1995 Domaine Claude Dugat Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru

While many offerings from Charmes-Chambertin are disappointingly weak, Claude Dugat's consistently outstanding offerings reinforce the point that the vineyard deserves its Grand Cru status. In 1995 Dugat produced another spectacular Charmes. Medium-to-dark ruby colored with touches of purple, this elegant gem's thick texture and cascade of fat, chewy black fruits are divine. Spiced with toasty oak, long and refined, this wine should be cellared for 4 years, and then enjoyed over the ensuing 6+ years. This note is the result of tastings I did in Burgundy between January 7 and January 29. The wine was tasted from cask, not bottle. Pinot Noir, a fragile varietal, reacts poorly to fining, filtration, and careless bottling techniques, I recommend caution when considering buying a red burgundy based on cask samples. I called it as I tasted it, and hope the bottled wine reflects the quality of the samples I was provided. At my tasting of the Robert Kacher portfolio, where all the Burgundy winemakers he represents were present, a hush fell over the room when Dugat's wines were poured. A self-effacing, modest man, Dugat smiled uncomfortably as each of the winemakers, all stars in their own right, came to congratulate him on the spectacular quality of his wines. Importer Kacher feels Dugat's 1995s are slightly better than his 1993s, including the otherworldly Griotte Chambertin. I believe they are stunning, benchmark wines. Importer: Robert Kacher Selections, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 832-9083.