2016 Domaine Denis Bachelet Charmes-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru
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Tasting notes
(aging in 50% new oak; this fruit was picked at 12.2% potential alcohol and chaptalized to 13.2%): Deep red with ruby tones. Brooding aromas of black cherry, flowers and licorice complicated by a sexy animal nuance. Very concentrated, utterly seamless Charmes with complex soil tones to go along with its flavors of dark fruits, licorice and flowers. A wonderfully mouthfilling wine without any impression of weight. Finishes with aristocratic tannins and explosive rising floral length. This has all of the elements to make a great bottle, possibly among the best Charmes-Chambertins of Bachelet's career (his first vinification was in 1983).
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
There are six barrels of the 2016 Charmes-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru this year since the grand cru was touched by the frost, albeit to a lesser degree than in Chambertin. It has a very pure and complex bouquet, with scents of black cherry and wild strawberry, cold wet slate, something almost like wild moorland. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannin, perfectly judged acidity, almost gentle on the entry and then nonchalantly fanning out as it goes along. There is absolutely nothing grandiose about this Charmes-Chambertin, but the finesse and the poise, not least the extraordinarily long aftertaste is something to behold. Nobody makes Charmes-Chambertin like Denis Bachelet.
Normally eight barrels, just six in 2016. 50% new oak. Serious stuff. Layers and depth. Extremely rich and concentrated but still with a sweet liqueur sort of depth. Rich and one of his best Charmes. Fabulous roundness and layers and length. Clean and long. Lots of sweet charm but still very refreshing. (JR)