CHARMES CHAMBERTIN

Offering up aromas of cherries, wild berries, licorice and loamy soil that only hint at the aromatic range to come with a little bottle age, the 2018 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru is full-bodied, layered and sumptuous, its deep and multidimensional core fruited by rich but refined tannins and lively balancing acids, concluding with a long, beautifully defined finish. This is a serious, concentrated Charmes that—as I wrote last year—fully vindicates Loïc Dugat-Py's decision to harvest early, as well as his move to a reduced percentage of new oak (only 66%) for this cuvée. Drinking range: 2028 - 2065 Rating: 96 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Jan 2021)

(a blend of one-third Mazoyères and two-thirds Charmes proper – the fruit comes from a mix of mostly 20+ year-old vines and a small percentage of extremely old vines; 60% stems). Once again there is an abundance of floral influences to the very ripe yet fresh aromas of plum liqueur, cassis and the sauvage. There is copious dry extract that imparts a caressing and seductive texture to the broad-shouldered flavors that are at once powerful yet refined on the firmly structured and youthfully austere finish. This too is a ‘buy and forget’ wine. Drinking range: 2038 - Rating: 92-95 Allen Meadows, www.Burghound.com (Jan 2020)

The 2018 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru bursts from the glass with a characteristically exuberant bouquet of cherries and licorice, complemented by hints of peonies and warm spices. On the palate, it's full-bodied, supple and vibrant, its powdery structuring tannins concealed in an ample core of strikingly succulent, lively fruit. This Charmes-Chambertin's evident freshness is a vindication of Loïc Dugat-Py's decision to harvest early—and, just as importantly, his punctilious viticulture. Vinified with 60% whole cluster, this is another cuvée that saw entirely new barrels in previous vintages but was matured in only 66% new oak this year. Rating: 94-96 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Jan 2020)