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MEURSAULT

2018 1er Cru Charmes Domaine Henri Germain

EN PRIMEUR
ChardonnayWhiteFrance,BurgundyCôte d'OrCôte de BeauneMeursault1er Cru 13%Charmes

Again (after the Poruzots) this seems to be restrained and on the back foot, not very imposing of character, but then it feels thick with flavour to come and the aromatic development of the village wines suggests that this will come. Very pure, very straight, very crystalline.L&S (Oct 2019)

* This is a pre-shipment/primeur offer. All orders are accepted under the TERMS of this offer which differ from the terms of the rest of the site.

The 2018 Meursault Charmes 1er Cru is one of the most powerful on the nose in this flight. Yellow plum, nutmeg, flint and citrus peel aromas combine well in the glass. The palate has a reductive note on the entry, fine depth, crisp acidity, a touch of ginger and lemongrass that enliven the finish, though it lacks just a bit of grace and depth. Fine, but not the best in class. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2018 white tasting. Drinking range: 2023 - 2038 Rating: 91 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Nov 2022)

A very Meursault nose of acacia blossom, roasted nut and essence of pear that is set off by even more discreet wood influence. The beautifully vibrant and rich medium weight flavors possess slightly better mid-palate density thanks to the abundance of sappy dry extract that buffers the moderately firm acid spine shaping the focused finale. This is more powerful than it usually is and if it can add depth with time in bottle, it should be impressive. Drinking range: 2025 - Rating: 90-92 Allen Meadows, www.Burghound.com (Jun 2020)

Revealing aromas of waxy citrus rind, fresh bread, ripe pears and white flowers, the 2018 Meursault 1er Cru Les Charmes is medium to full-bodied, muscular and concentrated, with a more reserved, introverted profile than the exuberant Poruzots. As is usually the case, this is an age-worthy Charmes built for the cellar. Rating: 92-94 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Jan 2020)

Jean-François Germain was joined in 2018 by his daughter Lucie - who is now helping to run this small (7ha) domaine.

The Chassagne vineyards came through his mother, a Pillot, and Jean-François is married to François Jobard's daughter, so they are quite intertwined with some of our other producers. The Poruzots comes from the rows next to Remi Jobard's. In terms of winemaking the Germains are always happy to let nature take its course, and in the vineyards they follow as natural a system of viticulture as possible (organic, not certified).

These are concentrated, tightly wound wines from one of Burgundy's coldest cellars. Alcoholic fermentations can take months and the malolactics are often late, so they have always gone for long élevage in old barrels, always for two winters, and the Premiers Crus usually for 22 months. Slow to develop, they show wonderful crystalline purity. New wood is used very sparingly, just to replace barrels sold when they get to ten years old.

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