Domaine Robert Groffier Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru Les Sentiers 2022

Directly below the Grand Cru Bonnes Mares. Wildly different to everything else tasted so far. Darker in colour and personality. Nicolas explains his parcels have blue clay and ironstone, giving them more warmth and breadth. The bunches are noticeable but settled in to the expansive fruit nicely. Straight lined and muscular tannins. Tensile wine with great vitality despite its size. Powerhouse of flavour that hits your mouth with real conviction and intent. It’s a great Premier Cru but patience is advised. ROSCOE

Sentiers is on the border with Morey and shares some of its character. According to Nicolas Groffier, just 40cm of iron-rich clay covers the limestone here. He ferments the wine completely as whole clusters and ages it in cask (one-third new). The finished wine has a deep fig and plum fruit with hints of earth, iron, and tar. The texture is firmly tannic but leavened by the finesse of Chambolle. The overall result is impressive, if a bit fearsome at present – let this settle for five to seven years before opening for best results. (95) DECANTER

The 2022 Chambolle-Musigny Les Sentiers 1er Cru offers darker, earthier fruit than the Les Seuvrées, with touches of loam and wild hedgerow, all finely delineated. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh and tensile, with sappy red fruit and a linear, reserved finish. You would think this comes from a cooler vintage, as it is very classical in style NEAL MARTIN

35% new wood, 90% whole bunches. A bright plump purple colour. Lively fruit suggesting some iron in the soil. Nicolas tells me there is lots in the lower part of the vineyard. Perhaps he could make his upper and lower parts separately, sand v iron rich clay? Fresh acidity behind, after red fruit, strawberry, with a blood orange nose. JASPER MORRIS MW