I clearly under rated this wine, not only in terms of its quality but also its longevity as it has evolved more slowly than I originally imagined. However this beauty is close to being ready for prime time with its elegant and pure nose that is just starting to display the first hints of secondary development with its ripe black pinot fruit and earth nuances. There is excellent richness and concentration to the utterly delicious and increasingly complex flavors that are supported by a still firm yet clearly softening tannic spine, all wrapped in a solidly powerful and impressively persistent finale. For my taste this is almost ready though I would suggest waiting for another 1 to 3 years first though I underscore that the '99 Champans will age gracefully for another 20 years, perhaps longer. Tasted twice in the last few months with similar results. In short, this is terrific and should only be better with time.