Produced from an impressive parcel of nearly 1.2 hectares of vines - around one-quarter of the entire vineyard - averaging around 40 years of age.  The 'Aux Combottes' vineyard is puzzling to most, especially when viewed on a map.  It sits sandwiched between the grands crus of Clos de la Roche to the south and Latricieres-Chambertin to the north, adjoining both, and situated on the same slope a 'Le Chambertin' itself.  So why is it only considered as being deemed a 'premier cru' site?  Well, this is a perfect example of the complexities bestowed upon specific sites by microclimates, as Combottes is actually in a slight depression in the slope, and as a result tends to be a wetter site than its neighbours as water drains less efficiently.  Furthermore, the physical nature of the hills above results in a cool breeze that flows over this site, which in all vintages other than the warmest, means that the grapes ripen slightly less well than in neighbouring vineyards.  A true quirk of the micro nature of Burgundian sites, and one that should be especially interesting to observe in the coming decades as climate change has a greater impact upon these vineyard sites, and could in fact result in Aux Combottes being a superior site than it's more illustrious grands cru neighbours in the decades ahead!

Other critics:  91-94 points, Allen Meadows (Burghound); 90-94 points, William Kelley (Wine Advocate).