confident player with his Premiers and Grands Crus wines of the Côte de Nuits.” Since Berry Bros. & Rudd first offered Bernstein’s wines with the 2007 vintage, Olivier’s reputation in the UK and worldwide markets has steadily grown. We are delighted that the 2012 vintage – unq