CHARMES CHAMBERTIN

I find the 2011 Charmes-Chambertin one of the least developed of the Dugat-Py Grand Crus. The characteristic Charmes silkiness and finesse is there, but the aromas and flavors aren’t fully developed. There is wonderful breadth and texture in the glass, though, which makes me think all the Charmes needs is time. The Charmes is a blend of 2/3rds true Charmes and 1/3rd Mazoyeres. The 2011 was done with 40% whole clusters and aged in 100% new French oak. Drinking range: 2021 - 2036 Rating: 92-94 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Mar 2014)

Bright red-ruby. Inviting aromas of black fruits, violet, licorice and spices. Thicker and more harmonious today than the Coeur de Roy on entry, then juicy and imploded in the middle. The wine's serious, slightly drying tannins call for at least five or six years of patience. Can't match the 2012 Charmes for sheer refinement of texture. Rating: 92 Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (Mar 2014)

(a blend of one-third Mazoyères and two-thirds Charmes proper – the fruit comes from a mix of mostly 20+ year, and a small percentage of extremely old, vines; 40% stems). This more elegant than the Lavaut with its ripe and attractively layered nose of black cherry, spice, warm earth and panoply of spice elements. There is superb richness, size and weight to the concentrated, velvety and seductively textured broad-shouldered flavors that conclude in a phenomenally persistent finish that is supported by very firm tannins. This is a powerful and robust Charmes. 2026+ Rating: 93-95 Allen Meadows, www.Burghound.com (Jan 2013)