I thought Drouhin's Griotte-Chambertin was top notch. It had explosive black cherry fruit, good, spicy, toasty, new oak, medium to full body, and a lush texture. Drouhin's oenologist told me the tannin and acidity levels of the wines were higher in 1988 than in 1985, but my tastings made me think otherwise. Perhaps as this wine recovers from bottle shock it will show more structure and acidity, and will be a more worthy candidate for long-term aging.

Enticing, with game and rose petal aromas, it delivers plenty of rich, complex, elegant fruit flavor on the palate. Tiers of cherry, berry, spice and oak have a tough edge, but it's nothing a little time in the bottle won't resolve. Oaky and tannic on the finish. Best from 1995 through 2000. -